Raves, Rants & Roses

RESPONSE: I was not surprised, just sad, that Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass seems to embrace the Tax Increment Reassessment Zone fiasco, or how to enrich downtown property owners at the expense of all other Tyler citizens.

TIRZ, Tyler 21, jail, courthouse and other grandiose plans for downtown Tyler renewal are reminiscent of the old five, 10 and 20-years plans for economic growth and prosperity within the USSR from the 50's through dissolution of the country in the 90's.

The Tyler model appears to be based on continual increases in property values in the downtown area designated as TIRZ. Yet, all taxing entities (city, county, TISD, TJC) continue to operate with higher budgets every year and depend on property appraisals to squeeze more and more money from taxpayers. Instead of trying to reduce local government/school spending and acting responsibly in the face of impending economic uncertainty, local politicians and businessmen are claiming "business is booming in Tyler."

Perhaps, but having always lived (sometimes very poorly) within my income, I find it hard to support anyone or anything that refuses to face reality and plan accordingly. I voted for Mrs. Bass as an alternative to brining another real estate person into local government. In the future, I will not vote for any politician whose business is real estate or who supports the tax and spend mentality existing throughout Tyler's political and school system.

I hoped Mrs. Bass would insist on supporting only those projects financed by taxes that would produce some benefit to the taxpayers. Like a business, taxpayers should expect a tangible benefit to the taxpayers. Like a business, taxpayers should expect a tangible benefit from any tax money spent - think ROI (Return On Investment). TIRZ won't benefit any Tyler taxpayers except, maybe, those owning property in the "downtown zone."

I don't recall voting on the TIRZ plan. How about adding it to the November ballot and see what the average, voting taxpayer will tell you?

Norm Beavers
Tyler