Property taxes are due Feb. 16 in South Portland. How many of us understand where our money is going? Much of it goes to necessary expenses. However some of it goes to unacceptable expenses. Our city councilors can, and some do, get 100 percent free taxpayer-paid health insurance. What great things do they do to deserve such a wonderful benefit that no one else gets? They volunteer to run for a job that is volunteer, that does receive a pay stipend. On average they put in 10 to 15 hours a week. Who among us gets fully paid free health insurance for working that little? Their only requirement is to attend 75 percent of the meetings.

Even city employees need to work at least 24 hours a week to get partially paid health insurance. What makes these people so special? This is in-your-face elitism at its best, or worst, depending on how you look at it. At the same time they take this free health insurance they harp on how we need to cut spending, and what do they do? Shut off your street lights, and there are more to go. How nice; we pay our taxes, they get free health insurance and we get our street lights shut off. Please contact your councilor and let them know this is unacceptable.

Gary Crosby
South Portland