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Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

YouMayBeAWinner wrote on Aug 18, 2008 8:06 PM:

" Ok then, be that way. "

WHO CARES wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:16 AM:

" TO YOU MAY BE A WINNER O.K HERES THE PUNCH LINE ONTARIO SUCKS AND YOU CAN NOT CHANGE HISTORY IF HISTORY DOES NOT WANT TO BE CHANGED "

YouMayBeAWinner wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:17 PM:

" Sorry, you are not a winner.
Who cares, think up a good punch line for our amusement and yours, it'll do you a lot of good. "

WHO CARES wrote on Aug 16, 2008 2:08 PM:

" THE CITY IS CORRUPT, AND THE ARGUS YOU CAN TRUST AT ALL,THERRE POCKETS ARE DEEP AND SO ARE THE POLITIANS,PEOPLE OF ONTARIO HAVE NO SAY EVEN WHEN THEY THINK THEY DO,ARGUS BLOGS READ THEM THE ARGUS LIKES TO PRINT ONLT WHAT CAUSES PAIN. PAY 1% OR 6% LIKE IDAHO, DOES NOT MATTER THE MONEY WILL NOT GO TO HELP ONTARIO, THE CITY WILL COME UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE OR GIVE TO THE ARGUS, THEY ARE IN EACH OTHERS POCKETS.... "

Larry wrote on Aug 8, 2008 4:12 PM:

" Oh fer cyring out loud Pat. You hold Mark's "feet to the fire" yet you and Jessica blatantly report with errors regularly and report them as facts?

I have see many article of yours and Jessica's based on one sided opinion and sources of information which include the same o same o, many of those sources friends of the mayor. This, I call bias. Why don't you two do some real reporting and actually listen to some informed sources instead of the informed ones and then maybe we wouldn't have a nutcase for a mayor. Why do you not inform the public the surplus property ( as discussed in an opinionn a few weeks back) acquired with public works funds CANNOT be sold to "pad" the general fund?

Report facts, not opinion. That goes for the Mayor as well. I personally think it is disgusting for him to sit back and let the public "think" he is doing a good job. How bout it Joe. Let the public hear about YOUR learning experience. I E you aren't as smart as you thought you were and the public deserves to hear that. You owe them! Tell them you didn't fire the ex employees. You ran them off!

And Pat? I challenge you and Jessica to find other sources of info besides the ones you do. Now THAT takes courage "

Mark wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:17 PM:

" Pat,
I'm Starting to think that had my letter been against the 1% sales tax it would have been in the paper weeks ago. "

Mark Saito wrote on Aug 8, 2008 9:56 AM:

" We discussed those numbers over two weeks ago. There are a lot of figures, and it can get confusing. I thought that was cleared up. If she has Questions she should contact me. It took me less time to do the research and put the proposal together than it is taking to get the letter in the paper. My point was to clarify a point that Katie made in reference to my letter, but that point is now moot, now that three weeks have past. "

Pat Caldwell wrote on Aug 6, 2008 4:28 PM:

" Mark,
It was my understanding there were some Discrepancies regarding numbers in your letter. I asked my reporter to try to clarify those numbers with you. I will check on the letter, though, and we'll get it in. "

Mark Saito wrote on Aug 6, 2008 2:37 PM:

" To Pat Caldwell:
Pat why has my letter to the city council not come out in the paper after i submitted it over three weeks ago. I handed it directly to you and you told me you would get it in right away in the community comment section. I wanted to clarify an article that Katie Pizza wrote that hacked up my letter. I have talked to the reporter three separate times so she could understand the information in my letter. Why does it take so long to get a letter published? "

Tim wrote on Jun 5, 2008 2:22 PM:

" Hey jim way great comments, way to step it up with some great ideas. Quit saying the same thing over and over. Dumb and Dunber??????????? Who is the dumb one. "

Billy Joe wrote on May 26, 2008 1:46 PM:

" I have a great idea the City Council should outlaw the sales of the Argus in Ontario and allow a real newspaper with a real editor and journalists to open in town. This would be the best thing to happen to Ontario in 100 years. "

Jim wrote on May 26, 2008 1:39 PM:

