We cut back; you cut back

To the Editor:

This letter is directed to the Town of Rumford selectmen and is in response to the tax bill I just received.

Again, it rose to about $130 per year. Several years ano, it went about $300 per year higher. At about $430, how much groceries do you think that could buy?

I am 81 and on Social Security and pension from 40 years in the paper mill. My total net income serves me well. What about those that only have Social Security and no pension? How are these people getting by?

If we taxpayers have to go from filet mignon to hamburg, why can't the select persons grasp this situation and cut back to at least stabilizing the tax base to what it was last year?

How would you respond to the federal income tax you pay if it went up on your income to the point you had to cut back on something or to make an adjustment in your lifestyle that is not very welcome?

With the ups and downs of the paper mill's financial status, why gamble on the continued belief that the mill's taxes they pay, at about 46 percent of the town's expenses, will be there!

Cutting back hurts a minority of people. In cases, in today's world, it becomes a necessary evil, because somebody gets hurt by it.

Personally, I insist on paying taxes. When a person reaches the age of 65 or 75, at least their taxes should be frozen.

Each and every year, the cost of living continues to increase. Pensions and Social Security do not! The small increases we get in Social Security is eaten by added costs of Medicare insurance. Also, our latest one came after three years of waiting.

Think of what happens of our net income yearly when costs go up, but our income stays the same. Are you truly aware of the impact this has on us retirees, eventually?

We don't want sympathy. We want fiscal responsibility on your part that is more favorable to us. We cut back. You cut back.

Yes, of course I know costs go up for the town overall. Biting the bullet is not fun to do, but, at some point it just has to happen.

Have I got the answers? No. That's your job!

There was a time I could spend several or more hundred dollars on my hobbies, but now, it's down to one hundred. You eventually learn how to adjust to the situation as we all should.

I do know you are trying your best. The end result, the tax bill, doesn't show it to those of us that have to sacrifice to come up with the funds to pay that tax bill.

I'm 81, and at that age, you are not too happy about projects that are made or in the making that have absolutely no use to us older folks. These cost town funds that are unwarranted as far as some of us are concerned.

I did not mean for this to be insulting. I'm just venting my thinking on the subject of taxes.

More money towards taxes, as you know, takes away from medical, food, oil, gas, luxury items, being able to eat out occasionally, etc., for those on limited incomes. There are plenty of us in that category.

I also know your job is real tough and somewhat thankless. As they say, it's a dirty job, but someone has to do it!

Richard G. Austin,

Rumford