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Dear Editor:
The exodus of East Liverpool residents has continued over the years for many reasons, but those who have been elected to our local government over the decades have refused to look in the mirror to see the reasons for this decline.
These politicians and appointees have gone out of their way to create an unfriendly environment for business and residents. They continue to come up with creative ways to extract more and more money from business and the local community to continue their spending habits.
We have unsustainable pension and benefit packages for city workers. We coerce private businesses into coming up with funds to pave the River Road. We charge local businesses tipping fees to transport their products through the city. They demand that everyone who works in the city pay the full city income tax rate regardless of their place of residence or the fact that many are charged with double taxation in the community they reside. We charge a franchise fee from the local cable company of which the cable company simply passes on to us. We negotiate aggregation agreements with a utility supplier of which all of us can save at least 10-20 percent more with a simple 10-minute phone call.
Did the city administration even think that a recent proposed increase in the city income tax rate had a minute chance of passing?
Recently, the city has come up with a scheme to extract more money from city residents using speed cameras in the guise of safety. Don't be fooled, it's all about the money.
If city officials were that interested in our safety they would have repaired or replaced every street light along the approaches to the Jennings Randolph Bridge. They call it a win-win scenario because it won't cost the city any money. It will only cost the city residents money. The city water department is looking for money of their own. Maybe you've heard they are looking for a "34 percent" rate increase over the next 3 years. No, I didn't forget to put a decimal point in that number. I wish all of us could simply insist that our employers increase our wages whenever our spending exceeds our income.
Above are just a few examples of why our government officials don't get it. The census numbers in East Liverpool will continue to decline as they try to extract more and more money from those of us who remain. I'm sure there have been numerous times where investors have taken a quick look at East Liverpool and simply moved on to a more business-friendly environment.
City officials don't ask us what we think. They are arrogant enough to think they know what's best for us more than we do.
I think it would be interesting for others to share their opinions with our city officials.
As children, we were taught the virtues of listening. Maybe it's time for those elected officials that are entrusted with spending our money to do the same.
Richard W. Bangor
East Liverpool