Patch Election Q&A: Stan Bond on Question #4

The question:

What are your thoughts on a vehicle sticker system, such as the one Evanston uses, that would impose a “wheel tax” on vehicle owners? More broadly, how do you feel about increasing taxes on village residents?

I would be very opposed to a vehicle sticker system, especially one like Evanston's which requires sticker renewals to be purchased and installed in the bitter cold of December, costs $113 rather than $75 if applications are received after January 10th (extra burden for those who leave town for the winter), and a $10 fee if you need a replacement sticker due to trading your car or replacing a windshield. I also do not like a visual obstruction of any kind in my windshield, Evanston requires the sticker to be in the lower left of the driver's side window.

To carry this folly to the bureaucratic extreme, the Evanston system requires motorcycles to buy and display vehicle stickers but makes no reference to how or where they might be displayed.

Then there is the "business friendly" aspect of the whole vehicle sticker concept. All the Montgomery companies that operate vehicle fleets would suddenly be burdened with yet another tax or license fee. Think about Fox River Foods, Conway Trucking, Superior Beverage, the courtesy and parts delivery vehicles at Coffman GMC, and our ambulance service—it goes on and on. This is not the way to grow our economy or boost local business.

In today's economy, I am far less likely to suggest or support an increase of any kind in the cost of living for residents and businesses. We must hold the line on spending to get through these difficult times. I believe we are suffering already for spending decisions that were made when everyone thought times were good, and the money we should have saved from our growth spurt has now turned into debt the taxpayers must pay. We didn't save enough for this rainy day, and we cannot keep spending as though we did. Our empty piggybank is not the fault of the taxpayer.