To the Editor:

My letter is in regards to “FRANKLIN CONSIDERING TAX INCREASE.” In my opinion, any property tax increase should be the last resort to raise revenue and not the first. While this is probably the easiest and quickest way for the the city to raise revenue, it can have terrible implications for citizens that are on fixed incomes i.e. welfare, disability, social security and working poor.

I have heard stories of retired couples on social security that have been made homeless or had to sell the homes that they have lived in their entire lives because they couldn’t pay the property taxes. Imagine the city government having the power force a citizen out of their home because the property tax burden became more then they could absorb. Let that sink in!

Many property owners, including myself, have rented our properties below the market value, providing a great value to our tenants. It would be a tremendous hardship if these citizens already struggling with making ends meet were to be hit with a rent increase resulting from the city raising taxes. Furthermore, I would like the City Manager and the City Council to address the question of when is “enough is enough” in regards to high taxes decreased services and the burden the are placing on us?

And I don’t care about those other cities and their tax rates. Has the City Manager and City Council ever sat down and seriously considered all the taxes we pay and not just income taxes? I have and it’s staggering! Most people might be surprised that more then two months of income goes to taxes in some form.

President Calvin Coolidge said taxes are inherently evil because, “even before a man has a chance to collect his pay, feed his family and secure his portion of the American dream the government is in his pocket.” I hope the City Manager and City Council will consider the people and look at ways to reduce spending, lower taxes and explore other ways to raise revenue that would bring job creators to the city and not create a hardship for its already overtaxed citizens.

James J. Greger
Franklin