Referendum puzzle

The November elections have come and gone. Some of us are happy, some of us not.

With a Republican White House, Senate and Congress, success or failure will be theirs alone to accept or be held accountable for.

There were, however, some puzzling aspects on our local referendums.

The Palesky tax cap was voted down because of its meat axe approach. Yet in the process, we agreed taxes are too high – especially our property taxes.

The last referendum option was the location of the police station. Our City Council and police department made an honest endeavor to meet the needs of a new police station, while keeping the costs of it within reason.

A majority of Bangor voters did not like the proposed location and as a result the location was moved downtown, and will increase the cost of the new station by approximately $1.27 million.

With Bangor’s population at a little more than 31,000, that comes out to about $40 for every man, woman and child.

It’s not my intent to be critical of those who voted for the downtown location, but rather to point out that if we are truly serious about tax reform, we need to seriously think about the sacrifices it takes. Perhaps even a less desirable location for a police department.

John W. Eisentrager Sr.

Bangor