Is there a problem...You decide!!

COMMENTARY AND FACTS BELOW PROVIDED BY CITY OFFICIALS:
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The debate over a city-proposed 7 percent water rate hike completes a trilogy of misinformation over tax and rate increases you have seen this past year and poses serious concerns over Phoenix's credibility with taxpayers.
Let me present three significant myths you have been told and what story the evidence truly supports:

Myth 1: Food tax to save police and fire or pay for raises and bonuses?
Phoenix declares a fiscal emergency and on Feb. 2 passed a $50 million per-year food tax with barely 24 hours notice. The claim was that without the tax, police and fire would be cut.
Fact: On June 23, 2010, the city granted $29.6 million per year to city staff in pay raises and bonuses (see the agenda item from the June 23 formal meeting regarding merit and longevity increases).
Myth 2: Property tax increase to save bond integrity or to pay staff?
Phoenix declares a fiscal emergency in June saying that the secondary debt (used to pay off citizen-approved debt) is in dire shape and will have a structural deficit if the City Council does not approve a huge property tax rate increase.
Fact: On July 7, 2010, the city shifted $18.9 million from this fund to pay employee and operational expenses, creating the crisis it sought to avoid. Eventually, it will come to you again for a property tax increase to stabilize the debt fund (see the transcripts from the July 7 property tax vote).
Myth 3: Water rate increase for health and safety or to pay staff?
Phoenix declares that the health and safety of your water is in jeopardy unless council raises your water rates $22.9 million per year, or 7 percent on top of 40 percent in the past five years.
Fact: On Dec. 14, 2010, the city reported that 303 people cut from other departments are being shifted to the Water Department at a cost of $19.3 million per year (see the memo from the acting water services director).
In all three of these above events, city management led you to believe that your hard-earned money, earned in this recession while shouldering cuts and hardships, was needed for health and safety. But most of it went to make sure no one at the city had to bear the similar burdens as your family. I don't think that is neither fair, nor worthy of an institution that calls itself America's best-run city. Best run for whom?

     Folks we have a problem.  Someone has to expose the issues hurting our families and income. 

VOTE SALMAN FOR CITY COUNCIL.

New Phoenix Water Increase 7%

     The nation is at an upheavel and the people are struggling.  The price at the Gas pump is now over $3.10 per gallon.  Unemployment is up, home sales are down and money is hard to come by.  So with all that lets hike up the price of water.  WHY?  Not because it is low or the demand is high but because it will help the City build more revenue.  The City leaders are trying to squeeze water from a rock.  Families are struggling and just last year they stuck the people with a 2% food tax, now they are hiking up the water 7%.  What people are forgetting is the simple rule of economics.  If we increase peoples cost of living by a combined 9% they will have less money to spend.  If they have less money to spend the tax revenue which should sustain the city will decrease.  This in turn will give our City a larger budget defecit.  It seems to me like someone is not thinking. 

Michael Salman for Councilman - Issue - Immigration

     There is no secret that our country and even the world is in a recession.  People are scrambling for jobs.  Government is tightening its finances.  Families are feeling the crunch.  Meanwhile in a place outside of the world is Arizona and inside Arizona is the City Of Phoenix.  While the whole world is trying to figure out how to get income into its state and municipalities the State of Arizona and some in the City have found out how to get rid of income and tax revenues.
     I am going to just come right out and say because I believe in what I am saying.  I am against the new immigration law and SB1611.  These both target illegal immigration and in its surface seem to fight for the American Way but deep inside puncture a city and society through family and business destruction.  I know some of my opponents for District 5 are against what I am saying.  They may chomp at the bit to attack my statements, my character and my purpose for running but the truth is the truth.
     There was a news broadcast on ABC 15 that showed businesses abondoned, closed and deserted.  It also showed our neighbor states like Utah, Nevada, California and New Mexico are flourishing with new residents and new businesses.  The new immigration law targets more people than many want to believe.  Russell Pierce states that it is trying to protect the resources and income of Arizona.  What many fail to realize is when you remove families from our State you remove need.  When you remove need you remove employment.  When you remove the need to hire more people you create an unemployment problem.  Less people = Less Teachers = Less Firefighters = Less Police = Less Libraries = Less Federal Funding = MORE PROBLEMS.  This is a domino effect that hurts ALL IN ARIZONA, legal or not and especially in our City.
     So what can I as a Councilman do for my City?  When you have a City Council that understands the impact of the new immigration laws and they stand united together, they can make a difference, even in the Capital.  The problem right now is there is no unity.  Some believe for the immigration law and some believe against it.  There is not enough councilman who are standing up and being heard.  Many are hiding behind their silence for the sake of politics.  Claude Mattox who is the current District 5 Councilman and running for Mayor has been silent and his behind the scenes actions or inactivity are for the immigration laws.  While Greg Stanton the Deputy Attorney General who is also running for Mayor is against the law because he has seen the impact of it and the people it hurts.  Speaking to a City of Phoenix Official who has worked for the City for years has expressed to me the damage that this new law has caused families.  As Councilman of District 5 I want the people and the families of this City to know that they are protected and supported.  I want businesses to return.  I want revenue, teachers and different programs to be re-instated and flourish.
       There is no doubt that there must be immigration reform but the new laws and bills that are being introduced are not it.
     This is one of the issues I believe in and know that if elected Councilman I can have a voice in.  Thank you for your support and only with your help can we win.  Please pass this around and help me reach our City. 

Michael Salman
Candidate for City of Phoenix District 5