A long held view of mine has been that if we, that citizens, demand city services we should be willing to tax ourselves to pay for them.

Regarding the $15 million tax increase you are being asked to approve for the city of SeaTac Fire Department, ask yourself these questions.

Have you demanded a 32 percent increase of fire personnel? Have you demanded a 170 percent increase in staffing expenditures? Have you demanded a new ladder truck company? At a public meeting have you been asked for your input?

As one who has followed closely the "bull-dozed" process that has to this proposition, I know your answer to these questions is no.

I am very disappointed that our elected council has in a slick city-wide mailer, signed by all seven members, "decided to unanimously support Proposition 1." This mailing, and a professionally produced DVD playing on TV, was funded with your tax dollars.

Unlike them, I urge you to get out and vote - but not to tell you how to vote!

The council states they have "only enough reserve funds (your previous tax dollars) to build the most expensive Station 46." But they had no problem coming up with $18 million "incentive money" for developers.

"It will also provide our city with the much needed ladder truck, including staffing, which will reduce the need for mutual aid." (Statement For, Voters Pamphlet). There were six ladder trucks at a recent July 4 fire. What is the matter with mutual aid? Adding a ladder truck requires NINE more full-time firefighters and cost an estimated $1 million plus dollars for the truck!

Defeating Proposition 1 sends taxpayers message, "Let's get real."

Joseph Dixon

SeaTac