On May 29, some of us will have the opportunity to cast a vote for or against proposed incorporation and home rule for the Town of Falcon. We oppose these proposals and will VOTE NO for the following reasons:1. Increased taxes: The proposed sales tax increase of 1.6 percent appears to be quite inadequate to fund the proposed government. Once the town government is established, we believe there will be requests for more funding through sales and property taxes, to provide for everything now being promised.2. Duplication of services: The law enforcement and services promised for the new town are now provided by El Paso County. Taxes will increase to provide the same services we now have. The proposed town boundaries may create confusion for those responding to calls from areas within and near the proposed town.3. Fear tactics: The threat of annexation by Colorado Springs has been used to promote incorporation and home rule. Colorado Springs continues to publish plans that deny any interest in the annexation of Falcon. The gain in tax revenues would not cover expenses to upgrade the infrastructure. The threat of uncontrolled development has been raised as an issue. The adoption of home rule allows the Town of Falcon to overrule El Paso County on zoning and development issues and work directly with developers.4. Additional government: The proposed Town Charter includes clauses for eminent domain, increased sales and property taxes, the creation of special districts, annexation of adjoining areas and a town staff. We live in this area, in part, to avoid additional layers of government. There will be no change or additional services by the post office, the school district or the fire department.5. Secrecy and control by a few: Proponents have had no public meetings since 2005 and continue to refuse to meet publicly to discuss the details of incorporation. There is no proposed budget for anticipated town revenues or expenditures for promised services. Proposed boundaries for the Town of Falcon have changed to improve the chance that the proposals will pass.We donít need it.We donít need higher taxes.We donít need services we already have.We donít need protection from annexation by a city that doesnít want us. We donít need a group that wonít or canít communicate, as our leaders. We donít need additional government.We have considered the promises, the threats, the potential benefits and the potential losses. We have concluded that this is the wrong idea at the wrong time.Join us in preventing a big mistake as we VOTE NO on May 29.Falcon Area Residents Operating Under Truth (FAROUT) 719-495-1500 www.NoFalconCo.orgSigned by the following Falcon residents and Falcon property owners:Jeff HarrellKathy HareJeannie SeetchFrederic HermanSarah NoelJoe TurnerRandy SigeyWilliam HathawayPayton DillahuntyMr. & Mrs. Michael StuckJay KennedyGrace HudsonRichard J. RaiaJeff GieckKim GieckKathy HarrellLeonard (Len) CampaigneTony Wuckowitsch
