McCook in trouble

I enjoy the editorial page in the paper each day even though I don't always agree with every thing on it. I know that is the idea of that page, to give all of the readers something to think about. That is one of the reasons I felt the "Speak Out" letters was a good idea. Of course I know some of them got carried away but it was a way for some of us to express our ideas and not let everyone know who we are.

I do enjoy your column and you have mentioned keeping the score on the for and against school bond vote coming up. I hope this letter might give you an idea to write about, if not at least you will have another view point.

I don't know what percentage of the residents of McCook are retired and/or senior citizens but no doubt it is quite high. I wonder how much longer most of us can continue to make our home here? I'm going to give you an example in dollars and cents.

The first of the year my husband and I together received $42.80 per month raise on our Social Security. At the same time our Medicare went up $7.90 each per month, our Supplement went up $11.07 each per month. The total of those raises amounts to $37.94 per month. If my math is right that leaves us a grand total of $4.86 raise per month.

Then when the tax bill came we have a new charge of a few cents over $150.00 for the City of McCook Dept. S., whatever that is but no doubt has something to do with our water mess. Our $4.86 per month won't begin to pay for that.

Now for just pennies a day we can get our school building project taken care of, then just a few more pennies more we can build a new jail. Not to mention the DOLLARS and CENTS to take care of all the water problems.

I want to know when will it end, just drive around town and look at all of the houses for sale signs, one of the newer apt. complexes even offers a free months rent to get people to move in. I think McCook is in trouble.

I hope you have read this and "Thanks" for taking the time.

A concerned McCook senior citizen.