January 25, 2008

"Taxpayer's pockets are empty"

By Danielle Seckler

   At the last meeting of the Big Bear Lake City Council, Liz Harris made a passionate plea for the City to support Measure M on February’s election ballot. Measure M is designed to help the Community Colleges (JC) of San Bernardino by issuing bonds for a maximum of $500 million dollars. The cost to the property owner; $19.80 per $100,000 assessed value. [Own a property assessed at $250,000? Your taxes will be increased by $49.50.] Proposition 92 wants $300 million for schools K-14, including the JCs.

   Last year the defunct pool project, lost by the biggest defeated in California history (76% against). Soon thereafter in June, the hospital bond was defeated and they wanted a little less than $10 per $100,000 assessed value.

   Has anyone every heard of the battle cry from Bill Clinton’s campaign in 1992; “it’s the economy, stupid!” We had six fires last year and even though there is snow, businesses are crying the blues. Day trippers arrive, buy a ski ticket and a pack of gum, before they leave to go back home. Many lodges, motels, and Bed and Breakfasts told Bear Valley News that they barely had 50% occupancy over the Christmas and New Year’s. The ski resorts placed most of their management positions as hourly positions, which left them crying in their pillows at night. Every storm brings new road closures from falling debris onto the highways or flooding. Utility companies are applying for increases to their rates. Let’s just do the math; costs are skyrocketing and wages are stagnant or even going lower.

   Roads, drainage, fire suppression, water, access to the hospital are just a few of the things that need to be considered, especially considering the age demographics of the valley that almost two thirds are over 50 years old.

   The college systems are changing with the Internet and video conferencing. Video conferencing allows kids to ask questions and participate in classes in real time. More kids can go to college without leaving their homes, including Harvard. Harris mentioned the video program available to students here; a high school student took classes over the interactive video system and by the time she graduated, she could enter a four year college as a junior. We think that is great.

   Building more classrooms and trade schools may work for the people off the mountaintop, but many here are saying that they put their kids through college and now they don’t want to put their kid’s children through college too. Add in the lousy economy, lack of confidence in the government and future; this is a bad time to come holding out your hand for more tax dollars. For the last couple of years, the Park District, hospital, and the City of Big Bear Lake have all come to the taxpayer for more money. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; enough is enough! I may not be able to stop the utility companies, gasoline and food profiteers, but I will not vote for anything that will raise my taxes!

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