" Hey Pat, get any good ideas from the village idiots yet?? "

Chris wrote on May 26, 2008 7:21 AM:

" OK Jim we get your point. You did say it twice in a two hour span and no one else even commented on it, so go ahead and move on there Jim. By saying good luck Ontario, does that mean you dont live here? If so then go visit some other site. "

Jim wrote on May 24, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Lets face it talk is cheap, the new Councilors had all the answers when they were running for office. In two years now all they have accomplished is run off a lot of really good people. Kind of like shuffling the chairs on the Titanic isnt it? Good luck Ontario you are going to need it. "

Fred to Ted wrote on May 24, 2008 6:54 AM:

" Now there is a laugher, when did the bibrary or pool ever make money? The reason this town is such a mess is our collective IQ doesnt seem to pass 100, get a clue people. "

Jim wrote on May 24, 2008 6:40 AM:

" The Ontario City Council wouldnt know a good idea if it hit them right between the eyes. Good luck Ontario, try electing some leaders for a change and then watch things start to happen instead of dumb and dunber. "

Since you all are going to the fridge... wrote on May 3, 2008 10:12 PM:

" ...would someone please get me a cold one? "

Fred wrote on May 1, 2008 12:13 PM:

" Whoever "where will it stop" is, you need to understand that the painful pinching is taking place now because we don't have a sales tax in place to spread the pain around a little more evenly. People who live in Ontario now share all of the burden through fees and taxes. Can't some of you myopic people see that all the sales tax does is allow people who use the services the we residents already pay for to help us pay for those services. Thus we may be able to see an actual reduction in the fees and taxes that we are now paying or at least we will avoid the need to raise those fees. This is not rocket science. I have lived in 3 states that have a sales tax and one that doesn't. Government finances are waaaaaay more stable in the states with a sales tax. I realize that for many Oregonians, not having a sales tax is a sacred cow. Well, in my opinion, it's time to have a barbecue. "

Where will it stop wrote on May 1, 2008 7:44 AM:

" Sure, give them 1% and next year they'll try pinching you for a little more. "

Grandma on S.S. wrote on Apr 30, 2008 1:43 PM:

" Thank you Allan for the explanation on the 1% tax. It's sounding more and more like the least cumbersome and the best way to go. (My opinion)I hope it gets to and through the Council, and the community gets a a full and fair explanation of the pros and cons of such a tax. The last time we were offered the tax as an "ALTERNATIVE" way to fix our problems, it was followed by a saturation of fliers against the tax without a balance of pros. I am not ready to lose the Library, Pool, Transportation, and (etc. etc.) I can see now that the reasons given to us to vote against the tax last time, didn't change the situation at all. The change of the council didn't fix our problems, now did it? It's time for the council to Cr..p or get off the pot. P.S. Most of my peers tip 10-15% on our food, I don't think 1% will put us in the poor house. "

Michael Allen wrote on Apr 29, 2008 6:31 PM:

" Bill, Ryan Thomas, maybe Joe or whoever he is, seems to be a bit of a....how can I put this.....a liar! He doesn't know who he is or what he does, so he is not only insignificant, but nonexistent. He's a real No Where Man. I can't even make him my beer wench of the week, cause he doesn't exist! I'll go get my own cold one. "

will wrote on Apr 29, 2008 2:42 PM:

" Tom, I stand corrected, but my interpretation of bill's remark was that Debbie was making a killing from money taken at the door not just from wages. So in that case I guess bill should include ALL the staff by name and since there are quite a large number of them, I guess he should tell us how much of a killing he's talking about names and numbers.Don't you think? "

Tom wrote on Apr 29, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Dear Will, that is not slander, but i agree that bill is an idiot. Do you know what slander even is? It is a little different then saying someone makes alot of money. "

Will the real Bill stand up wrote on Apr 29, 2008 8:59 AM:

