Sales tax revenues are down - big surprise. I can't speak for every city or every county, but I can say what happened in the city of Gloversville.

1. The city of Gloversville reassessed the taxes of property owners.

2. Then there was a big change in how the School Tax Relief program was applied to the working poor.

3. Much higher taxes were applied to these property owners.

4. People have put their homes up for sale to avoid being overtaxed.

5. The real estate market took a nose dive.

6. Gasoline prices soar.

7. Unemployment continues to rise.

8. Property values dropped.

9. People owe more on houses than they are worth.

10. Now homes are worth less than their assessments.

11. Foreclosures increase dramatically (no tax revenue here).

12. Workers are being asked to take furlough time from their jobs to help with the economy.

13. Workers are not given raises or bonuses to help their employers stay in business.

14. Seniors are told the cost of living is not up, so no raise as gasoline prices start to rise again.

15. One thousand temporary jobs lost five months early.

16. Still waiting for the Walmart supercenter.

Sales tax revenue is down because we all have had to take a much closer look at our expenses and cut back on anything that isn't a necessity. Gloversville is in a political turmoil (ongoing). Hopefully, things will improve after the election.

Listen up, Gloversville. A "hiring freeze" is not going to make a big difference. You have to do better than that. You owe it to your residents to straighten out this mess before everyone just gets up and walks away. The taxpayers have already made numerous cutbacks in their personal lives. Now it is time for city, county and state governments to make some cutbacks on spending. As painful as it may be, maybe cut back on some services until there is an improvement in the economy. Better yet, share some services with other towns and cities. Do it now before it is too late.

SUZANNE ZELICH

Gloversville