Tax protester begs on knees: "Don't do this to us..."

By Megan Baldino (mbaldino@wsbt.com)

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On Thursday night Kelly Haven got down on her knees, urging the Common Council to vote the Local Option Income Tax increase down. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Dec 12, 2008 at 8:30 AM EST

Story Updated: Dec 12, 2008 at 1:10 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Common Council meeting was standing room only last night as dozens showed up to protest an income tax increase.

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One woman even fell to her knees saying, "I can't pay these taxes...I'm going to get down on my knees and beg you, please don't do this to us."

That woman, Kelly Haven, wasn't the only one urging the Common Council to vote the increase down.

Juan Manigault also told the Council to vote against it.

"You have the opportunity to gain the trust of citizens by rejecting this law," he said

There were seven people who support the increase, saying they feared what might happen if it didn't pass.

"Cutting back on police, fire, parks, and other needed service undermines our way of life and leaves us all poorer," said Marty Wolfson.

After five hours of discussion, the council voted 6-3 in favor of the .5 percent Local Option Income Tax, or LOIT. They also voted 7-2 for a .25 percent public safety tax.

Voting for the .5 percent LOIT were Council President Tim Rouse, Tom LaFountain, Ann Puzzello, Oliver Davis, Karen White, and Al "Buddy" Kirsits. Voting against the tax were Derek Dieter, Henry Davis and David Varner.

Davis and Varner also voted down the .25 percent public safety tax.

Mayor Steve Luecke and many of his staff said the money is needed to make up for $13 million in lost revenue from the property tax cap passed by the state legislature.

"These are not new additional dollars for us, these are replacement dollars to replace what was lost with the property tax cap," said Luecke.

If the St. Joseph County Council votes in favor of the two proposals at its meeting Monday night, residents would start paying in 2009.

The City of Mishawaka says it is against raising income taxes, but only two of the three Common Councils in the county need to pass the increase for it to become law.

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