Once again, the Kent County Families for Fiscal Responsibility (KCFFR) has risen in opposition to another ITP millage request. KCFFR most recently opposed and was instrumental in the defeat of the second GRCC millage request in 2007. KCFFR also opposed the previous ITP millage request in 2007 and ran a “This Pig Stinks” ad on the side of a Rapid bus.
The organization is the local taxpayers’ rights group that professes to fight for good governance and low taxes. They believe that private enterprise have better and more efficient solutions to solving local problems than using the public purse.
Spokesman Dr. Eric Larson stated a number of reasons for KCFFR’s opposition to the new $70 million tax request from the ITP. “It is very hard to imagine that this tax hike is a serious request from the Rapid. It calls for $70 million over 5 years to build a bus line on Division that is already being serviced by their buses. It will close down half the road during peak traffic hours which will cause widespread congestion and affect parking for a lot of the businesses along the route. Worse yet, this rapid service will average only 16 mph!
“Not only is this a poorly hatched plan for what it sets out to do but it extracts tax money from the cities of East Grand Rapids, Walker, and Grandville that will not receive any of the benefits. It is simply inconceivable that during a large economic downturn the ITP would consider taking $70 million out of the pockets of taxpayers instead of allowing those citizens to use the money to care for their families and support local businesses.”
The KCFFR has already begun an active campaign by handing out flyers pointing out the wastefulness and unfairness of the millage request. It expects to accomplish most of its goals through word of mouth, grassroots networking, and door to door campaigning. Since the group does not have the deep pockets of the businesses along the proposed route or the ability to freely advertise its position on a publicly owned website (such as the Rapid) it will continue to utilize those other techniques which were effective in its campaign against GRCC in May, 2007.
If you would like to schedule an interview with KCFFR spokesman Eric Larson, please contact him by email (ellarson0@gmail.com)
