Jackson council did not stand up to Mayor Seda on tax increase

Now that the Regular Republicans have in-creased our taxes by 30 percent - without the least bit of hesitation, remorse or shame - it is critical that the residents of Jackson focus on the actions of this regime and respond accordingly at the polls.

The budget proposed by (Mayor) Mark Seda included the largest tax increase in the history of Jackson, raising the property taxes of residents by 30 percent. This Township Council - Stallone, Ingram, Gudaitis, Updegrave and Martin - was faced with a simple choice.

They could represent and protect the interests of the residents who they were elected to serve and fight the mayor and his tax increase, or they could represent and protect the interests of their political bosses, Mark Seda, Bill Santos and Dick Borys, and fully support the tax increase.

What choice did Stallone, Ingram, Gudaitis, Updegrave and Martin make?

This Township Council did not cut one cent from the tax increase. They did not challenge or oppose any aspect of the budget. They did not cast one vote in opposition to the largest tax increase in the history of Jackson.

Rather, like obedient children, Stallone, Ingram, Gudaitis, Updegrave and Martin simply repeated the Seda-Santos script and were unable and unwilling to challenge Seda and Santos on our behalf.

They unanimously adopted the tax increase. Their conduct begs the question: who is representing the taxpayers at town hall? It certainly is not the Regular Republicans.

The Regular Republicans assume we have short memories. They assume we will forget the lies they told us about "tax cuts" and "fiscal responsibility" during their campaign. They assume we will forget the impact of this 30 percent tax increase on our homes and families. They assume we will forget that we were taxed by Mr. Seda without representation by our Township Council.

Will we forget? What we say at the polls in May 2008 will be the answer.

Robert Schiappacasse

for the Jackson Tea Party

Jackson