" Dear Bill?,alias Ryan Thomas?, business owner?, not a business owner?, Payette resident?, Ontario resident?, or just an ordinery worker?. So far I haven't paid attention to your delutional rants since they seemed bogus and I considered them rants from a kook. However, when you say that Debbie is "making a killing", from the pool, that is slander. Unless you have proof of your irrisponsible remarks, you do not have the legal right to express your accusations from your closet. Why not be a man /woman come out of hiding, and address the Finance Committee with your concerns? They couuld use the comic relief :O) "

It is only obvious wrote on Apr 29, 2008 6:35 AM:

" What is the big debate??? Really? A dollar for every $100?? I run a business on the side and while sales taxes are a pain, why not make my out of town customers foot some of the city bill. The average bill from one of my customers is probably $200. You think they're gonna complain about $2? I doubt they'll even notice. And why not tax food? You think Payette county residents don't buy food at Walmart? My wife runs a daycare, and my monthly food bill is about $1000. I have no problem paying an extra $10. And I know the economy is tight, but most people will not be effected by such a small amount. "

bill wrote on Apr 28, 2008 1:26 PM:

" the users are also the citizins, ontario resident. You say i dont care because the pool doesnt make me money, it doesnt make anyone money exept for debbie makes a killing. Im not a business owner i work just like almost everyone else "

Another Ontario Citizen wrote on Apr 27, 2008 7:51 PM:

" Bill wrote a few blogs back about being worried of losing business because of the 1%. It is too bad soooo many business owners around town only care about their pocket book. They are benefiting by not having a sales tax. They don’t care if we have a pool or library. Those items do not make them money. How many communities of a population of 11,000 bring in over $300,000,000 in retail sales???? Malheur County Retails sale = $334,000,000, whereas Payette County = $86,000,000. Who has to pay for the impacts caused by the users of Ontario? The impacts are far out pacing the tax base of Ontario. Make the users pay not the Citizens. "

Michael Allen wrote on Apr 27, 2008 9:06 AM:

" If and when a 1% sales tax is proposed. I think the following caveats should be attached to it:
1. No sales tax on food (groceries, not restaurant food. I also believe that liquor sales are exempt by state law.) or prescription drugs. Not only is that amoral,it's also too much of a burden on our seniors, not matter where they reside. The sales tax should also be exempt on gas, it's too expensive as it is, car and truck sales, sales of farm supplies and equipment and some services, such as life, health and auto insurance and any medical services. Collecting sales tax on some services might prove to be very cumbersome, but I don't think that all services should be exempt. This segment will be the most complicated one to figure out what industry should collect the tax and which industry is exempt.
2. Once the budget is established by the budget committee and approved by the city council, I believe any revenue amount that is collected through the sales tax which is greater than the budgeted revenue, should be returned to the citizens of Ontario. This could be done through credits to our water and sewer bills or maybe through some other projects that would enhance the quality of life here. I prefer direct rebates to some other tax that I'm currently paying.
3. There definitely has to be a separate measure placed on the ballot that would amend the Ontario City Charter. As it stands now, the Council has the power and authority to establish and/or raise virtually any kind of tax allowed by state statute, including a sales tax. The Charter should be amended so that the only way the sales tax or any other tax for that matter, could be created, modified or increased, would be through a vote of the people. In all reality, this is the most important segment of the whole sales tax proposal.

I'm pretty sure this is how the revenue committee's proposal for a sales tax will ultimately look, but what do I know? I'm just one guy. Oh, and one more thing, no tax on beer...that's just Un-American! "

Larry wrote on Apr 26, 2008 7:36 PM:

" Amazing! Bill! Poses as an Ontario businessman...then attempts to sabotage the dialog by boo hooing about Ontario's "sale tax idea". Aside from our own unelected political entity, we have people like you that may claim to have a vested interest in the viability in our community. But do you really? Did you graduate from OHS in the 70's. Did you buy a home, live here, pay taxes. Graduate your children here? Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr are you an Idaho business owner, one that has waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to much influence? So much so, our community foots the bill. Until then...... why so much interest in our politics? "

Larry wrote on Apr 26, 2008 12:01 PM:

" Internet? Never heard of it "

Ontario resident and taxpayer wrote on Apr 25, 2008 5:14 PM:

