Voice of the People

It is my opinion that the talked about South Shore extension is extremely unfair to the majority of taxpayers in any and all counties that would be affected by it. I saw in the paper that there were to be no fare increases during the year 2008 for the people that use the train. It seems that they don't want to have to pay for their own ride to work. I have to endure fare increases on a daily basis buying fuel for my ride to work. Anyone that drives can attest to this at any gas pump.

I also saw that the extension would only benefit 800 people who commute to Chicago to work. To expect tens of thousands of people to pay for 800 rider's way to work is totally unjustified. If the vast majority are expected to foot the bill for this then there is no reason why everyone in the counties should not expect to have the taxpayers help pay their way to work too. I could save a bundle each year if all the taxpayers were to supply a means for me to get to my job each day.

I have read that many say how tourism would greatly help the area. I disagree with this and think it is a simple ploy for the ones that support the idea. I can't quite grasp how a tourist would benefit me by coming here and buying an antique, or art item from a local merchant. It may be argued that the sale of items helps support the tax base. The only tax I know of is sales tax and it goes to the state.

When it comes to jobs we have all seen just how greatly the counties, towns, and townships are affected when the local steel mills are lost. Maybe we should instead create a new steel mill tax that would ensure they continue to operate thus keeping the tax base funded and jobs in the area strong. In fact, the numbers of people that work the mills across the three northwest counties number in the thousands, not just hundreds. Then, if you consider the jobs that are in the area from different businesses that support the mills, the job numbers go off the charts. If you think a steel mill tax sounds dumb then you agree with me. A steel mill tax is as dumb as a tax to fund 800 people’s commute to work each day.

Michael Adams

Chesterton

Posted 1/10/2008