SALES TAX IS COMING

Dave Thomas: Raises rob City Council of all credibility

When will the insanity and lies stop? The story (“Council supports workers’ pay hike,” Page A1, Dec. 3) regarding the salary and bonus increases for Modesto city employees borders on the incredible.

Not too long ago, the mayor, council and various police and fire spokesmen told us absolutely, positively, no-question-about-it, the city was broke; out of money. Going to fire more cops and firefighters. Close fire stations. The only possible solution was to raise taxes by $26 million. So they foisted Measure X on us.

Tuesday night, with no discussion whatever, the mayor and council gave away $1 million to the very employees they said they would have to fire. How do they explain this? Many words come to mind, but they might sound unkind. Obviously, the Stanislaus Taxpayers Association was right; there was never a need for Measure X.

I believe Modestans must acknowledge that a serious germ infects our city and its leaders. This germ causes a certain dementia. It makes them forget the past and what they said yesterday. And it causes an insatiable thirst for our money. How can we ever again believe anything they say?

DAVE THOMAS, MODESTO