‘Let’s Not Destroy Quaint Little City’

I have just finished reading the story on Sierra Madre in the Jan. 24 San Gabriel Valley Section. You sure managed to paint a bleak picture for our community. There does not seem to be enough revenue to please councilmen, who fear recall if they propose tax hikes. So to circumvent voters, an effort to raise taxes via a sales tax increase is being considered.

I can only applaud a system of checks and balances as simple and successful as ours. We are not in a bleak situation. Things are working wonderfully, except for the efforts to circumvent voters and the system of checks and balances. This city is a special place amidst the giant Los Angeles metropolitan area. Let us not destroy this great, quiet, quaint little city just to raise taxes for a group of “special interest” councilmen.

Instead, I suggest residents be asked to vote on specific projects, like water mains, for which revenue might be needed. Remember, ours is supposed to be a system “of the people.”

ROBERT A. NIELSEN

Sierra Madre