" Bill or Mr.Thomas or?? now that you know who Michael Ellen is, let me tell you about Larry. He is very involved in the politics of Ontario and probably knows where all the bones are buried. He also works for the City. So he is making a difference in more ways than people who either don't live in Ontario or won't come to the meetings to voice their opinion do. If everyone would read the introduction to this blog and stick to the subject, I think all of us could help make a difference. As a resident of Ontario, I would like to see the 1% tax on the ballot, but not if it's going to be an extra burden. So the idea of lowering my property taxes or my utility bill would be a good incentive for me to vote for the tax. This is one IDEA that Michael can tell me if it might work or not and the reasons why. Time's -a - wasting children let's stop being childish, you can get MY attention without being rude. The Argus was generous to allow us this space (which some of us are abusing by being offensive) so we can have serious diologue, which was the purpose of this blog in the first place. May the Force be with you. Isn't it wonderful to live in this amazing country!!!! "

bill wrote on Apr 25, 2008 11:12 AM:

" sorry larry i see you are really makin a difference on the internet. Wow nice work "

Larry wrote on Apr 25, 2008 6:29 AM:

" Bill. You live in Payette . Stay out of our politics unless you want to move over here and vote! "

Michael Allen wrote on Apr 24, 2008 7:53 PM:

" OK...now that I have your attention, however short that may be. We are a society of sound bites don't you know. Now try and keep up. The financial problems of the City of Ontario aren't new. They started over 10 years ago with mismanagement of city funds by several former city managers. The city councils of that time were mislead and lied to as the extent of the impending financial disaster by the then city managers and to some extent by city staff. Not until Scott Trainor arrived on the scene did all of the financial mismanagement come to light. Scott and the then former council, of which I was a member by the way, came to the realization that we were rapidly approaching a train wreck. We had two choices, just as the current council has now, either cut services like the pool and library or raise additional revenue. At the time I was for cutting services, but that wasn't the popular answer. The council as a whole including me, voted to put a sales tax on the ballot, which was overwhelmingly defeated. I attribute much of that defeat to our current mayor, Joe Dominic and company. Now, they and we are in the same boat as we were 5 years ago. I'm on the revenue committee rehashing the same ideas that we did 5 years ago, which is fine. I'm sure the committee will come to the same conclusions we did 5 years ago. I will not support any new tax, fee or whatever you want to call it, if that tax puts any kind of additional burden on the citizens of Ontario. There you have may opinion for what it's worth. I know I can seem abrasive, but that's just to get your attention. Now, for all of you who are willing to come up with some intelligent and informative ideas, I'll definitely go get you a cold one.
Remember, get involved, go to the revenue committee meetings and council meetings, express your ideas. We are the rulers, don't let those in power rule you. "

bill wrote on Apr 24, 2008 3:02 PM:

" hi mike. My name is not bill it is ryan thomas and i live in payette. I love to write to these things, because people like you with nothing to do, and to much time on your hands, take it so personally. If you want to make a real difference start somewhere other then on your computer talking to people who dont even say their real names. Like with the mayor that everyone hates, but like bush, no one wanted. Ya easy to say after the fact. You voted for them now work with them. "

ted wrote on Apr 24, 2008 2:57 PM:

" Michael, who in the hell are you. Way to step up the conversation by adding some childish beatch to it. Is this sales tax to save smoething that we dont really need. I agree that it is nice to have a place to swim or read, but is it really needed. If it is such a neccesity that how come it cant run itself like in the past. Times have changed, and librarys are being replaced by computers that carries more info then any library. "

tom wrote on Apr 24, 2008 2:49 PM:

" I agree with you mike, but ful o the library and the pool got us in to this. "

Michael Allen wrote on Apr 23, 2008 8:39 PM:

" Bill or whoever you are, if you're such a big business man in this town, then why don't you post your real name? If you would read my very first post in this blog, you'll see that I'm not necessarily in favor of any kind of tax, particularly one that would affect the citizens of Ontario. What effect is it that you see happening to Ontario if a sales tax were passed? I'd like to know and back it up with some facts, not just your opinion. By the way, we wouldn't be the first town in Oregon to have a sales tax. That dubious honor goes to Ashland and there are hard facts available on how it affected their businesses. Check it out on their web site. Also, I can't tolerate stupid short sighted people who can't see beyond their limited selfish agendas, hence the term "beer wench", not beer wrench, whatever that is. Since it appears to me that you fit all of the parameters of the above, guess what? You are definitely the beer wench of the week. Now, go grab me a cold one be-atch! "

full o bull wrote on Apr 23, 2008 8:05 PM:

