MACEDC disrespectful to support KIL ND campaign
Lianne Zeltinger, Minot
The Minot City Council meeting had a couple of “intense” moments. The one I want to respond to is the comments and request by Alderman Scott Samuelson. First, I commend his steadfastness towards his principles, but also because of my support in changing the pocket from which property tax is paid. The groups such as the Chamber EDC are successful in large part because of the taxes collected in Minot and distributed to these various groups. Not all taxes are from property tax. Sales tax also comes from citizens who use their purchasing power in Minot and every person pays sales tax, even teenagers.
I find it quite disrespectful for a group so closely connected to our local government from whom they receive tax monies to not only verbally support KIL ND, but to also send a financial contribution to them.
KIL ND has raised about $1.8 million, of which about half comes from out of state organizations. For instance, $200,000 from the CHICAGO National based National Association of Realtors, $300,000 from the American Federation of Teachers out of Washington, D.C., and $400,000 from the National Education Association out of D.C.
Why would a local nonprofit organization support KIL ND that is truly not local, and not support the very people who do provide funding towards their operation? I have no answers except to say thank you to Alderman Samuelson for bringing this to light.