To the editor:

I tried to get my message out to the people of Webster City at the (city) council meeting last night (Monday). I knew I was in trouble before they let me speak. The mayor, when asked why they had the power to tax the citizens even more, his reply was we’re in power and you’re not.

OK, then. Taxation without any representation.

They wouldn’t let me finish what I needed to say about the sad state of affairs of our out-of-control spending of the city. The mayor told me to stand down or be removed. … (Editor: The designated time to discuss the splash pad was later in the meeting agenda.) I told him taxpayers’ money is OURS NOT YOURS. If they want to waste money on a water splash pad, you pay for it. Not the taxpayers of this city.

We’ve had more than enough taxes on us.

You keep spending money like we the people are millionaires. We’re NOT. Fix the streets and sewer lines — Top Priority. Forget about the water pad; we’ve been in a two-year drought here and you want to waste a valuable resource — water — and flush it down the river. Absolutely stupid.

The city should from now on take 5% of the revenue from taxes and utilities that they take from us and put it in a city savings account. Take that money for the splash pad and here’s an idea — turn the old Kmart building into a roller skating rink. It could be used around the year for people of all ages instead of a few months, like the water pad.

Quit spending money that you don’t have. At least if you have kids or grandkids think of the financial burden you’re putting on them.

City council, WAKE UP. I have talked to a lot of people in this town and they’re not happy with the way you spend OUR money. I realize that everything costs a lot more today than it should, but you need to space out your city projects …

We want our townspeople to be proud of this city; a lot of us are not because of your wasteful spending.

Dennis A. Longhenry

Webster City