There are two words that really bother me about this upcoming May 15 property tax election, investment and shortfall. Both words have been used insincerely to justify why Fountain Hills government needs a blank check from taxpayers; a tax that goes on forever.

Investment sounds good, but in fact it’s nothing more than a siren’s call for “government is trying to convince you that it is a noble gesture to pay more in taxes” and, in the case of this new tax, we receive no new services.

Fountain Hills did not incur a natural disaster where the roads were irreparably damaged. It appears that town leaders have failed to do what any responsible HOA would have done, prudently reserve funds for the maintenance and repair of our roads.

The next word is shortfall, which in fact is just a synonym for overspending. Again, of all the classes of taxpayers in Fountain Hills, why does it fall to private property owners to pay for this overspending which has resulted in a rush to tax? Each visitor and resident, business or residential property owner utilizes the roads and requires public safety. Each should be equally called upon to participate in a user tax that would more fairly equalize the tax burden.

Therefore, I call upon the new mayor and town council members to convene a panel of citizens to give careful scrutiny to the matter of roads, also to consider whether it is time to look at other options for public safety. A no vote on May 15 is necessary to allow time for another approach.