LETTER: Making a list and checking the tax

Mayor Hornady has repeatedly told the voters that bringing the State Fair to Grand Island will not increase our property taxes. Well, she must not read the daily paper and must think the property owners don't read it either.

First it was replenishing the reserve that was going to cause a HUGE increase in our property taxes. Then is that money going to stay in the reserve? Oh No ! Any guesses on what that money will be spent on?

Next the Hall County Agricultural Society says it needs an extra $200,000 a year for "fairgrounds infrastructure improvements" and Supervisor Pam Lancaster says the only place to get that money is from property taxes.

Now in the Independent today (Aug. 4 2008) we learn that it has been proposed by Supervisor Dan Wagoner to rename the money going to Stuhr Museum to "recreation fund" so it can be diverted to go into the State Fair fund.

I want every property owner to sit down with their last property tax statement and see if you can afford an increase of 20 to 30 percent. If you rent, don't think you are off the hook. Your landlord is going to charge you more rent to help him cover the tax increase.

There has been talk of increasing taxes on motels and restaurants. That money will come out of your pocket as well every time you eat out.

I encourage everyone, property owner or renter, to sit down and make a list of all the different ways you are going to have money taken out of your pocket to fund the State Fair move. Now I want you to make a list of all, if any, of the ways that the State Fair move is going to put money back into your pocket. There is a reason that houses are on the market in Grand Island for a year or more. Potential buyers don't want to pay the outrageous property taxes.



Mary Lanfear

2128 N. Custer