October 2004 Newsletter: To all the good Barron County citizens participating in the tax reform effort. Your group has had a very active period since the last newsletter. I'm sure you have read about some of our activities in the county's newspapers, but here is a quick look at what's going on. First of all, we have been in attendance at all of the County Board Meetings and the Finance Committee Meetings. This has really made a difference in our knowledge of the County Board's activities. It has also aided in our presentations to the Board of Supervisors by Don Buerkley, who is doing a great job. C.A.R.T. has gained wide recognition and the County Board, we're sure, wishes that we would go away. We are, however, committed to remain as watchdogs on government spending and need to have more of our C.A.R.T. members and citizens at these meetings. The Supervisors have to realize there are concerned citizens that want some relief on their tax bill. Plan to attend the County Board Budget Hearing at 6:00 pm on October 18 at the old courthouse in Barron. Bring your questions and concerns; this is your chance to have some input on what the county spends in 2005. A tidbit of information, in 2004, you had to work until July 6th to pay all your taxes due for the year and the associated costs of doing so. This "Tax Liberation Day" seems to get later and later each year. Lets work together to change this trend! Your group has also been instrumental in the formation of the North Central Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. This is a group of counties that is joining together to fight the larger tax issues in Madison. We currently have five counties in the Alliance and hope to expand this to fourteen, which will cover the northwest quarter of the state. If we are successful, we will have gathered a powerful block of voters who can affect the outcome of elections having tax and spend candidates. This may be our best chance to bring a halt to the rising tax burden for Wisconsin's citizens. We are now formalizing Citizens Against Rising Taxes (C.A.R.T.) and have created a membership card and annual dues of $10.00 per person. This money will go to support the mailings and the cost of newspaper space to inform the voters of upcoming issues and candidates. Please print this form page, fill it out and return with your dues to: Bonnie Peterson, 819 26th Avenue, Cumberland, WI 54829. Call Bonnie at (715) 822-2008 if you have any questions about dues. Be sure to sign your card and spread the word. "We are working every day to stop the increasing tax burden." Watch this C.A.R.T. website for more information. Back to C.A.R.T. Newsletters and Meeting Minutes page.