Well, Mayor, how will we pay our own bills?

"How do we meet these future obligations that we have, as well as fixed costs that keep going higher and higher and higher?" Mayor Hannemann said ("Council members urge property-tax cuts," Star-Bulletin, Dec. 21).

Well, Mufi, that's the same question we have every day. You know us, the people who voted for you. Your answer is to turn a blind eye to the obscenely inflated housing costs and gladly accept the increase in property taxes. Your answer is to take more money from us. Our answer is to not vote for you again.

You're a disappointment; all we've got so far is a taller mayor.

Rising exemption would aid homeowners

Most homeowners complain when the latest assessed valuation increases their property tax. But how many complain about the increased value when they decide to sell? They smile all the way to the bank with the extra profit.

But it is fair if a progressive system of property tax assessment would include some credit as long as the person lives in that house. Instead of a flat homeowners exemption, I suggest a percentage that will increase the exemption as the values rise.

Owners of illegal cars should pay their share

With all the news about higher fees for almost everything, it's about time the burden gets spread around. It's time for the police to start stopping the many unregistered vehicles that are being driven. They are very easy to spot at any stoplight. Besides the expired tax decal, just look for the cracked windshields, no seatbelts being used, children standing on the front seat or on the lap, or the bass booming from the car with the modified suspension and no recon sticker.

I see it every day; why can't the policeman sitting in the car next to me see it? Can't the police department assign just one officer to call a tow truck to get these freeloaders of the roadway?

Putting junk mail where it belongs

Recently, I had a huge amount of small packages and Christmas cards to mail. It wasn't easy to carry them, so I put them into a trash barrel. I took them into the post office and mailed them. As I was leaving, I saw a friend who asked me what had been in the trash barrel, to which I humorously answered, "Oh, just junk mail!"

Let everyone celebrate Christmas their way

Let's keep Christmas alive!

I am not religious, but I feel that we should all enjoy the Christmas season as before instead of dampening it. I have heard many pros and cons about the "war on Christmas," and it is my analysis that it is religious people who want to make it an issue of Christmas as an exclusively religious day.

Christmas is a joyous season for everyone, and people observe it as a time to celebrate by giving gifts, with Santa and all the things that make it a nice time. We should all respect others' beliefs. Maybe the reason some people prefer to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" is because of those who are religious and who don't respect others who are not. Merry Christmas!