In reply to Mr. Shaw’s letter where he applauded the editor of the Daily Times for encouraging letters to the editor. Well, I can speak for myself on my past experience: I have written letters to the editor which were not printed, stating it contained old news. I wasn’t aware that letter writers were to be news reporters on current events. My past letter related to the fact that three of our city council members had filed personal bankruptcy and may be part of the reason our city is in financial ruins. It would appear that they have no financial responsibility with their own money, why would they have any with ours, the taxpayers of Portsmouth? On a current news event I will comment that the city council never appoints committees for such things as to encourage jobs or companies to locate in one of the many empty buildings the city owns, or even try to sell some of these properties that pays no taxes and costs us money to maintain. Hey, how about appointing a committee to improve our aging sewage and waterlines, should I even mention our lovely street conditions? But it appears they continue to look for more ways to collect taxes from us to pay for a city building. They just barely got a city income tax pasted to bail out the fire and police and their retirement fund. But look out property owners, you appear to be their next target for a property tax increase to pay for their wish list. Portsmouth is already facing falling property values as over 50 percent of homes in Portsmouth are rental properties and a large part in the millions of dollars are tax abated. So the burden will fall on the ones trying to keep a nice home, many being affected by out-of-town, uncaring landlords moving into their neighborhoods to make a quick buck. Doesn’t it strike you funny that our small village of New Boston is always working to get jobs and business in their area? I think this speaks for itself: our leaders have other priorities and we get to pay for them as always.

Harald Daub

Portsmouth