I was surprised after reading in Thursday’s paper that Kate Troll implied that after 10 years, we would be grateful to the seven Assembly members who had the “wherewithal of making these changes (senior tax exemption reductions) and making the tough decisions.” She is also the Assembly member who recently indicated that these issues should not be divisive.
She is personally responsible for helping to create this divisive situation by raising taxes on just one segment of the Juneau economy — seniors. She is personally responsible for seniors now leaving Juneau, seniors buying their cars in Seattle (hope Stanley Ford is reading this), seniors refusing to volunteer as they had in the past, and a feeling of disconnect between seniors and their local government.
As I have said before, Juneau seniors are willing to share in developing solutions to Juneau’s economic concerns. However, ramming a tax increase down their throats and forcing a “needs” based tax exemption on all seniors is creating a permanent rift in our community. Somehow the Assembly decided that if you make $1 over the $50,000 threshold, you are filthy rich.
Seniors are also aware that previous and present Assembly members pushed the Legislature to do away with the senior property tax exemption requirement. Maybe after 10 years we will thank her for that too. Unfortunately, that issue is coming back again this next legislative session.
Seniors, there is only one way you are going to get fair treatment out of your Assembly. Vote for a redirection and commitment to seniors as being an integral part of our community by electing Mary Becker, Norton Gregory and Beth Weldon to the Assembly.
The only way to get the Assembly to reinstate the tax exemption and protect your property tax exemption is to vote for candidates who truly value the senior population in our great city. If the Assembly decides to eventually phase out the exemption and grandfather in those seniors who were promised these benefits when they decided to retire, we are willing to discuss those options.
However, whether or not you agree with my position, please get out and vote.
Ron Somerville,
Juneau