David A. Randlett

To the editor,

In a recent letter to the editor, Christy Cunningham expressed her disbelief that anyone would lose their homes if taxes were continually increased in Laconia. I have news for Ms. Cunningham. Not all the citizens in our fine city are privileged lawyers with inherited homes. Some of us are working very hard to keep the homes that we are paying mortgages on. In my own profession, every raise I have received for the past five years has been swallowed up by increasing medical insurance costs. This means while gas prices, fuel prices, grocery prices and taxes have all gone up, I am still trying to raise a family on the same income I had five years ago!

For this reason, I am voting "YES" for the tax cap. I am also supporting Roland Maheu for Mayor, and Armand Bolduc for Ward 6 Councilor. The scare tactics of the pro-spending candidates and of this mysterious political action group running ads in the Laconia Sun just are not convincing. In fact, these ads appear to be nothing more than pages out of Matt Lahey's debate book. Mr. Lahey brags that, as Mayor, he kept taxes below the limit of the proposed tax cap. But why will he not commit to keep taxes as low now? Remember as well that this slate of Facilities Committee and School Board cronies running with the former mayor were all in favor of astronomicallyhiking our taxes to pay for a76 million dollar school project that would have become 122 million with interest. How can such candidates with caviar and champagne tastes be trusted with our hotdog and beer-budget wallets? And why all this propaganda against a tax cap proposal that has not only been approved by the Attorney General's office, but can be overridden by the council AT ANY TIME to meet the needs of the city?

The tax cap sends a message to the elitists in this community who want to turn our city into a resort for the rich. Support of the tax cap reminds our elected officials that we, the people of Laconia cannot keep affording their tax increases. On November 8th, I urge all to vote "YES" for the tax cap. I also urge all to support Roland Maheu for Mayor, and support Judy Krahulec, Harry Accornero, Mike Verhoeks, Bob Hamel and Armand Bolduc for Council. It is the safe and sane thing to do if we want to keep our city affordable.

David A. Randlett

Laconia