HOLYOKE MASSACHUSETTS WARD 5 CITY COUNCILOR

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU AS YOUR WARD 5 CITY COUNCILOR! I promise to work hard and do the best job I can for you and Holyoke SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT It was Christmas Eve and the City Council was once again debating the tax rate due to a Mayoral veto of the original rate. During the debate, figures had been put forth describing the effect of the different rates on the total tax bill of the average homeowner. It had been made clear that the taxes for the average homeowner would increase at least $200.00 regardless of which rate we chose. The reason we have this debate every year is that Holyoke has a split tax rate. The average tax rate would be 23.06 per thousand for every tax payer if we had a single rate. The split tax rate places a greater tax burden on business owners rather than homeowners. So anything over 1.0 is a shift to the business owners. Last year we approved a 1.68 tax rate for home owners. The Mayor’s tax panel recommended shifting toward 1.5 and our Mayor recommended 1.65. This year the city council approved 1.67. Late in the discussion, Councilor Rebecca Lisi made a statement that I was wrong when I said the difference in the taxes was $50-$55.00 (per average home owner). She took my comment out of context. It was clear if one followed the debate, that I was referring to last year and comparing the effects of one tax rate to another (from year to year). Other councilors understood the point I was making. The tax rate of 1.68 that we passed last year (2010) increased the average home owner’s tax bill by $50 more than it would have been (if the higher proposed rate passed). We had the same debate this year. It was correctly pointed out by another councilor that the difference we were debating was $87.00 when looking at the Mayor’s proposed rate. I was referring to the differences between the proposed rates this year with those of last year. The rate that the Mayor proposed would have “saved” the average homeowner approximately $87.00 on their tax bill compared to the 1.6 rate. In the end, the approved rate of 1.67 will result in a tax increase of $200.00 for the average homeowner and almost $800.00 on average for business. As a councilor who has consistently voted against excessive spending, this is too much. It is time to reduce our spending and live within our means. Both homeowners and businesses agree on one thing. Taxes are too high. If Councilor Lisi wants to say I am wrong, she should get her facts straight first. I have a reputation for doing my homework and making well informed comments. While I do not object to a difference of opinion, I do object to a misrepresentation of my comments. My approach to city government comes from the goal of positive growth for homeowners and businesses alike. After all many of our business owners are homeowners too. We are all in this together. As your Ward 5 City Councilor, I will continue to represent you: By hearing concerns and ideas from residents. By serving on committees to make things happen. By making informed decisions. By keeping you informed on issues and decisions that affect you. Getting to know Linda: Professional Profile   Contact Linda   Support Linda Please feel free to contact me by phone 210-6077 (cell) 533-6498 (home) or use the Contact form with any questions you may have. Thank you, Linda

4 important local issues, my perspective: