At the Centerville City Council meeting on Aug. 8, citizens were invited to attend and give expression to the unheard of 40 percent proposed increase in the city's taxes, which would be added onto our real estate taxes.

All attending citizens (except one) strongly and with reasoned discussion opposed the 40 percent unbelievable increase. First to speak with thoughtful objections was a senior citizen. She pointed out how even a few dollars increase each month taken from a limited income meant doing without vital necessities. Others gave well-definied and logical debate opposing the proposed increases.

After listening to the citizens who elected these council members to represent them, the council gave reason after reason to justify why they would not represent the citizens' concerns, needs or arguments.

Also the citizens added strong disapproval to the UTOPIA fiasco that the Centerville City Council had voted to burden 100 percent of its citizens with for years of additional taxes that all homeowners pay for, but which less than one-third are using. These burdensome taxes will outlast current citizens and attach to future homebuyers.

The council not only gave no credence to its citizens' concerns, but they missed a golden public relations opportunity to give support and acknowledgement to their voters and fellow citizens. They then justified their total 40 percent increase and dismissed each and every concern of the citizens, and immediately in unison voted to enact the 40 percent increase, stating they would not meet again to review and see if savings could be found to lower the increase, despite citizen pleas to have them give courtesy to the concerns and study the budget for some adjustments once more.

Had they acknowledged citizen concerns (whom they say they represent) and had agreed to meet again to review and come up with even a few savings to lower the 40 percent increase a few percentages, citizens would appreciate knowing their concerns were listened to and valued and an effort was put forth by the council to attend to their presentations.

This would let citizens know the elected council represent their voices and their interests and is not a council that dictates their own interests rather than the citizens' concerns, who elected them.

The public relations message that emerged was that "we are not your public servants, but we are your all-knowing rulers and your needs are not our needs or of value in our decisions."

The City Council's justification for not giving credence was that the 18-20 citizens who attended and spoke against the tax increase paled in comparison to the 17,000 who did not show up to object. A real slap in the face to the civic-minded concerned citizens who put aside other responsibiliites to attend and express their disapproval.

Daniel Loewen

Centerville