Opinion and Commentary By Linda Sutter – January 16, 2024

Ladies and gentlemen,

I stand before you today deeply concerned about the state of our community, particularly in Del Norte County and its impact on the hardworking residents of Crescent City. The statistics are alarming – according to Health and Human Services, 46% of Del Norte County residents are on Medi-Cal. This indicates a significant portion of our population is in need of support and assistance when it comes to healthcare.

But it doesn’t stop there. Many of us have been hit with financial burdens in the form of increased insurance rates. My own car and home insurance rates have skyrocketed by 15-20%, and I know I’m not alone in feeling the strain of these additional costs. For me, this means an increase from $628 to $800 every six months for my insurance. And to add insult to injury, the county has raised our property sewer user rates by a staggering 245%. Now, the city is proposing to raise our sewer rates as well. It’s difficult to comprehend how these continual hikes in essential expenses are sustainable for the hardworking people of our community.

What’s even more troubling is the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding these financial matters. It’s been revealed that the city once made a profit of $6 million dollars from our sewer rates. The question begs to be asked: where did that money go? It seems that public funds were used to resurrect the Tri-Agency to the tune of $30,000 without a clear plan for repayment. And now, we’re faced with the prospect of even more financial strain as the city seeks to limit our ability to challenge these unwarranted taxes through referendum.

This situation is simply unacceptable. We, as citizens and taxpayers, deserve better. We deserve transparency, accountability, and a government that acts in the best interest of its people. It’s time for us to come together and demand answers. We must hold our elected officials accountable for their actions and ensure that our voices are heard.

I urge you to join me in standing up against these unjust financial burdens. Let’s demand transparency regarding how our hard-earned money is being used. Let’s push for accountability and responsible governance. And most importantly, let’s fight for our right to have a say in matters that directly impact our livelihoods.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can ensure that our community thrives, rather than struggling under the weight of unfair financial burdens. Thank you.