Letter: First-time Voter Asks "Affordable for Who?"

To the editor,

I’ve heard my whole life that Woodbridge just needs to build more housing, and our problems will be solved. Add a couple dozen “affordable” units here, another dozen there, and everyone’s better off—right? Well, in the words of Norm Kelly: “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”

We can debate how to do affordable housing as long as we want, but can we do it in good faith when it’s already unaffordable for the people here? For example, look at this year’s dilemma: about a $1,300 jump per house in taxes just this year alone.

And the pattern isn’t limited to a few unlucky households. When you look at the distribution of tax changes town-wide, most homes saw increases in the low thousands, some saw modest decreases, and a small number faced very steep hikes. In other words, the typical homeowner paid significantly more.

When our costs jump, we make tough decisions and cut elsewhere in our budgets. However, when our government has the same problem, they vote to pass it onto us. It’s far easier to raise taxes than for a family to magically find new income, especially when money’s already tight. If we have to live within our means, our leaders should show the same discipline.

As a first-time voter, I’d love to move back to Woodbridge after college, but that possibility fades each year. For having a top school system, we don’t do much to keep our graduates here, and make Woodbridge a place the next generation can afford.

We grew up enjoying Woodbridge for its schools, people, and open space. You only get one hometown to return to. That’s why I’ll be casting my first vote for A Common Ground For Woodbridge, and I urge everyone to do the same.

Daniel Mowerman