A SAMPLING OF YOUR RESPONSES:
1.00 a week will no break up any one when it comes to paying 4.00 for a pack of cigarettes theres no complain do witout a mcdonalds one day of that week all of my children work in charleston
Mary Osborne, Newton
I'm tired of being nickle 'n dimed all the time. It is not a privilage to work and/or live in Charleston, WV.
Shirley W., Charleston, WV
charleston needs better managment of there monies will they stop at a dollar a week?
Earl R Hall, Teays Valley
Where does it stop. Don't these people pay enough taxes. I work in Charleston but live in Roane County and I would not want to pay $1.00 to work there and help add more policemen when we can't even get enough policemen in our County. Absolutely a big fat NO!
Linda S. Bundy, Amma, WV
It wouldn't be a bad plan if the funds were actually used to better the city of Charleston but I feel that this will not be the case. Also, once the $1 fee is in place, I am sure that the fee will not stay at $1. Just like in Huntington, the fee is now $2. I feel that once the fee is in place, it will just continue to increase. Paying $1 a week is not that big of a deal but increasing that fee could really pose a hardship on a lot of people. I work two jobs just to make ends meet and I can't afford any more expenses. I'll bet Danny Jones will never have to work 2 jobs.
Karen, Elkview
We need more police officers and I don'f think that this is an unreasonable amount to ask for.
Frank Straughter, Charleston
I think that if the city would spend less on new furniture and other un-needed item we wouldn't have to worry about it. Also forget about the ball field in Charleston. That will be another 2 dollars later.
David, Charleston
I think it will be a good idea, if it is actually used for what they say, but time will tell, they usually say one thing and do another, and do nothing but make excuses. I work in Charleston, but live elsewhere and I also feel that I pay enough taxes as it is, so I can really see both sides.
Carol Epperley, Elkview
No I do not. I think that the people that will be paying this fee, should have the oppertunity to vote on this issue, before they have to donate 52.00 a year.
Gary Mason, Charleston
We just keep feeding the rich and letting our children do without!
Terri, Charleston
I think its wrong because there are lots of us that don't make alot of money. It takes every penny just to pay bills, feed kids and buy medicine. It may be okay if you want to take the money from the elite of Charleston workers.
Tina Naylor, Quick
No!! This is clearly taxion without repersentation. Unconstitional.
bill Stmp, spencer
Why do we need to penalize the working Americans? Will the mayor lift the extra tax once the economy recovers - I doubt it. As Reagan said, If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. I think it is time to reduce the size of government, not increase it.
Jeff King, Washington
I don't know about everyone else, but for me it's just a tax that I have no say in. Granted I work in Charleton but I don't live there. The dollar a week, $52 dollars a year, will not help me at all. I rarely drive on city streets and work at the Capitol Complex. The upgrade on the city streets won't help me and niether will more city police. I think that if the city of Charleston needs money they should look elsewhere such as a raise in the hotel/motel taxes. I don't know how the city of Charleston's compare to other cities but it wouldn't infringe on people who can't afford to pay this dollar a week. Most people say that it's just a dollar a week but for me that is one evenings meal. I barely make it on what I earn now, and the natural gas and electric are going up just when I will be using the most.
Sharon Petry, Chesapeake
I only work in Charleston 3 days a week - is this $1 going to be pro-rated on the amount of hours one spends working there? This is ridiculous. On a good day (a very good day), I can find a parking building for $3 - if I'm going to have to pay $1 a week, forget the police, I'd much prefer more convenient, less expensive parking!
Rose, Bomont
I am so glad that I moved away from there before this crazy User Fee idea. I couldn't imagine PAYING money to work in Charleston. Why doesn't Charleston create some jobs in the area worth paying for? I would rather throw $4 out of the window of my moving car than pay another penny to such a mismanaged city government. Charleston is an awful place to live and its getting worse all the time. Raising taxes will just drive people out.
Sean Breeden, Port Orange, FL
The user fee is taxation without representation. This country was formed in large part because our forefathers didn't feel that policy was a fair and just way to govern. They felt it was tyranny. There has to be another way.
ET, Hurricane
How are people supposed to get ahead if we're paying not only taxes to the state but a fee as well, especially part time workers. The parking fees are enough!
Amanda, Charleston
We pay tax (B&O), and a local tax. Take it out of Mayor Jones, and the Sheriff Tuck's pay as an honorable deductible for serving the city and it's patrons!Another idea would be to charge each rape/pedophile perpetrator that dollar per week for attending their meetings at the counseling centers in the area;or everyone found guilty in a court of law, pay a dollar for all the taxpayers time and money spent wasting time on their crimes!!