" Bill,
There are 47 states in the united states with a sales tax. some as high as 9%. If your business is on the verge of collapse to the point that it can not adjust to a 1% increase that you will more than likely pass on to the consumer. Then It will not survive with or without the sales tax. And how do you know that this sales tax wont directly affect me. Maybe I work at the Aquatic center, or the library. Or my Brother with six kids is a police or fireman. We're all in this problem together, and this is a solution that works for everyone.
Lets say that the sales tax passes. you have to charge your customers an extra 1%. Now if 1 out of 100 of your customers decide to not shop in ontario, and go back to idaho and pay 6% sales tax. then you've lost 1% of your revenue. But due to the in crease in the general fund your water bill is reduces by 10%, or your property tax is reduces by 10%, or more likely both with be reduced then you've gained 19% on your bottom line. and that is where it counts. "

bill wrote on Apr 23, 2008 2:34 PM:

" ontario resident, Why is it that you want the law past, it is such a no brainer to you, yet it has not passed. This is going to effect ontario more then you can even imagine. "

ontario resident wrote on Apr 22, 2008 9:02 PM:

" Bill, are you saying that consumers from Idaho (Fruitland Payette etc.)will be "scared" away from Walmart and all the other businesses in Ontario because of a 1% tax? So you think that being smart shoppers, they will drive to Caldwell /Nampa /Boise etc. use up their gas and pay more taxes there??? I think you're insulting their intelligence. "

bill wrote on Apr 22, 2008 2:42 PM:

" Full o bull, im not whining, but just think if the 1 percent did scare away business, then what? Call it whining, but i call a risk im not willing to take. I have more to loose then you therefor my concern is higher then yours. I can stay alive with ontario alone, but explain that to the familiys of the employes i would have to lay off to do so. "

full o bull wrote on Apr 22, 2008 1:17 PM:

" "Bill" Sure the people from Idaho are a plus to our community. You business owners would not survive on Ontario residence alone. So why Not have these "out of towners" help foot the bill? To them 1% is not an inconvenience. Ontario business's are close enough that even if the tax weresay 4% they would still shop in Ontario. Ontario Needs help and I'm sorry to say this but it is the business owners that are doing ALL the whining. And Joe is the biggest whining business owner of them all. "

bill wrote on Apr 22, 2008 11:49 AM:

" why, what does that mean. I have been a business owner in this community for 33 years and have know idea what you are talking about. I have lived in the same house, in Ontario, and have supplied jobs for more than 25 ontario residents. You comment is stupid and once again, you have no idea. Anyone that comes from out of state, or out of the community to shop in Ontario is a plus for ontario. "

why wrote on Apr 19, 2008 1:17 PM:

" do we allow them to run our community? Many of them reap the benefits and live out of state. I have no sympathy for any out of state business owner "

bill wrote on Apr 18, 2008 2:43 PM:

" Why you have no idea. If im selling something and have to get gas. Will they tax that. If I have to buy a new tracker will they tax that. and so on and so on. The less money at the end of the year hurts business owners. Use your head. If you dont under stand dont comment. Business owner have to buy things smart guy. You dont just sell stuff. "

Why? wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:55 AM:

" Does ANY business owner gripe about the tax? It is no money out of their pocket? "

bill wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:57 AM:

" Idaho you are wrong. As a business owner that deals with large donominations of money one percent is a lot. And second ,ontario, you buy those things in boise and nampa because you cant here. We dont have a mall or a sport store with the varity of boise. So dont give me that. "

Idaho wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:04 PM:

