I like railroads – really, I do. I never got rid of my 027-scale electric trains I had when I was a kid, and sometimes still set them up around the holidays. I also think having the narrow-gauge railway in Gray will be very cool. However, I’m appalled that using funds collected from the taxpayers of Gray is being considered to support that project. Whether the amount of the taxpayer subsidy is $1 or $1,000,000, it’s so, so wrong to use money collected by government force for anything but to support essential public services. However “cool” the narrow-gauge railway is, it certainly doesn’t qualify as “essential.” Nor is it “public,” and it never should be.

Yes, we get to vote on this in November, but that’s little consolation. A majority should never be able to vote property away from any individual for any purpose it fancies that can’t honestly be described as “essential.” If it can, the phrase “property rights” means nothing.

I also understand that the $498,000 is coming from surplus. No matter. While I’m glad that there is a surplus, it’s source was the taxpayers of Gray, and it should be returned in full to the taxpayers either in the form of a refund, or as a reduction in future taxes.

It is argued that the presence of the railroad museum here will be a boon to local businesses, who will then pay more taxes, reducing the tax burden on homeowners; therefore everybody wins. Call me skeptical, but I’m skeptical – that the average homeowner will see a positive return-on-investment. Those businesses that believe they will benefit can voluntarily contribute to the project in the amount they think is justified.

Private citizens who want the project to come to fruition are also, of course, free to make private, voluntary donations. In fact, if the proposal fails, I plan on doing so myself. It should be obvious, but taxes aren’t voluntary, which is why they should never be used for anything but truly essential public needs. With voluntary contributions, people and businesses would be voting with their own checkbooks, and this is the most honest (and the only fair) vote there is. If adequate funds can’t be raised in this manner, well, the people have spoken.

Please vote no on the proposed budget appropriation question.

Larry Szendrei
Gray