Beverly Grey, Montgomery
There are some who believe that there can never be enough money in the hands of elected officials on any level. Only working people must live on a budget. When will enough be enough?
Larry Barker, Madison
Not everybody who works in Charleston lives there and I don't think it is right that eveeryone has to pay. For example, someone I know works at Bob Evans at Southridge. Half of the parking lot is South Charleston city limits, the other half and the actual store is Charleston city limits, therfore she has to pay the $1 a week. I know it's not much, but for a waitress who only makes $2.13 an hour as it is, it actually is alot of money.
Sara, South Chaleston
As a 17 year old, I first of all wonder whether this will be imposed on me working part time. Secondly, I wonder what extra services we need as a city. I know that the city is using the sniper as an excuse to hire more policeman, but since when does a lifelong commitment become the answer to a temporary problem? In any case, the city of Charleston has a MUCH higher police to citizen ratio than most cities of its size, and by no means needs any more policemen. What I would suggest is possibly doing some housecleaning of the current police force. After witnessing the incompetence of some of Charleston's Finest, its no wonder that every citizen is afraid to pump gas at night. Also, I highly doubt that this money will be going ENTIRELY to those great services of the city, as we have no doubt seen in the past.
Jacob Stump, Charleston
Since our great mayor is so worried about Charleston, then why doesn't he work pro bono? I think that would help Charleston. I find it funny that he never mentioned the fee while he was trying to get elected. I wonder if that may of changed our minds, I know it would have mine!!
James, Elkview
I would quite my job in the city if this is done!
M. White
I already avoid working and shopping in Charleston to avoid paying monthly parking fees, additional fees, however small, don't entice me to work in Charleston. I don't see a need for additional police either...sounds like an attempt to make Charleston a speedtrap, which will not encourage tourists to stop as they pass through. Before proposing a fee hike the public should be provided with accurate, unbiased statistical information to gauge the necessity of additional police. Specific details about how the officers will be used to improve the quality of life needs to be considered. Speedtraps aren't needed, outreach to youths to stem the high level of drug abuse could be beneficial.
L. Quigley, Big Chimney
A tax by any name is a tax; state,county or city
Rick Milstead, Jacksonville fl
Greed has to stop somewhere
Thorn, Parkersburg
Some people do not make enough money to last them from pay day to pay day, why take an extra dollar from them, that could be for food for a baby.
Betty Waldron, Alum Creek, WV
I dont feel we should have to pay to work. I feel that this state already taxes us to death. The poor and middle class families cant afford to work as it is.
Linda L. Pipinos, Dunbar
Because it's only $52 a year for each worker in teh city of Charleston.
Johanna Jones, Charleston
People come to Charleston to enjoy the shopping, restaurants, entertainment, etc. If Charleston adds this TAX to its customers, I will assure them I will avoid visiting any business in the Charleston City Limits. South Charleston and Dunbar are close, and there is plenty of shopping in unincorporated areas. People come to Charleston because they want to. Maybe I can talk to my employeer about moving my department outside the city?
Cris Spradling, Charleston
How about a seat belt law. At $25.00 a pop the city would not have to charge me a dollar. But that will never happen. I see too many officers and legislature's not wearing seat belts. Just look around.
Chris Conner, Cross Lanes
This is an outrage, I work in the City and spend alot of the money I make in town, even though I do not live here I feel I contribute a lot to Charlestons economy. This Fee/Tax (even though they don't call it a tax that what it is)is taxation without representation. I didn't vote these officals in and have no recourse to get them out of office, so I guess that they feel they can do what they want to us. Mayor Jones say that the fee will not be raised while he is in office, what happens after he leaves or if they continue not to do with the budget. This fee may bring in 30 more officers a year now but as their saleries increase the fee will have to be raised to continue to fund them.
Ron Jenkins, Alum Creek
WV is one of the poorest states but one that has the most taxes. WV is taxing its people to death. That is why no one stays here. Most people want out!
Travis Ellison, Huntington
Why should surbanites get all the benefits of Charleston without having to pay anything for it. I say charge away!
Libby Rojas, Charleston
The people that work in Charleston pay $1.00 per week for 40 hr. of police protection? Then the people who live in Charleston get 120 hr of free coverage from the police. I thank that Charleston needs to go one better, set up a toll booth at every point of entry into Charleston and charge $0.50 per car as they come in and out of the City. We have a problem in this State with people finding jobs and now we want to make them pay for working! What can I say. What's the need Fee going to be for?