" Bill, you are wrong. I do not shop in Ontario because Idaho has a sales tax and Oregon doesn't, which is what you implied. I shop in Oregon because it's 10 minutes from my house. If Fruitland had a grocery store, you can bet, I'd patronize it, but for some ridiculous reasons, FRUITLAND DOESN'T HAVE A GROCERY STORE OR A STORE FOR ANYTHING ELSE I NEED, FOR THAT MATTER. And, Bill, WalMart rules because of location, selection, and prices, not because it's on the no-tax side of the state line. Go ahead, Ontario, get that sales tax in place. I shop in Ontario, use Ontario's city services (pool, library, hospital, etc.)and consider Ontario to be my local area. I, like most people on this side of the river, am perfectly willing to pay a salestax. It's just logical. "

Ontario wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:37 AM:

" Idaho, I agree that all who shop in Ontario should help with a 1% sales tax. I shop from Caldwell to Boise and do not question their sales tax. A 1% tax is still a huge savings compared to Idaho, and as you pointed out, where else can we shop locally? I hope the council will make this (tax) doable for Ontario. "

Bill wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:37 AM:

" The reason you shop here idaho is because of the 1 percent. You and all the other people from payete and fruitland. This is why wal mart rules because of the one percent. This is the dumbest thing i have ever heard of. Keep your ideas in idaho. "

Bill wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:33 AM:

" Mike get over the wrench and beer thing. What did the police cruser thing have to do with anything. Idiot. "

I think I know wrote on Mar 30, 2008 10:35 AM:

" to whatajoke, If you read the article/blog " Onterio Committee Faces Hard Fiscal Choices", you will learn that there is money from Quest been projected for the next 2 year budjet However the committee doesn't seem to think this will save the pool in the future. It seems that you know something the committee is not aware of, and in the spirit of this blog (working together works) I think you should "as a knowledgable taxpayer from Ontario" bring forth your information to the committee at their next meeting. Remember, this is a new group of people. They want to hear ALL ideas and would probably appreciate your help. Sincerely, Not Joking "

Michael Allen wrote on Mar 30, 2008 8:10 AM:

" To WhataJoke:
Why, yes you are. You obviously can't read a budget or a balance sheet. If you could, you would see the money that you are talking about is still in the contingency.
That's the problem, the city doesn't want to use that money, because once they do, there is no "new" money to replace it. Pretty simple: More money going out, than there is coming back in. Joe and company said they had a plan to "fix" our city's financial woes. They don't and that's why so many people are up in arms, because they feel they were lied to. We're in the same situation that we were in four years ago. I'll be at the revenue meeting on April 2nd with some ideas of my own. How about you? Or will you be sitting in front of the TV on your fat behind complaining that nothing is getting done? If you don't get involved then your opinion doesn't really mean much, does it? Now, you've won the prize, you've been elected the beer wench of the day! Go grab me a cold one! "

Whatajoke wrote on Mar 29, 2008 7:25 PM:

" Check it out. If you think Joe is growing a nose, check your own. If you knew anything about the quest money, you would know it should still be in the savings acount - contigency - within the city budget. Or did Gashler and Rachel spend that also? Oh! Did I really type that? I am so sorry, you guys think they can do no wrong, and are totally honest. Gag. "

Larry wrote on Mar 29, 2008 4:40 PM:

" To the interested: several jobs are open. Apply! Plain and simple. "

Michael Allen wrote on Mar 28, 2008 5:07 PM:

" Hey intrested,
First of all, when you can learn to spell and use the English language properly, you might, just might be able to get a job other than the minimum wage job that you obviously have now. Secondly, when you get off your fat rear end and sit in a police cruiser answering calls involving drunk stupid people like yourself, I might, just might give you some credibility.
As it is right now, you are the beer wench of the week.
Go grab me a cold one! "

Intrested wrote on Mar 28, 2008 1:26 PM:

" I'll take one of those cusshy jobs with
pers and every holiday known to man.Tell me where to apply. "

Current employee but looking wrote on Mar 28, 2008 8:41 AM:

" Apparently the Council doesn’t work together with the current employees of the City. There are currently 7 job openings that have not been filled. The employee survey that was done in hopes of informing the Council of the employees concerns has been ignored and discarded. It is no wonder a lot of people are leaving and no one wants to apply for the current openings, except people who are not qualified or the Mayors buddies. "

