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(6/21/09): Cincinnati NAACP Considers Third Petition Drive; Reject Annual $250 Trash Fee |
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Media Release Cincinnati NAACP June 21, 2009 Cincinnati City Council is considering a $250 trash fee for all Cincinnati residents in order to help close the $20 million budget shortfall. This issue could be considered as early as tomorrow by the Finance Committee. If approved, there is no doubt that citizens who live in apartments and condominiums will experience higher rents/fees because landlords will pass on trash fees to tenants. Cincinnati NAACP President Smitherman says, "This is a terrible idea and will drive more citizens out of the City and reduce our tax base." The Cincinnati NAACP will consider a third petition drive to give citizens of Cincinnati the right to vote on another "tax" if the trash fee proposal passes. City Council cut retirees' benefits a week ago and now they want to charge a trash fee. "Neighboring cities and townships like Blue Ash love this kind of short-term thinking by City Council because it pushes senior citizens who have financial options into their communities. Blue Ash has no problem collecting the estate tax." said Smitherman. City Council and the Mayor must be willing to make meaningful cuts in the City's finances, which includes their own $2.5 million dollar budgets. There are many line items in the City's overall budget that can be reduced. Leadership starts at the top and citizens would appreciate having elected officials set the example themselves.
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