Gary E. Layne, Hurricane, WV
This is the reason why my wife and I moved from West Virginia to North Carolina recently. West Virginia and Charleston are so Non-Business Friendly. As much as we hated to move, this is among many reasons why and this is one of many reasons why so many more will continue to leave the state. West Virginia and Charleston should find other ways of raising revenues instead of sticking it to the people of West Virginia. I am sure this plan will not attract new business into Charleston
Bob, Raleigh, NC
I think all of the adults need to quit bitchen about the taxes. They have been raising taxes on cigerettes almost every year. It dosn't really matter because the parents buy the kids food and drinks anyway.
Shawn S., Slater, MO
We pay enough taxes in WV. What happen to the day of no taxes on food?
Duane Kirk, Charleston
The entire Kanawha Valley should be one city. Charleston has to pay for all of the services enjoyed by the entire valley. The urban population around Charleston is 170,000. If the city represented it's true size, it would likely recieve more Federal funds and may not need this tax; as is stands, they do. I'm all for it.
Chad Stepp, Nitro
I work for the Sanitary Board and I live in Ripley. For starters I think that all of the fee's for city services should be raised. I drive 70 miles every day. Why should I have to pay to work for a city that won't even consider raising fee's for services such as sewer and trash collection. Consider how much that would bring in to the cities coffer's. There are other ways to raise money. Additional police officers is not the answer to the problems Charleston has. A user fee is just another easy way out to add to the police force. I'm not downing the officer's we have they do a tremendous job with the resources that they have. I'm just saying that he needs to use his head better to come up with a better solution.
Paul Crowder, Ripley
Charleston is not going to use the money for a good cause. Everyone knows this. They just want to take everyones hard earned money because they can. If I did't have to work in Charleston I wouldn't. By next year they'll be taking at $2. And the next year $3. Errrbody wanna be like Huntington.
Gerald Mabry, Charleston
Heck fire NO! I say if you want more money, PLEASE tax beer, liqour, and wine. Maybe it will cause less deaths and less havic. The working man is taxed enough. Plenty of drinkers out there, and if they really like to drink, they will pay the extra tax!
S. Jude, Mingo County
Impose a tax on the people who live here who would benefit from the tax not those who do not live here and would not benefit from it.
C Holdren, Winfield
The City of Charleston has some financial issues to address, but are trying to include all the people that work inside the City limits to bail the City out of their woes. Thsi type of taxation is a classic example of Taxation without representation. The people that reside outside the City limits have no voice to express their feelings. Can't the City find another means to secure the necessary funds to accomplish the same effect with ONLY the residents of the City of Charleston?
James Aucremanne, So. Charleston
If the city wants to generate more money do without some frivolous projects--the new baseball stadium. We have more important needs in the city than a new stadium. No one comes to the old one anyway. Does the city really need to bail out the regatta?
James Fisher, Alloy
They should let the people who work in Charleston vote on this, not the one who will be excluded from paying the dollar, and you know the mayor and all of them aren't going to pay it.
Rhonda Brogan, Montgomery
It is hard enough to make ends meet the it is the cost of living is to high we dont need anything extra coming out of our paychecks tell danny jones to take the money out of his own pocket im sure he can afford to pay for everyone all he is doing is taking from the poor to give to the rich
Sylvia Taylor, Nitro
No, because the taxes we pay are more than sufficient.
Lisa Lovejoy, Palermo
I don't make very much money & to take out added fees might not seem like lot to some people, but to me it is a Big Burden.
Phyllis Strickland, Elkview
It is crazy to impose a fee. I dont live there or even shop in charleston. Why should i give one penny for poor planning. They need to go to the governer for more money. That is where all the extra money is located.
Rob, St Albans
I live in So. Charleston, and for a number of years I worked in Charleston until I retired. At that time, I would have been willing to pay a user fee for the privilege of working there. I see no problem with that. Our taxes are so low here in West Virginia now, I'm surprised that we have any public services. If we want decent public services, we have to pay for them. They don't drop from the sky. Surely West Virginians understand that without taxes, fees, levies, etc. we likely will have no schools, highways, bridges, recreation, protection, etc. If we think taxes are high here, just look at our neighboring states. Of course, they have better schools, highways, bridges, recreation, and protection. You get what you pay for.
Thomas H. Pendleton, South Charleston, WV
Charleston has forced State Government to stay in the city limits, and now they want to force the employees to pay for the priviledge of working in Charleston. If there were more opportunities outside of Charleston, I am sure more people would want to go there, rather than pay $52 a year to work in town.
