To the Editor:

Throughout the last several months, I have expressed my priority to hold the line on taxes to the voters of St. Lawrence County. The never-ending story of tax increases has to stop. As described by our Real Property Department, if St. Lawrence County continues to raise taxes, we are going to hit a brick wall and see an unprecedented number of foreclosures.

Even with these circumstances, some members of the Board of Legislators continue to support increasing taxes. Several members and candidates are discussing tax hikes as normal business. Public opposition can be seen in a recent survey conducted by NorthCountryNow.com where the majority of responses opposed a tax increase and supported downsizing government.

The people of St. Lawrence County cannot afford additional tax hikes! This is why as your legislator, I will vote to hold the line on taxes. As with any budgetary shortfall in the private sector, our county needs to cut spending and improve inefficiencies. A $10 million dollar budgetary shortfall may seem like a lot, but it can be cut from the county’s $221 million dollar budget.

Matthew Flynn II

Candidate for County Legislator District 8

(Canton, Potsdam, Madrid)