To the editor:
In response to Dennis and Diane Frederick’s letter in (‘All is not created equal! We don’t want to move!? The Citizen, Oct. 27, page 8):
We live in a democracy. Goodrich government must be responsive to the majority of citizens. Citizens are able to express their opinion in an orderly manner at the village council meetings. If an opinion is not shared by the majority of village citizens as determined by their elected representatives, the opinion is not adopted.
Goodrich employees are deserving of the raises they received. Should all Michigan government employees who are performing unsatisfactorily be deprived of increases during economic downturns? Should union members have their negotiated increases cancelled? Should employees be denied increases because retirees do not receive pension increases? Why were there no complaints when Atlas Township granted their employees increases?
The current village council has cut taxes 30 percent. Few would consider such action to be reckless and irresponsible.
Michigan taxation and assessment practices are determined by the state constitution and state laws. Goodrich does not have the legal authority to develop their own taxation policies and practices.
Individuals with economic hardships have the right to go before the board of review to request an exemption or adjustment in their taxes.
Your letter states, ?… Greg Tankersley is trying to encourage the residents to see what is happening before the taxes are raised beyond the cut we received…?. No taxes are being raised. Goodrich’s budget is balanced. The village is not permitted by law to have a budget that is not balanced. Municipal accounting practices are dictated by the state and differ somewhat from business practices. Budgets are established annually, and the budget meetings are open to the public. The accounting practices dictated by the state can be observed in use. If you have an item that you want included or deleted from the budget, bring it to the budget meeting for consideration.
Retroactive wage increases are common among certain industries. Our school teachers were just granted retroactive increases in their new contract. The UAW contracts have had such increases in the past.
The majority of the voters in Michigan voted for Proposal A which assesses taxes based on a concept called taxable value. Mortage lenders and real estate agents are familiar with this concept or you can contact the assessor at the Atlas Township Hall for a detailed explanation. Not all homes will be taxed the same under this concept.
If you have maintenance items that you have personal knowlege of which require DPW attention, please advise the village office. The village is unable to respond without timely notice and specifics.
Another quote, ?… All is not created equal!…? I agree. Our founding fathers did not intend to create a socialist or communist society. Taxation based upon value was determined to be the fairest method.
Call the village hall with your questions. Any citizen is welcome to attend the village council meetings and express their opinions in accordance to the procedures.
Get all the facts first before you sign the recall petition.
Darcy Peterman
Goodrich