Sometimes politicians are criticized for sticking their fingers in the air to see which way the wind is blowing.
It’s a colloquial way of saying the elected officials are trying to figure out how their constituents feel on a given issue.
I’ve always wondered if they stick their forefingers in their mouths first, so they can detect the slightest breeze.
On successive days I took these pictures of the wind blowing the American and Crystal Lake flags in different directions.
No need to wet a finger to see which was the wind was blowing.
Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley and five of the city councilmen apparently see no need to get feedback on whether their constituents favor raising the city’s sales tax by 75%.
The only opposing city councilman (so far, at least), Jeff Thorsen, told me Wednesday that the vote on this massive $5.8 million annual tax hike will be next Tuesday night, the same night the McHenry County Board will be considering raising property taxes through imposing a Special Service Area tax on Wonder Lake residents.
Click on comments@crystallake.org to send city council members your opinion. In the subject line, put the name of the council member you wish to get your email.
In case you need reminding, here are their names
- Ralph Dawson,
- Cathy Ferguson,
- Dave Goss,
- Brett Hopkins,
- Ellen Brady Mueller,
- Aaron Shepley, and
- Jeff Thorsen.
If you don’t want to city council to raise your city sales tax 75%, you might to email each of them.