On Aug 7 voters of Orion Township and Village are being asked to support a fire millage renewal of .9916 mills for four years, a police renewal of 1.9832 for a period of four years and an additional police millage of 1.0168 mills for a period of four years.
We believe public safety is always at the top of the list and both the fire and police have managed their finances well. They have worked hard to get the most out of their staff and give the best protection with the dollars allotted to them. We urge you to vote YES on all three of these millages, so fire and police protection may stay at the current staffing levels and safety desired by the residents of Orion.
As for the proposed 10-year 0.2 mill tax to help support the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) we are urging voters to vote NO. We believe taxes are for public necessities such as roads, police and fire services, schools, water and sewage systems, not luxuries such as art museums.
Funding for the DIA is not something that should be forced upon taxpayers everywhere, but remain in the hands of private donors and patrons who utilize and appreciate the museum.
The DIA charges $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for kids ages 6-17. The Henry Ford Museum charges $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $12.50 for kids ages 5-12. Perhaps it’s time for the DIA to raise the price of admission.
If arguing against this isn’t strong enough from a tax principle alone, how about the fact the CEO/director makes more than $400,000 per year? That’s more than the President of the United States and we find that absolutely absurd.
Taxing is the easy way out of creative fundraising ideas and we stand against the undercharging and lost revenues being placed upon the backs of taxpayers.
We encourage Orion residents vote YES for fire and police protection and to vote NO on the DIA tax at the polls on Aug. 7.
– TSK