Commentary by Samuel Strait – October 9, 2022 Recently I had the opportunity to talk with a couple of NO on T and U voters who spoke about supporting the sales tax increase levied by County and City governments. The general impression I gained from those conversations is that both governments have worked overtime in casting a picture of financial doom and gloom over their inability to provide the most essential services to the areas residents. The County and the City have claimed to be unable to furnish adequate policing, fire protection, or emergency services without the relatively minor amount of funding that each Measure, "S" and "R" , have been used to supplement the City and County's coffers to fund these services over the last eighteen months. This seems to be the "talking points" being circulated through the community along with the message that taxes are necessary to fund government services that could "never be managed" by individuals alone. The conversation inevitably turns to "its but a few pennies on the dollar, hardly a significant amount and look at what has been accomplished already". When the question is asked, " what accomplishments are you referring to?" the silence is deafening. Most will point to the theater of the City's charade on H and 9th Streets, but have little else to offer. Clearly, this is the extent of the impact most have seen after eighteen months of Measure "S" and "R" spending, because most cannot point to any improvements from police, fire or emergency services. Most that continue to support the increased sales tax are clearly unaware of that large number of the citizens in the County that either do not work for either the City, the County, or have a vested interest in seeing the taxes remain in place. They haven't acquainted themselves with the obvious. People on the lower end of the financial scale have endured rising costs from policies on the National, and State levels, and now are contending with those on the local level. They do not end in the situation of not having enough to buy school supplies or clothing for their children before school starts. They do not have to contend with being elderly and unable to afford medication. They do not have to make the choice between food for a beloved pet and themselves. They haven't a concern over paying to heat ones house this winter, or buy fuel for their car to get to work. It is one thing to be "cavalier" about the things that government claims it needs, but when times are difficult for the greatest part of the community, government should be able to tighten it's belt as well. Measures "S" and "R" are not the actions of a compassionate government, nor is it a sign of "love and compassion" for those that struggle in life. People who are voting in November need to ask themselves, "Is the health of local government in such a crisis state, that they cannot do without the few dollars taken from those in need and still survive?" The answer to that might be that Measure "R" funding represents less than one percent of the County's over all $182 million dollar budget. The City would loose a mere 4.6% of its $43 million dollar budget. The community pool might have to have reduced hours, Crescent Fire and Rescue might continue to be all volunteer, and Front Street will have to wait for some grant funding. The County would likely be completely unaffected. A recent report by the County's Auditor-Controller painted a rosy financial picture of the County's finances. Then again, have either the City or the County made any meaningful progress in creating a measurable improvement in local fire, police and emergency services? Are law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency services changed in any way that would reassure the public that recognizable progress had been made? That was the promise in the lead up to the 2020 passage of both measures. Have either government fixed the street in front of your house or business that made a measurable difference? Is the Community Pool or Beach Front Park the center of your universe? Has the County made any progress to address any vital infrastructure project? The response from those that are in need of some "love and compassion" from their local government was a universal "NO!" So, for those that still think emptying the pockets of the local poor, the elderly, or the disenfranchised and claiming a "tourist" will pick up the tab, where is your "love and compassion" for those people? Measures "R" and "S" have had a devastating effect on the ability of many in Del Norte County to survive. One would think that the vested interests of those that think local government is in financial crisis would have some consideration for those that are actually in financial crisis. It is one thing to talk about the crisis state of vital government services when that crisis pales in comparison for many who go without. All the love and compassion in the community will not make that go away. There continues to be a huge "divide" in this area over those that understand what is meaningful for the local population and those that are unable to have any concept of who a sales tax increase affects in the most negative of ways. For those citizens, I ask where is your love and compassion for those that have not fared well in the age of Measure "S" and "R"? Do you think that you might find some between now and November 8th? Vote YES on Measures "T" and "U" to lower sale tax and be that outlier of love and compassion for those that are looking at a bleak future in this County. That's YES on "T" and "U" for lower sales tax in Del Norte County.