While it may seem obvious that all elected officials should pay their taxes and utility bills, as we have come to learn this is not always the case. Unfortunately, when one does not pay, it calls into question before voters whether there are others of us who have not paid. I can tell you unequivocally I always pay my property taxes and utility bills.
I have also filed an Ordinance that will prevent any candidate for municipal office from running for city office if they owe personal property taxes or utlity bills. This ordinance will be taken under consideration at our October 20, 2009 meeting. It will likely be referred to the Ordinance Committee.
Under current law, no person is allowed to hold a license in the city unless they receive clearance from the Tax Collector. Elected officials should also be held to this standard that we created for everyone else.
Under my proposal, a candidate would have to get a letter from Tax Collector stating that they are fully paid prior to being allowed to take out nomination papers.
Re-Elect Holyoke's Fiscal Watchdog!
