Tax extension for needs, not ‘fluff’

I'm on a fixed income but was in favor of the extension of the option sales tax to be used to fix the streets and sewers, until I heard on the news that the city wants to fix up downtown living by narrowing First and Second avenues, put in bike paths and line it all with trees. That's fluff, not needed repairs.

Now I wonder where my money will be going. I live in an older area and my street needs fixing. They are to do our sewers in 2014; that's nice. They will remove trees and run down alleys and right of way between homes and a half block of my side street, leaving my front street untouched.

Before we fix up downtown, we need to constantly dredge the river and get flood protection on both sides - that will bring business back downtown.

As things look now, my vote either way will not fix my street. The city must be clear to the taxpayers needs and opinions before asking for more taxes.

I make tough decisions every day about how my money is spent and believe me none is spent of fluff. I'm too busy surviving.

Kaye Haslam

Cedar Rapids