Ignore it now, complain later

Strasburg residents may be fussing a bit after July 1 when they receive their water, sewer and trash bills.

The Town Council plans to vote on the fiscal 2013 budget on June 12, and that budget, which includes water, sewer and trash rate increases, will go into effect July 1.

Already the Daily's online readers seem resigned to the fact that the budget will pass with the rate increase.

"More, more, more when we all have less, less. What can we do about it?....Let's face it, we have no voice regardless," one reader posted in the comments section on Thursday's story titled "Strasburg budget includes utility rate hikes."

Another online reader noted that Strasburg is going to do whatever they want..."but in the end, when no one can afford to live here and people and businesses move out, then they will be whining for more money. They can kiss it."

Well, the funny/sad thing about citizens feeling like they have no voice in local government is that the story was written about a hearing on the budget - and NOBODY from the public stood up to speak for or against the increases. The only ones speaking up that night were two residents who had comments about boarding animals at a local business.

You can either go with the flow and allow others to make decisions tabout what comes out of your wallet, or you can get involved and make your voice heard. Even if the outcome is not to your satisfaction, you can always say, "At least I tried" rather than gripe later about having to pay higher bills.