Lost lesson from Dixon: How to make do with less

WILLIAM KIRKHAM made this interesting observation in the June 4 Dispatch/Argus. "Writing about the Rita A. Crundwell case is pretty much like beating a dead horse. Nonetheless, there is one extremely important point pertaining to the Crundwekk fiasco and the city government of Dixon which I have never seen mentioned in print or heard spoken of on broadcast news or its analysis. ..... This case demonstrates the fact that for 22 years the city government was able to operate with $53 million fewer dollars! What an excellent illustration that government is very capable of functioning with less money. ..... The City of Dixon did not collapse and the elected officials had a more difficult time making it work but they did make it work, This point brings to mind saying that our hardworking ancestors used to quote, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." ..... Perhaps we might do well to live by that creed rather than, "Spend more, raise taxes, spend more, raise taxes," ad infinitum. ..... I want people to think of this when our elected officials and others claim that it is a necessity that taxes be raised every other year or so. Logical solutions to operations and management needs or fixing problems which arise don't always mean asking the cash-strapped citizenry to open their wallets over and over again."