March 29, 2024

Warning to Newton tax payers

Get ready tax-payers of Newton. City “leaders” are looking at a levy increase to hire two more police officers to combat the increase in property crimes throughout Newton.

I believe they are part of the problem via the quality of people they have recruited to live here. They are also looking to create a new “utility” for storm water run-off. This is known as a “rain tax.” We have had so many new regulations, ordinances, fees and fines rammed down our throats in the past few years it makes your head spin. I think we have to ask permission to break wind nowadays. Newton’s motto ought to be, “there’s a tax for that,” or “there’s an ordinance for that.”

Another point: fire department is buying an older truck and putting a plow on it to move their own snow. Why isn’t city crews doing it and have firemen shovel the walks? City likes to spend money, that’s for sure. Lot’s of high salaries to go around. Why is it, we have to live in a certain area to vote at a particular place, or to run for city government, yet the very people who propose all these new rules and ordinances, are not required to live here under the same rules? It used to be a requirement that was changed awhile back.

This used to be a laid-back little town. Now we are no better than the metro without all the amenities, if that’s your thing. Taxes are high and going higher, as is crime.

Shawn James

Newton