Truths in Taxation: county 12/1, school 12/6, city 12/12

If you've been attending the truths-in-taxation hearings one thing of particular interest is noting not only the types of statements made from the public mike, but who seems to be in accord with whom, and funny enough, even who's sitting with whom! Out in the hall, after the County TNT hearing (12/1), Denny Hanson and John Eckerman agreed that Fred Daly was their 'only one' on the School Board. If it's not weird enough that the City Council president and the Chamber of Commerce are picking favorite 'sympathy votes' on our School Board, listen to this: If you showed up at the School Board TnT hearing (12/6), tucked snugly between John Eckerman and John Wade of Chamber fame was Jon Losness, editor/publisher of our hometown newspaper. Perhaps this is part of the reason we didn't read any details in the Post-Bulletin about the lack of leadership evidenced by Fred Daly when the School Board TNT hearing became downright uncivilized, owing to 'his supporters'. Even a teacher was heckled! I find this shameful in the extreme, akin to swearing in church where I come from. Control or manipulation of information is bad for democracy. People should be allowed unmolested public speech. As well, our media has a responsibility for accurate reporting on the character of public hearings. The public should know the kind of culture that's being encouraged locally which has been stimulated by the governor's office when Tim Pawlenty toured Minnesota in the last days of November to encourage local protests about property taxes. Yes, let's attempt to make our local taxation more tolerable and fair, but let's also remember the deliberate shift in revenue away from taxes on the highest income onto the middle and lower income groups which is creating this pain. How can we reach the best decisions for the common good here in Olmsted County and the City of Rochester? People in leadership positions in our community need to humbly accept their responsibility for encouraging and guiding dialogue to meaningful common ground. What will bring us together to make the best of us for the most of us? Haveahope's thought for the day: "Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out."