Niles safety forces push for tax approval in forum

January 14, 2016 at 12:07a.m.

NILES

Despite the bitter cold Wednesday evening, nearly 70 residents turned out to hear representatives of the city’s safety forces and elected officeholders plead for public support for the 0.50 income tax increase that will appear on the March primary ballot.

If approved, it would generate $2.1 million in annual revenue solely for police and fire departments.

“We’re trying to maintain the safety forces, and without them, we’re nothing,” Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia told the crowd at First Presbyterian Church. “If we don’t pass this, there will be layoffs.”

With Niles in fiscal emergency since October 2014, the city is making its second attempt to pass a tax hike. Voters overwhelmingly rejected a 0.25 percent request last November by 56 percent.

The current income tax rate is 1.5 percent and is paid only by those working in Niles.

“We will pay regardless of how you vote,” said Ryan McNaughton, D-at large. “If you vote yes, we stay safe, but if you vote no, it will cost more for insurance for your homes and for businesses.”

“No business will want to come here,” said fire Chief David Danielson.

Much of the audience appeared supportive. No one voiced any intention to vote against the increase, but there were some obvious concerns, even from supporters.

“We have to be watchdogs and see where the money goes and where it stays,” said Wanda Burns, adding that money from safety forces levies in 1987 and 1990 wound up being allocated elsewhere.

“It’s a different story now,” replied Scarnecchia. “We won’t let anybody take money [except] police and fire.”

Another resident asked whether police could bring in more revenue by installing traffic cameras on U.S. Route 422.

“I don’t think the time is right to throw this into the city just before the election,” responded police Chief Robert Hinton to laughter from the crowd. The atmosphere became more serious when the chief warned that reduced safety forces will leave the city vulnerable, especially if a mass shooting or terrorist attack should occur at a location such as Eastwood Mall.

“What are we going to do if some guy opens up with an AK-47 or plants a bomb?” he asked. “We would only have three officers to respond, and that’s nowhere near enough.”

Dan Roberts, a Niles block-watch member, worried that residents who showed up already made up their minds to vote for the tax increase.

“This is like preaching to the choir, but I think we need to have more of these,” Roberts said.

Linda Marchese, D-3rd, who organized the meeting, said she spoke to some undecided residents who may have been swayed to vote in favor. “They came to listen,” she said.

While no committee has been formed to push for passage of the tax, safety forces and council members say they plan to address a number of city groups to try to persuade more voters. The group is hoping to have more public forums and smaller group meetings as part of their outreach.

“We have to stifle the negativity,” Danielson said. “We have to reach them somehow.”