In the course of a day, I run into people that will say, “I agree that government should be smaller, more accountable and cut spending to this project or that, BUT should fund (enter your preferred project here).” Everyone has a different project they want supported by tax dollars. My belief is that it is the government’s function to support only critical services (police,fire,EMS,roads,utilities) that benefit all citizens equally and that funding any non-essential programs with tax payer dollars is a detriment to these critical services.
Fireworks, Christmas Lights, Down Town Partnership Coordinator, Tipp Monroe Community Services all add to the quality of life in our city and I would love to see them all continue because the citizens see value in those projects, not because of the willingness of our government to confiscate for the cause. No loss of life will occur if these are not funded by government, and government can’t give anything without first taking it from someone else. Try this little exercise: instead of saying “the government should” replace it with “my neighbor should”, because that’s where we are going to get the money to pay for these projects.
I often hear that even if we cut project ‘X‘, it won’t solve our financial problems. Agreed, cutting any one of these will not make any significant dent in spending, however add them all up and you come to roughly $80,000. If these projects continue for ten years, that’s $800,000(getting close to that new fire truck or a few miles of pavement).
Many of us have come to believe that if government is not involved, “It“ can’t be done. The opposite is true. Join me in proving it. I see value in the fireworks and my business will sponsor a portion of the show. There are at least 4,000 households in our city. $2.25 per household will cover the city’s portion ($9,000) of the fireworks show. Some may wish to give more; some may wish to give none at all.
Christmas Lights? Let’s close the street, pitch in, and meet our fellow Tipp City residents. Some of us can contribute time, some can contribute money, but all will benefit from the fellowship.
Is there a parent group(s) out there that can provide the service we currently get from TMCS? Who would have the most interest in fostering young athletes: parents, the schools’ athletic departments, coaches?
I like many of these programs and I am willing to support most of them with my time and my money. I am unwilling to support them with your time and your money; that’s your business. These programs will or won’t survive because of the willingness (or lack thereof) of each citizen to step forward and sustain them. Governments do not foster a sense of community, only its citizens can.
Please feel free to stop me on the street. If we don’t agree, change my mind. Give me an opportunity to change yours. In the end we will have met someone with a different point of view, agree to disagree, and swing in to a local restaurant for a coffee or piece of pie.
Respectfully,
Bryan Budding
