We citizens are being asked to levy a hefty, permanent tax upon ourselves; one that will only go up, and never down. Government might like a tax so much, it would probably ask for another.

First, let's consider this critical need: Fiscally responsible leadership; sorely missing from our town council. Time and time again this council has shown fiscal irresponsibility in big ways. They are simply too comfortable throwing large sums of our money at problems without thinking things through (or worse).

The Park Place developer’s fees being overlooked smelled very fishy from the beginning, as fishy and foul as a stinking, proposed, not-so-crystal lagoon in our beautiful Fountain Park. Thank God that fantastical pipedream was harpooned in the court of public opinion. Yet our $39,000 was allowed to sail through to total wastage for a worthless, boilerplate consultant’s report with surprising results: “Project not economic.” A trained monkey could have reasoned that from the beginning. Instead, citizens indicated this, apparently ignored.

The developer sued the town over his $453,000 fees, as his massive, four-story behemoths rose skyward over our fair, quaint avenue (the tutti-frutti-painted giants will provide some shade, anyway). Later, his fees were paid. But at what legal cost to us? $50,000? $100,000?

A new fire station, $600,000 over budget, “reluctantly accepted” by town council? Did we provide no specs? An overbuilt, over-styled Taj Mahal with large community meeting facility (we already have one!). Contractor dictated; government complied.

Now a “magnificent entryway” concept at the foot of our beautiful downtown avenue? Are you kidding me? We are not a theme park. We have a tasteful, beautiful entryway greeting us with tranquil, attractive, smaller fountains and soothing, artistic, grassy median. And the fountain, our spectacular centerpiece, let’s not desecrate that.

No tax! Leadership, foresight, wise tax-spending instead.