Metro Pulse contributing writer Hillari Dowdle recently received a call from none other than County Mayor Tim Burchett, or at least his recorded self. Apparently, Burchett is not only disinclined to include Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre's request for a $35 million increase in his proposed county budget, but he's also actively campaigning against the idea of anyone even thinking of raising taxes for it. Here's her account of what she heard from the mayor:
I'm used to robocalls from School Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre and Dogwood Elementary Principal Lana Lowe, but today's shout-out from County Mayor Tim Burchett was a surprise. He needed my help, he said, to fight against those asking for big tax increases. Yes!
Tax increases! Who wants them?
Actually, in this case, I do...because we desperately need them to help improve our schools. Burchett doesn't mention this crucial issue during his robocall, of course--he makes it seem black and white, a matter of tax lovers vs. tax haters. (Dare I draw the dotted line to Democrats vs. Republicans?)
The call asks you, tax-hating South Knoxvillian, to call Knox County Commissioner Mike Brown and let him know you join Mayor Burchett in his opinion that "we can't afford a tax increase in this economy."
Tax increases! Who wants them?
Actually, in this case, I do...because we desperately need them to help improve our schools. Burchett doesn't mention this crucial issue during his robocall, of course--he makes it seem black and white, a matter of tax lovers vs. tax haters. (Dare I draw the dotted line to Democrats vs. Republicans?)
The call asks you, tax-hating South Knoxvillian, to call Knox County Commissioner Mike Brown and let him know you join Mayor Burchett in his opinion that "we can't afford a tax increase in this economy."
Those who don't share that opinion might consider calling Tim Burchett at his office (215-2005) and let him know you don't think we can afford to keep up our record of failing schools. Sadly, undereducated children are our future.
For more on the tax issues, read Joe Sullivan's Insights column.
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