I found it contradictory when I read the article, “Backus enters mayoral race” (Auburn Reporter, Jan. 25), that one of her main priorities is roads.

Backus, who has been on the Auburn City Council for 10 years, is just now trying to make an effort to fix the failing roads. Not only that, the council recently voted to reduce the amount of money going to fix our roads from $2 million a year to $1.1-$1.3 million. Speed limits then were reduced “because of the conditions of the roads,” yet in the committee meetings they said it was to reduce the amount of people using Auburn as a thoroughfare.

Let’s not forget the likely tax increase of $5 million a year to pay for these roads that taxpayers are already paying for.

I have suggested to members of the City Council to reduce the amount of money that the City spends before raising taxes. Some examples of excess expenses are the golf course that received about $400,000 from the general fund to cover its losses, or the Auburn Ave Theater that loses another $400,000 a year. We need to look at paying for what we have and being responsible with our finances before asking the tax payers to pay more.

How many times have these career politicians told us that they will fix these problems? We need someone who has the commitment and follow through to do what is needed, not just talk about it. It’s time Auburn should have someone who will tell the truth, to spend taxpayers’ money efficiently, to apply common sense and outside-of-the-box thinking.

I understand not everything is black and white, but we need someone who will stand by their actions, who will look toward the future and put Auburn on the path to prosperity.

– Scot Pondelick, candidate for Auburn mayor