Renovo Resident Opposes Possible Tax Hike


by Barbara Mastriania


RENOVO – Renovo resident Marlene Ruhl is opposed to a borough tax hike proposed for 2014.

Council is expected to rule on the tax hike at its 7 p.m. meeting Thursday.

She voiced her opposition at this month’s borough council meeting and again in an interview earlier this week.

Ruhl, who resides with her husband on Eighth Street, said she believes a tax increase will be a hardship for many borough residents. Many of her Eighth Street neighbors for instance are elderly and living on fixed incomes.

“They’re mostly seniors. They have to worry about food on table, how to pay doctor bills and purchase medications. $30 or $40 dollars more won’t hurt me but is will hurt some of my neighbors,” she said.

Ruhl said it is her understanding that Renovo council plans to vote for an increase of 1.5 mills at Thursday night’s meeting and that there are enough votes for the increase to pass. “But it still doesn’t mean we can’t ask,” she said. “I understand they want to get this budget done, people aren’t asking for a handout, we’re asking or a fair shake.”

She said she also understands that even if this council votes for the increase, the incoming new council may not keep it.

Much of Ruhl’s opposition is based on her view council spends money it doesn’t have.  An example she uses is spending $30,000 to bring down the K of C building. “It’s not fair to us. $30,000 is a lot to spend when you don’t have it. As a business person I don’t understand that.”  
It bothers her too that ownership of the K of C building is unclear. “Who did the state pay the liquor store rent to? Certainly the state paid it to someone.”