Dear Dawn Dodge (again)
October 23, 2025
Dear Dawn Dodge:
It’s me again. You remember, that rabble-rouser who called you out during the last election on being more obsessed with pollinator gardens than with getting the City’s fiscal house in order. I’d have sent this to you directly, but you’d probably just blow me off. Just like you did with the email I recently sent you. So please forgive me for taking it to a different forum.
Thank you for hosting the budget open house last night. I was disappointed to see more staff members in attendance than taxpayers, but that didn’t stop those who were there from engaging in some lively discussion. It all ended up as one big steaming pile of bullshit, but at least we were in a well ventilated room and the hour-long exchange did provide some eclectic entertainment. I was also relieved to see that the staff member who tried to get me to sign in at the desk wasn’t too mortally offended. As I was leaving, he even thanked me for coming. That was mighty big of him, I thought. It was quite the change from last year when some young kid left the desk to shove a clipboard in my face, telling me that I was “required” to sign in.
While waiting for the open house to begin, I thumbed through one of the handouts available at the desk prepared by your masters, the senior staff members seated on either side of you. Even though they work for you and us, a point I made in my email that you blew off, you let them do much of the talking and I get the distinct impression you and the rest of council think we work for them. And yet none of you see the tail wagging the dog as a problem. But I digress.
Similar to the one at last year’s budget meeting, I noticed another page trying to sell us on how grateful we should be that our water bills aren’t as high as they are in surrounding municipalities. On the back of the page was a graphic highlighting the difference between the cost of City water versus the cost of purchasing bottled water at Food Basics. Really? Is there anyone you have ever known who has even thought about running out to Food Basics to buy a case of bottled water to give little Johnny a bath instead of turning on the tap? Understandably, it made me wonder what other flimflammery was going on with the budget.
Back to the presentation, the first taxpayer to give you an earful read a long, prepared speech highlighting how skyrocketing property taxes are completely unsustainable. He noted how several people he knew were having trouble putting food on the table. Sadly, it doesn’t appear to be a problem you could relate to since you obviously haven’t been missing too many meals lately. I hope your doctor has advised you to drop some of that extra poundage you’ve put on since retiring from your day job at the Region. But again, I digress.
He also suggested that the City consider trimming their complement of staff, an idea your masters immediately shot down, instead suggesting they be incentivized to find efficiencies. And of course, you dared not disagree with them. Because again, the tail wags the dog. Rather, you pointed to how Mat Siscoe, who occupies the office of mayor, has ordered a value for money audit. Well, I feel better already. Or not. I remind you that this is the same Mat Siscoe who cheerfully ushered in the largest tax increase in recent history. Or maybe you’ve forgotten. It has been a long time.
It was much the same with the others who spoke. You heard us, you say, but I don’t sense you or Mr. Siscoe have been listening. “Every day is budget day at City Hall,” you said. Right. All except for the days in which the $2 million property on Geneva Street was given away. And the day the $500,000 toilet across from the downtown fire hall was approved. And the day the neighborhood micro grants were approved. And the days the rainbow crosswalk and the defilement of the front steps of City Hall were put in. And the day the $1 million for DEI was approved. You get the idea.
I laughed as you mentioned “programs” to help struggling taxpayers. But of course, not digging into our pockets with such a ravenous appetite isn’t an option in your eyes. And I nearly choked when you said, “Staff appreciate hearing from residents.” The hell they do. They act like Big Brother on the City’s Facebook page. Yours truly isn’t the only one who’s been shadow-banned or had their comments hidden. All those little tin-horn dictators want is for the masses to agree with them. Those who don’t can go fly a kite.
Despite all your bluster, it’s obvious that you just don’t get it. We’ve had enough of your tax-and-spend agenda. All I can hope for are for some credible candidates to step forward next year to challenge both you and Mr. Siscoe. People who are prepared to listen, not to the staff and their union or special interests, but to the most underserved and underrepresented group in the city.
The beleaguered taxpayer.
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