When Does It Stop?

Massillon's taxman, David Hersher, is 'frustrated.' Taxman Hersher has proposed yet another fee increase, a $1 a month storm water utility fee, $2 a month for businesses, which would be added to our sewer bills.

"Hersher said he was frustrated that concerns about the legislation have not been discussed in council committee sessions" (The Independent, October 5, 2010).

Taxman Hersher is a big fan of raising fees. A fee increase is just government-speak for a tax increase. When Taxman Hersher was first sworn in as a new council member, he couldn't wait to raise sewer rates. Heck, he proposed the increase in early 2008. Now he wants a "storm water utility fee" of a $1 per month. It will generate another $160,000 annually for the city, money which we all know the city administration will use exclusively for "storm water projects," and won't divert for anything else.

The Taxman ran into some obstacles at last Monday's council meeting. Only two members of council supported his plan, the Taxman himself, and consummate, bedrock, loyal to the death rubber stamp Paul Manson.

Taxman Hersher claims to have made a "good faith effort" to discuss the issue (The Independent, October 5, 2010).

What's to discuss? It's a tax increase.

Of course, this was David Hersher's idea, all by himself, with nobody urging him to do it. Just like when he was first elected, and decided that sewer fees were too low, he saw the light, without any prodding from anyone else, and decided a storm water utility fee was desperately needed.

David, you were hung out to dry. By whom, we can only speculate. And if our guess is correct, he has manipulated councilmen smarter than yourself since before you were born. One could say that he has done it for life.

Even Donnie Peters was opposed to the taxman's plan;

"When does it stop, he said. The government, the EPA keep coming up with things that cost you more money. When does it stop?" (The Independent, October 5, 2010).

Despite the obvious fact that Councilman Peters needs a civics lesson, because Donnie, again, you are the government. You are the city government. It stops when you vote to stop it. The taxman had no support for his plan. That didn't, however, stop him from going blindly and blissfully forward.

When does it stop?