Dear Editor,

I recently went shopping at Safeway and was stopped by a gentleman who said he was running for the MD board. He was quick to share his opinion about why residents shouldn't vote for A & B. He said there was plenty of money and it was stupid to keep raising taxes. He said it would only hurt our resale.

I have to take issue with his assertions. I've been reading the paper, have done some research and have read material provided by the two groups who are proponents and opponents of A & B. I have to say that his opinion that the KCRMD has plenty of money is ridiculous. Budget cuts such as closing one pool, reducing irrigation at our parks, and user fee hikes for using the remaining pools are drastic and shows me that more revenue is needed.

There are some, like this candidate, who believe that the KCRMD has not managed its money well and that there is plenty of fat to cut. After researching the budget and what the MD does spend its money on, I disagree.

Revenues have decreased in the last seven years, and the cost of living increases have taken an even bigger bite out of the existing revenues. Costs are rising for all of us - heating bills and other utilities, the price of gas, the price of water - all of this goes up while the KCRMD has seen a decrease in their revenues over the years.

Also, the idea that an increase in taxes is going to hurt our ability to sell our houses or our resale value is absurd. What is going to hurt our resale value is a closed pool, brown grass and high user fees that no one will pay. The people who are looking at homes are those with kids who are looking for pools and other amenities.

Add 2 + 2 - as my kids would say - and you end up with a need for more funding.

Vote YES for our community and amenities.

Stephanie & Gary Salter
Ken-Caryl