Voices: "I can't afford you'

June 14, 2009 08:27 pm

— In regard to “American Ramp proposes skate park at Schifferdecker” (Globe, June 2), about a $60,000 park for $29,400. Just because it’s “on sale” does not justify doing it. I can’t afford you.
Joplin City Council, I am not against the youth, I am not against the skate park. I am, however, sounding an alarm. You are positioning the city for some of the federal stimulus which is borrowed from China. Trillions! You are positioning yourselves to borrow from the Shoal Creek filter plant and, essentially, we have no say in it.
Is there anything you won’t borrow for? Please, stop. If I can’t afford it, neither can you because we are where you get your money! My Social Security and pension are for my wife and I to live on — sparingly. By the time Obama gets the “value-added tax” and you get your pet projects off the paper, do you understand (or care) what that has done to my family budget? Probably not!
To add to the problem, Empire Electric wants a rate increase. Missouri Gas Energy wants a rate increase. American Water wants a rate increase. Joplin is proposing a 50 (or 30) percent increase for Shoal Creek plant renewal. Somehow, government puts forth the thinking that you and I have loads of money that can feed its “habit.”
Maurice Filson
Joplin