To the Editor:
My name is Leonard R. Kantor, a candidate for council member at large for a special election to be held on Nov. 3, 2009.
I have presented the true facts as to why our city is bankrupt. The facts of high property taxes and our bonded debt show this to be true. It is a disgrace that our city of 58,000 residents should have a bonded debt of almost $500 million!
We can start to reduce high taxes and bond debt by cleaning our house. We must be frugal in all matters and cut expenses to the bone! To do this, we must hire an outside efficiency consultant to advise our city to institute an economic plan. We also must institute a moratorium on all hiring, promotions and raises, eliminate all nonessential jobs, wasteful spending, employee’s pay in part to health benefits, etc.
Let’s look at what our city officials don’t tell us. We have a public school budget of $123 million and a bonded debt of $150 million. It cost taxpayers a total of $273 million dollars to run our public schools for 9,710 students.
We have a municipal budget of $124 million and a bonded debt of $130 million for a total of $254 million. When we add the school $273 million and the city $254 million, we have a combined total of $527 million. Fantastic for a city of 58,000 residents. This is a disgrace!
I am asking you, the voters of our city, to elect me so that I can help to alleviate some of our city debt and to lower property taxes. I am asking you to vote for me. But to be honest, I am pleading with you to vote for me. I need your help so that I can help you! Please vote, Leonard R. Kantor, 11 E!
LEONARD R. KANTOR