I will be voting “No” to Whitefish’s resort tax increase. Rhetoric coming from proponents cleverly implies that “No” voters don’t care about protecting Haskill Basin or securing our future water supply. This is nonsense. I am very much in favor of those things. However, we are about to spend almost $15 million on a new City Hall and parking structure when we could get something quite adequate for $5 million, freeing up enough money to protect Haskill Basin and our future water supply without increasing the resort tax.
What sort of example are we setting for our children if we spend lavishly while also claiming that we don’t have enough money for basics? Let’s not be the guy that asks his parents for food money while at the same time buying a Porsche.
It’s always easy to spend freely when it’s someone else’s money, and then keep asking for more. If we keep giving more, we are also to blame. We need to be the responsible ones and say to city officials, “Figure out a way to make it work with what you have.” Quite simply, we must demand that those entrusted with spending our money do so wisely.
I am not voting “No” to water. I am voting “No” to excess, and, as best I can, I am voting “Yes” to prudence and fiscal responsibility.
Clyde Dicks
Whitefish