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Dear Editor:
Tuesday’s election returns won’t be finalized until Nov. 15, but one thing is certain:
The Carmel Establishment heard the voters’ concern about Carmel’s $1.4 billion debt.
One successful candidate reported the No. 1 issue heard was “debt.” Presumably, the other successful candidates got the same message.
And, it’s understandable. Once voters looked beyond City Hall rhetoric and municipal secrecy, once they got a taste of the actual numbers (thanks to the State of Indiana Department of Local Government Finance), they started asking questions.
That three council seats now will be occupied by avowed fiscally responsible adults, the immature projects and visionary impulses of the remaining officials have to be on guard.
Voters approved increasing their taxes to provide a safer environment for school children. If voters are just anti-taxes, how did that happen?
Mature, adult voters understand that, are willing to pay and, in the final analysis, know the $1.4 billion will be paid by taxpayers – either in direct or indirect taxes, or in higher rents, home prices and the costs of goods and services they buy in Carmel.
No magic in that. Despite the best efforts of the bureaucrats and puppets who refuse to release factual data and hide behind loopholes in the Freedom of Information Act, voters instinctively know Santa Claus has passed on to his eternal reward. Debts are left for us to pay.
For now, congratulations to the voters and shame on those 80 percent of eligible voters who didn’t. Either way, the people have spoken.
Bill Shaffer
Carmel