Welch Letter Was Off-Base -
Uninformed, misinformed, or contrary. [sic] I am not sure which type of person John Welch would qualify as after the letter to the editor concerning Tiera Darnall-Charlton. [Ms. Darnall-Charlton was never mentioned by name as far as we remember]
Uninformed; because the only home on the tax rolls at the time of filing of the petition was in Palestine Township.
Misinformed; because someone gave him bad information.I believe residency only requires a mailing address. You do not have to eat or sleep there.
Contrary; what purpose did the letter serve, other than to discredit Mrs. Darnall-Charlton, since the primary was over[at the time of the letter]? Perhaps Mr. Welch considers her as future competition since PTELL[Illinois' Property Tax Extension Limitation Law] became an issue with his support and her opposition. I noticed a large ad in the [Woodford County] Journal did not include her name as being back on track. [we have no idea what that sentence was to mean]
Of course, my name was not included because of my opposition of [sic] PTELL, which was in support of the county citizens present at the meeting [we think he means the majority of the people speaking at the County Board meeting where a vote was taken on allowing a ballot referendum on PTELL spoke against allowing the folks to vote on it - the school districts, libraries, etc. were disproportionately represented]
Misinformed; may be the best term since I have heard the statement, "PTELL will cut taxes." Not true. The people who cut or raise taxes are the members of the board. Show them where to cut services the public does not want and tax cuts may follow. [see below]
I made a statement during campaign conversations, [that] I felt Tiera with three small children may not have time to do a good job as a Board Member when also working full time. [see below] I do hope she decides to continue in public service in the future. Those willing to spend the time and effort are too rare [see below]
- - - Kenneth M. Uphoff
[Woodford County Board member from District 1
Now, with regard to Mr. Uphoff's assertion that:
' "PTELL will cut taxes." Not true. The people who cut or raise taxes are the members of the board. Show them where to cut services the public does not want and tax cuts may follow. '
We've never heard ANYONE, EVER state that PTELL will cut taxes. PTELL will reduce the rate of extension growth. PTELL communities, over time, show rates of slower government spending. PTELL helps send a message to government taxing authorities that the folks want to be involved, and WANT TO BE ASKED about government spending plans and priorities. (witness the District 150 school building fiasco over in Peoria). Mr. Uphoff knows that without PTELL, the County Board has VERY LITTLE to say about overall county taxes. They can only control the County's portion of our taxes. The majority is controlled by the Boards for the School District, Libraries, Fire Departments, ICC, the city councils, the Townships, etc. As a citizen, try going to all of those board meetings each month to keep these Boards on track. Don't forget to attend all of their individual Committee meetings as well, because that is where the real business is done. In addition, to be sure, it's a little duplicitous at best, and immensely condescending at worst, for Mr. Uphoff to tell the voters that it's THEIR responsibility to show the Board where expenses can be contained and then assert, "tax cuts MAY follow". We read that as, "yeah, we might cut tax rates - we might not. What cha 'gonna do 'bout it?" This is not transparency in government. This is opacity in government.
Mr. Uphoff continues "damning with faint praise" Ms. Darnall Charlton. It comes off as sexist and insulting. After referring to "Mr. Welch" several times, he calls her "Tiera" and questions her ability to serve because of her family. Would he question the same about a man with "three small children"? After that, he states his hope she will serve in the future - presumable when Mr. Uphoff comes to believe that her children are old enough to scrape by without her for a few hours a month.
Unfortunately, we believe Mr. Uphoff is his own worst enemy . . . and we actually rather like the guy; sometimes though, that is not enough. We need a Board more in touch with "the folks" and the future.
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