Scott
We are Postal Retire's from Ohio, Most of the City's hava a income tax
Robert Bowyer, Sutton
Those people use the streets, the fire depts, the police if needed. Most cities of this size have an income tax and when I worked in other states, we had city income taxes for those who worked in city. Charleston is behind the times and the people need to come up to reality.
Judy, Elkview
We're already struggling to pay the bills as it is! Stop taking our money!
Eric Saidi, Charleston
I think they will lose more than they will gain! People will shop and eat outside of Charleston more and they will lose the B & O tax on that!
Nina Williams, Tornado
It will hurt all of those who are working for minimum wage or not much more. I'm single and live with the bare minimum, for utilities. I barely make it from payday to payday as it is. There a lot of households that have more than one person working in the city, or work more than 1 job, just trying to make ends meet. I feel this will be too much of a hardship on anyone whose salary is under $50,000.00, singles, single parents, or retirees. Everything keeps going up, except salaries. The economy is such that this will make things harder, for most people who work in the city.
Mylinda Maddox, Charleston
I work every day in Charleston and would be happy to contribute 1.00 per week for police protection and road maintenance. A fair price for me to pay I think for the use of Charleston's resources
Lucy, St. Albans
The city wants more money then the mayor and counsel should offer to take a pay cut first. They should try do their utmost to find the best deal on all purchases. If that is still not enough, like that will happen, they should raise the b&o tax and then take from those that will benifit most from the officers, the residents of the city.
Cliff Wilkinson, Cottageville resident with charleston workplace
No way, there is some people that make only enough to take home and leave on.. I think that this is stupid. They can do something else to make money instead of using peoples money they work hard for.
Shelia, Charleston
I am currently in the job market. My choices have just been limited to jobs outside of Charleston city limits. I refuse to pay the user fee. I feel that i wont be alone in this decision. In my opinion they have succesfully alienated the city from those who dont live within city limits with this tax. It is a clear cut case of taxation without representation, as those who dont live in charleston, those who the fee effects, have no voice in the city council.
Corey Lake, South Charleston
Tax 'em hard enough and they'll go elsewhere . . .
Jimmy
It won' work and the mayor know this
Billy Keen, Charleston
What about the people that work in Charleston but dont live there , they get nothing for that $1 a week what about all the low income families that have to travel there to work because there is no work out where they live , well that $1 a week taking from 2 working parents could pay for there kids Lunch and breakfast at school or for there supplies that they need to learn with , has anyone thought about this ?
Naomi, Walton
West Virginians pay too much in taxes now.
Mark Halburn, Hurricane
This plan will only cost us more than a dollar very soon. Also it will ensure NO business will locate in such a ignorant town.
Jesse Dick, Poca
They drive on Charleston's roads. Make them pay to maintain them. They pollute Charleston's air. Make them support environmental cleanups. They sap Charleston's economic benefits. Make them return the favor.
David Carroll, Lewisburg
We are already giving 25-33% of our pay to the govt for funding of these programs. Our streets are yuck, schools are yuck, and now we can't afford adequate police? Where is all this money going?
Rose, Charleston
I was of the opinion that the US Supreme Court had outlawed any tax that involved capitation. That is, a person's body cannot be taxed. Inanimate objects or tangible property can, but not the persons existence.
John S. Shackelford, St. Albans
The prople that work in Charleston do their shopping there, pay to park their cars, give donations to everything coming and going. Now you want them to pay more for working there? What if we take our shopping elsewhere? What if we get jobs out of Charleston? Come on, We do help the area already. I like to shop in Charleston since its where I work. But I Do No Have To, so where is the most money lost, maybe some officials can take a pay decrease, look what this would generate.
Sally Anderson, Walton
Most people blow more than $52 bucks per years on worthless crap. Charleston is more than worth the buck a week for the benefits the tax would bring to our city.
Jamie, Nitro
That dollar that he would be taken away from me could go towards something for my 2 kids.
Nikki Witt, St. Albans
The city of charleston should pay each person that work in a place like charleston wv
George Small, Charleston
This is another example fo Charleston running people out of town. It appears that they do not want people who do not live in Charleston to stay out of town. That is what My family and I do.
Larry G. McMillian, Cross Lanes
What's all the fuss about? It's only $4.00 per month. A cheap way for the city to make some extra money. I'm certainly NOT opposed to this. I think it could have been presented more favorably.
Ann Richardson, Charleston
Why should we pay the $1.00 fee. I think the city needs to re-evalute their budjet. We as West Virginias pay enough already in everythng else including taxes. Many people only get paid minimum wage in the city. What are they going to do, run the little people out of Charleston?
Jessica, Charleston
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