Even though I live outside the Oak Harbor city limits, my thoughts and comments are for both the Island County Commissioners and the Oak Harbor Mayor and City Council; food for thought.

I am retired Navy and work as a DOD employee. Two years ago my retired pay was frozen for budgetary reasons, so I had to readjust and make do with what I had. Then to find out that January of this year my current pay is now frozen (as are all the federal workers) for two years, and some legislators are actually trying to make it five years. What a shock. Once again I have to readjust and tighten the belt and put much less into savings or retirement plan and still continue to pay for my house and provide for my family along with funding a child in college (in state school) which the tuition is going up 11 percent this year.

Every time I read in the paper or hear on the news that the city council, county commissioners or the school board are looking at ways to bring in more money by raising fees, creating new fees for whatever or raise taxes, I cringe. If I am forced to do with less and make do with what I have and make cuts in my life, then local government had better do the same. Stop the business as usual and adding the burden of your spending habits, to us the taxpayers. We elected you to these positions because we (the voters) thought you were competent in running or handling the position for which you were elected.

Start doing something for us the voters and tighten your belts. Use the budget that is in place or voted on and stop squeezing us for more. Do with what you have, and make it work. I have to do it along with most of the other people that live here. I would be much obliged.

R. Johnson

Oak Harbor