Lower West Haven Taxes: Hundreds of W. Haveners rally over taxes

This New Haven Register article summarizes it well; explains how people cannot afford the huge tax increases. They quote two people whose taxes have gone up $1000 and $3000 - I know West Shore residents whose taxes went up by $6000... and they are hard working people who are wondering why they are working just to pay for a house.

It talks about residents who live in their childhood home, but who no longer are going to be able to afford to live there.

The article identifies the rally organizers as Robert J. Symmes, Brent Coscia and Paul Kaplowe, who are residents of West Haven, and who head up the "West Haven Taxpayer Initiative".

It identifies the purpose of the petition:

The petition asks the City Council to set the tax rate at no more than 24.50 mills and appropriate at least $79.38 million to the Board of Education and $13.48 million to the Department of Public Safety for fiscal 2006-07

and finally discusses Mayor Picard's position:

Picard said before the rally that he is hard pressed to comprehend how the city would achieve the proposed budget amendments. "A couple of people have come up and asked me to sign the petition and I’ve said I would if they could show me how to do it," he said.

Why not consolidate the Fire districts? Yes, we need multiple fire houses, but do we REALLY need three chiefs?

Why not use the $3 million dollars that Walmart paid for the Sawmill Road property to partially help mitigate the tax burden? I understand that its a one time payment... but why not use PART of it to help this year, save part for next year, and put part towards the debt?

Why not ATTRACT businesses to West Haven -- and actually finish developing the Sawmill Road corridor?

Why not get movement on the Railroad Station? State Money has been allocated towards this -- why not get businesses to invest in the area!

The point is that there IS money that could partially be used to pay off debt, AND partially used to mitigate the costs of the budget... the debt doesn't have to be erased in one fell swoop!