Last week I wrote from the heart some of the things that are important to me. I don’t have any problem with where my heart was coming from but I should have known better about using numbers that are difficult to understand. You see, I’ll never be an accountant or a whiz in the math world and when someone such as me tries to use numbers to prove a point, there can be problems.
I have been informed that the numbers I used for the Recreation Department and the Library last week were inaccurate and misleading. There are hidden costs and there is revenue these departments bring in as well. I would correct my numbers if I had the ability, but I will not risk further misadventure there.
I still believe, that whatever the numbers are, the bottom line is that their share on my tax bill is still low and worth every penny invested in them. These two departments are jewels in this area and I still believe they are a part of my tax bill that I am more than willing to pay.
I would like to apologize for the use of the word, “Ridiculous,” concerning the allocation of funds to the Chamber by the City Council in years past as the Council was also paying for the economic development aspect of what then constituted the Chamber. Nobody believes more in economic development than I do. And another absolute here is that economic development is the best way to lower all of our tax bills.
It would be a burden on the taxpayers if that kind of money was allocated to the Chamber today as the economic development piece was removed from the Chamber’s purview. That was the gist of what I was getting at and I apologize if it was taken any other way.
The truth is that I love Caribou and I love this area and I am willing to fight for it. I need to fight smarter and with more thought. I truly understand the situation the taxpayers (myself included) are faced with and the decisions the City Council have to make. It’s tough and we are in a hard position.
At the same time, I believe in a well-rounded city that not only keeps us safe and sound and traveling the roads as safely as possible, but also one that feeds our minds and our bodies to give us all a better quality of life and selling points to those considering our area as their life destination.
By the time this comes out, the City Council’s survey will have been taken at yesterday’s election and things will be what they will be. I have built my life here. I have staked my claim by choice and I will continue to believe and fight for a brighter future and the kind of business climate and city culture that will best get us to where we need to go. I will, however, no longer try to interpret numbers that are beyond my skill level.
I’ll see you at Thursdays on Sweden tomorrow night!
Executive Director William Tasker may be reached in the CACC office at 498-6156 or email him at cacc@cariboumaine.net.
