Tuesday, October 30, 2007

On Nov. 6, break your Tuesday routine

Today is Tuesday. For us, it's a routine day that includes coffee in the morning before shipping the kids off to school; a late-morning meeting followed by lunch and work in front of the computer, and, since the soccer season is over, dinner with the family, a book or TV show, then bed.

That's the routine we deliberately plan to interrupt on Tuesday, Nov. 6 -- Election Day.

Birmingham has around 20,000 residents, around 10,000 of whom are registered voters. A typical Election Day that doesn't include a presidential election might see 3,000 Birmingham voters go to the polls. That's less than one-third in a town that has among the highest education and income levels -- not to mention tax rates -- in the state, if not the nation.

Go figure: You have around 7,000 homeowners who invariably grouse about their tax bills but who don't bother to vote in the elections that decide who holds the public pursestrings.

If you're one of those 7,000, do yourself and the rest of our town a favor and break the routine Nov. 6. Get out and vote for the progressive slate of candidates who understand that encouraging sensible development is the way to increase Birmingham's commercial tax base and relieve the pressure on residents.

Tom McDaniel and Scott Moore were driving forces in getting the movement started. Along with Shelli Weisberg and Gordon Rinschler, who serve in advisory roles to the commission, they've improved parks, worked to shore up our infrastructure, restored common sense to downtown zoning regulations, paved the way for bistro liquor licenses, allowed more outdoor dining in our downtown, developed the Triangle District Master Plan and more. Tax rates are beginning to go down, but it takes time.

Opponents Seth Chafetz and George Dilgard have long records of hindering sensible development, pushing personal agendas that infringe on property rights (the tree and lighting ordinances) and ignoring, much to taxpayers detriment, the imperative of increasing our municipal tax base. Four years ago, voters booted from office Chafetz (who was mayor at the time) and Dante Lanzetta, who employed Dilgard as a lobbyist and campaign manager.

Chafetz and Dilgard, staunch Antis, threaten a return to the politics of arrogance. Their election will insure continued high tax bills.

McDaniel, Moore, Weisberg and Rinschler offer the promise of an even better Birmingham, one that is more attractive to residents and others, and one in which the tax burden is eased as more and more of it is shifted away from residents.

Right now, mark your calendar. On Nov. 6, break your Tuesday routine, go to the polls and cast your votes for McDaniel, Moore, Weisberg and Rinschler.