REDDING NEEDS ANOTHER $200 MILLION FROM THEIR SO CALLED SAFETY TAX

These highly controlled and staged events don't change the facts. These measures were already voted on and turned down by the voters. Re-colored and re-packaged as a "safety" tax, it is highly unlikely that given this blank check by the citizens of Redding would actually make any of them a bit safer. In fact, judging from recent events and history the opposite is more likely. Many Redding residents are totally happy with the detailed study purchased by the tax-payer that showed (after comparing our police department with others nationwide) that RPD's problems with coverage was NOT having enough officers on the payroll, but the way they were being scheduled. Since the looting of the CITIZEN owned Redding Electric Utility was discovered (millions a year were siphoned from REU's profit) forcing rates to go up to seniors like my own 84 year old mother, to pay the outrageous saleries and pensions of existing and retiring officers, the city has hunted for a way to replace THAT blank check. Don't be fooled by the shell game. Having new funds, instead of using City reserves, while cost and fees in every agency increased, including RPD once very bloated budget and force, these new taxes, will allow the city to continue doing business like they have instead of making real changes. If successful they can then use general funds for more funded and unfunded pensions, including pensions for new hires. The known pension liability admitted too of over $200 million is only the tip of the iceburg, they know it, and you need to know it. This is the same city council that put citizen comments at meetings at the end of the sessions. That shut down a panel of volunteers who were getting too close to the truth how REU was being operated and where monies were going, regarding rate increases. Who refused to make the results of the first draft available to the same citizens they hooked to pay for it. No Accountibility Equals No Safety Tax.