HD wrote on Mar 26, 2008 5:41 AM:

" The Council and Budget committee have all the informaition they need to make the neccesary decsions. It is time to do what you where elected to do and make the tough calls that need to be made. Pat has it backwards the people elected you to do the work and make the decicisions tha average person has neither the time or interest to do the work needed to make an informed decision. You have been in office for over a year and all you have done to date is run people off and make fools of yourselfs, its time to quit talking and go to work. "

Idaho wrote on Mar 24, 2008 11:37 PM:

" Ontario is missing a huge opportunity by delaying on a sales tax. I shop there everyday--I have nowhere else to shop--and another 1% wouldn't cause me to miss even a beat. Ontario citizens complain that Idahoans using Ontario as their business hub are not supporting the infrastructure. How would you like us to do that? By personal donations? Get this tax in place and get the problems fixed! "

Pay Me Now or Pay ME Later wrote on Mar 24, 2008 7:01 PM:

" The way I see it you have three choices, cut services, raise your fees and taxes on your residents or adopt a sales tax to tap into the people using your community, Pick the less of the lesser of 3 evils. I live in a City with a sales tax, it works and we have a very nice community with a library, rec-center and lots of nice parks. "

THE BODY POLITIC wrote on Mar 23, 2008 1:05 PM:

" The Council and Mayor are shirking their duties by trying to appoint a committee to do the work they were elected and appointed to do. They have the information needed to make the decisions necessary to solve the Cities financial problems, it will take years to get a committee up to speed with the information they need to solve this problem. Get busy and get to work that is what we elected you for. "

From a friend across the river wrote on Mar 23, 2008 12:36 PM:

" Its not rocket science, it is actually quite simple the City needs additional revenue to adequately fund the services the citizens say they want. However the demands the 30,000 visitors we have during the day cannot be paid for by the 3,500 tax and fee paying accounts within the City. So how do you collect money from those people who do not live in our community? Brainstorm all you want a 1% sales tax is a no brainier, as a border community with a State that has a 6% sales tax 1% would not stop people from coming here. Your Mayor does not have a clue when he says it is illegal or why don’t other communities in Oregon do it, they do. Wake and so what my Grandfather always told me, pick the low hanging fruit first, then get up on the ladder to reach the higher stuff.

"

Concerned about our city wrote on Mar 22, 2008 8:55 PM:

" Thank you Mr. Allen for your concern for our city. I also am concerned and I can not see how we are going to get out of this mess without the 1% tax. Why tax us on our water bill, ect. That only touches a small amount of the people that benifit from the city parks, roads, pool, library. It amazes me that we are so blindsighted as to really believe we can pull out of this mess with the guidence of the current council. It is time to lift our heads out of the sand and turn and face the sun head on. We do not need a bandaid. We need a solution for our childrens children. Mr. Allen, I hope to see lots of response to your call for brainstorming. Many minds working together can come up with lots of ideas. Come on people! Lets help the City of Ontario come out with a solution. We all need help "

Michael Allen wrote on Mar 20, 2008 7:10 PM:

" Hello again,
I've been laying low for awhile to see if those newly in power ever came to the realization that there is really no money in the pot to fund the library and pool. I'm thinking from what I've read lately, that the realization is here. I remember last year right around this time, during Joe's first state of the city speech at Chamber, I asked him how he could say that he saved the pool and library. I knew he and his newly elected buds had lucked out with a one time infusion of capital from the QWEST settlement. He couldn't answer me, I honestly don't think he had a clue of what I was talking about. I knew that the QWEST capital would run out. Well, it has, and guess what? We're exactly back to where we were when I left the Council 4 years ago. Nothing has changed, nothing has been solved. So much for the much touted "Time for a Change" campaign. Now I'm thinking that the new slogan should be: "Time For Some Hard Decisions." I don't think that more tax placed upon the citizens of Ontario is necessarily the solution. I have my own ideas, but I would like to hear ideas from all of you. Do we raise taxes, create new ones or do we cut services that you feel that aren't necessary? Come on guys, post them here, don't let the politicians decide your fate. Only you have the power to make real change. "

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