I both smiled and became angry at the patronizing attitude of three Dane County Board members who signed a letter to the editor in Wednesday’s State Journal.

They applauded the majority board’s efforts at dealing with less tax revenues and state reimbursements, while still providing “world class family service programs and high quality public safety.” Some question the degree of public safety to be provided, and property taxpayers don’t need and can’t afford “world class programs.”

While patting taxpayers on the head, and simultaneously patting  themselves on the back, Sup. Scott McDonell, Brett Hulsey, John Hendrick and 19 others approved a 7.9 percent county levy increase.

Only 13 supervisors voted against this budget, and they deserve our thanks during these recessionary times.

They are Sups. Eileen Bruskewitz, Patrick Downing, Ronn Ferrell, Duane Gau, Melanie Hampton, Gerald Jensen, Patrick Miles, Dennis O’Loughlin, Kyle Richmond, Dave Ripp, Bob Salov, Kurt Schlicht and Mike Willett.

And kudos should also go to City Council members Jed Sanborn and Thuy Pham-Remmele for introducing amendments and speaking against the recently passed city budget, which dictated a 4.1 percent tax increase. They were the only two out of 22 to do so.

— Tom Consigny, Madison

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