Vote for Issue 25 in Elyria to keep city on right path

As Police Chief of Elyria for the past eight years, I am writing to you today to voice my support for Issue 25.

Issue 25 is a ½ percent tax renewal that has been in effect for the last 35 years.

Passage of Issue 25 will not increase taxes, however, failure of Issue 25 can lead to devastating cuts in all city services, including public safety forces. It is not possible for the city to lose over 6 million dollars and not have it affect the city’s safety forces.

The ½ percent levy also supports many other operational divisions of the City, including the programs of the Parks and Recreation Department; the workings of the Street Department, the planning and design services of the City Engineer’s office and many more that are critical to the safety and security of this community.

The City of Elyria has weathered some difficult times since the recession of 2009. We have come through that storm and we are now making progress in rebuilding Elyria.

Now is not the time to roll backwards. This is the time for us to move forward and we can do that by continuing the course we set. The passage of Issue 25 will keep us on that path.

Anytime we can continue to improve without adding additional taxes is a win for us all. If you believe in Elyria, as I do, you can easily see the benefits of Issue 25. Your YES vote is for safety and security and Elyria’s future. Duane Whitely Chief of Police Elyria Police Department