KIMBALL'S TROJAN HORSE, PART II

Yesterday we commented upon K.C. Caliendo's remark that the need for the city government to raise taxes to solve its fiscal crisis is a "no-brainer".  This is of consequence because Caliendo has been appointed to Grand Rapids City Manager Kurt Kimball's citizen budget advisory panel, which we believe is his Trojan Horse to bring an allegedly citizen-backed recommendation for new taxes to the City Commission.  Because Caliendo was selected by Second Ward City Commissioner Rick Tormala who adamantly opposes new taxes (except as a "last resort" which he says would be reached only have all non-essential expenses have been eliminated and there would be no funds to pay for essential services without new revenues), we asked him what he thought of Caliendo's predetermination that new taxes are needed.

The commissioner's response was this:

"I don’t agree with KC about taxes and I intend to tell her so, but I didn’t, nor do I ever, recommend people who only agree with me on everything.  I recommend smart, honorable and independent people.  Realize that this committee is advisory only, we never did nor would I ever support us abdicating our responsibilities as elected officials or passing the buck.  ...  The citizen committee will open up a process that needs to be open and to get ideas from independent thinkers outside of City Hall.  Bear in mind every citizen is welcome, and needed in this process.  Could Kurt [Kimball] try and make this a tax increase only committee?  Yes, but only with the cooperation and silence of everybody involved and the public."  [Our emphasis.]

Fair enough, especially that last statement.  We do have to get noisy about Kimball's mismanagement of our tax dollars and the city commissioners and the mayor who don't oppose him on this.  However, we still need a tribune to focus our dissatisfaction and bring about the results we want.  That's Commissioner Tormala's job, so make sure you let him know where you stand.  Let him know what services you really need from the city government and which you don't.  Tell him that we don't need new taxes when there are plenty of city salaries and benefits to cut first.  Give him your ideas on how to return Grand Rapids to the black.  So get noisy, so that Commissioner Tormala can noisy on your behalf.  Click here to e-mail him.