From Bob's Desk--
I hate more taxes and I know from my e-mail that you do too. So what does that do to those of us who also hate crime?

I know that none of us can be happy with our designation of highest crime community in the state.

It doesn’t do any of us any good to complain unless we are willing to do something about the problem.

I don’t know how many times I have been with a group and a major part of the discussion was about the high rate of crime. That was especially true when my neighbor had his car stolen from right in front of the house and I don’t live in a high crime area!

The tax that I refer to is the 1.5 percent increase that we are going to vote on this election.

That money raised from this tax will go toward the hiring of an additional 22 police officers and a bunch of other needs we have been looking for improving.

That would take the rate from 6% to 7.5% and generate half of the $3.5 million we need to get the things done Police Chief Granato says he will do.

Granato tells us that the other half will come from other fees already in place.

The chief also admits that this won’t generate enough to get everything done but it will be a solid start.

One item of interest to all of us is that the average home owner will see an increase of approximately $3.60 a month to their utility bills.

I know I can speak for quite a few of you viewers when I say that the crime problem in our community has to be stopped.

Although this won’t by itself get that done it is a start and we have to start somewhere don’t we?

My mind is made up. I’m with Chief Granato, his is a tough job and if $3.60 a month will help him get this done, I say "Go get 'em Sam!"