Dear Editor:

I read that the Cody Conservation District is wanting a 1 mil levy tax increase to fund themselves. The Powell Library board wants to increase sales tax by 1% for a new building.

As a Wyoming native used to what was in the past responsible government, I’m disillusioned by recent bureaucrats willingness to increase taxes that include: a large property tax increase last year; the doubling of driver’s license and vehicle registration fees; 10 cents/gallon gas tax; hunting/fishing license increases; and state park access increases. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some of the storm of local, county and state tax increases that have inundated us over the recent past and imagine that my friends in the community will help to list them.

Ms. Pat Stuart, you are one of my favorite people and I must suggest to you again that alternatives to another tax to build a new library remain. You mention that the land swap could take 10 years. So be it — if there’s existing government land that could be sold or traded let’s do that rather than increase taxes.

As far as the conservation district goes, you seem to exist just fine on your existing funding. If you can’t afford to continue as you are, you might consider a more effective management team or redirect your budget into another state/county entity and dissolve your organization.

“The government must grow to support the growing needs of the government” philosophy can’t continue to metastasize. Vote NO to ANY new taxes.

Respectfully,

Scott Lee

Powell