Mike Pope has used his self-professed opposition to the dreaded $40 per car “sticker tax” to earn one and a half terms on Villa Hills City Council so far. His “alternate-reality” city website regularly attacks the “sticker tax” as unnecessary and unfair. Pope has railed about non-compliance but then oddly attacked Councilman Greg Kilburn when Kilburn suggested publishing the names of the residents who had not complied. Pope went so far as to suggest that publishing the names would “pit neighbor against neighbor”. As if residents weren’t already upset with “sticker tax” scofflaw neighbors.
The Martin Chronicles wonders why then did Pope vote for moving the collection of the “sticker tax” to Judge Executive Steve Arlinghaus' County Court House?
First, Pope’s “YES” vote was a CLEAR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT of the $40 per car tax. While Pope has never once made a motion over his three years on council to repeal the tax-despite his many campaign promises-he has now gone on record with his vote to CONTINUE the tax.
Second, Pope’s “YES” vote makes the tax even more unfair by exempting people who drive company cars and, far worse, rewards the “free-roaders” who are already skirting Kentucky law with out-of –state license plates. This despite the fact that the “sticker tax” ordinance requires those vehicle owners to comply. (It is also important to note that Mayor Martin and Councilman Kilburn’s claim that it only represents twenty vehicles is FALSE. Best case, Kilburn foolishly took Martin’s word for that. Worst case, Kilburn was a willing accomplice in the DECEPTION.)
Third, Pope’s “YES” vote makes it far more difficult for the decimated Villa Hills police department to enforce the tax. No car will display the infamous sticker. How will a police officer know whether the owner of the car has even made the trip to the County Court House to renew their vehicle registration yet?
Fourth, Pope’s “YES” vote ensures that the City will collect even less revenue for street repair. This despite the fact that Pope has made a regular habit of criticizing the shortfall in anticipated revenue from the “sticker tax”. Despite Martin and Kilburn’s FALSE claims, the City is walking away from several thousand dollars in revenue with their exemption of the owners of company vehicles and “free-roaders”. Additionally, the City will now be paying several thousand dollars to Judge Executive Steve Arlinghaus’ Court House for the collection of the tax.
The Martin Chronicles already knew it. We hope you “get it” now too. You see, Mike Pope is the worst form of craven politician. Pope campaigned against the $40 “sticker tax”. He employed the most deceptive demagoguery to attack the “tax” and its’ proponents. He played to peoples’ anger over the unwillingness of their neighbors to also pay the tax.
Then, when confronted with the first real opportunity to back up his words with a vote, Pope’s words rang hollow. Pope walked away from all of his promises. Pope voted to CONTINUE the "sticker tax".
Remember, council elections are 308 days away.
