THE LACK OF VISION IS BREATHTAKING

Today while reading the WOODWARD TALK (Officials pg 14 last paragraph), I read Mr. Photaides quote as follows; "That May 3 (Headlee Override) Vote will be very important to our community, If it doesn't pass, then I think you will really start to see a mass exodus of people from Ferndale."

May I suggest that if it does pass, you will see a forced exodus from Ferndale.

To those who cannot sell and cannot pay the increased taxes(they can barely afford them now) then you will force families and residents into foreclosure. How many foreclosures have you seen in your neighborhood? (That huge pile of dozens of black trash bags lining the street infront of your neighbors home....it isn't spring cleaning...)

There is a vast difference in thought, and I hope to explain it.

Proponents of the Tax Increase say that in order to maintain services at or near the level they are now we must raise taxes. Unfortunately that logic is flawed in many ways. Even by their own forecast, if the headlee is passed we will still be "underwater" in 3 years. Then what? Another tax increase? Will they cut more at that point?

Secondly, it is frequently said that the housing market is in an upswing or at rock bottom. Are you aware that Oakland County has over 6000 foreclosed homes that are bank owned that are not on the market? [Source: Mark Avery of Overtaxed Property.com] They are holding them back because they know that if they release them into the market it would crash or seriously devalue the property in this area. Detroit and Wayne County is worse than Oakland.

When the "Citizen financial Committee" met with Brooks Patterson's Deputy Executive Bob Daddow, he explained that the most optimistic of estimates noted housing prices not returning to recent levels until 2025. If we have increased deflation or even low prices the city stands to lose even more of its tax income. We will have to cut anyway.

Bob Bruner even noted that we will have to cut anyway this is only a band aid not a solution.

So lets use some common sense. Lets make the cuts now. Talk to your neighbors and friends and.....

VOTE NO ON THE HEADLEE OVERRIDE TAX INCREASE!