To the Editor:

According the to 2000 Census, there were 3,395 “households” in Franklin.

Almost 17 percent are in poverty status.

A majority, or 42.2 percent of the Franklin households, have income in the $25,000 to $75,000 range. Only 9.3 percent — or 318 households — had an income above $100,000.

The median income for Franklin in the 2000 Census is $31,687. The median income for all of the households in the state of Virginia as of 2004/2005 is $55,368.

The “median” income for the citizens of Franklin is $23,681 below the median income of all households in the state of Virginia.

Any adjustment for cost of living from 2000 to 2004 does not make up this difference.

Either way you cut it, it does not look good.

It is becoming more and more

clear that while we as a city do not have the income base other locals have, we are possibly paying more than them for some critical services as has been pointed out by Chuck Lilley in previous articles.

And it appears, we are possibly doing things we can ill afford, but seem to be doing them anyway.

How else to explain the cost per person of $5,714 as outlined in Dale Parsons’ previous letter to the editor?

We need leaders to ask the tough questions.

We need leaders who will spend our tax dollars wisely.

We need leaders to question the necessity of certain expenditures. We need leaders who will implement unpopular cost-saving measures for the good of all.

I am not saying it will be easy.

But where there is a will, there is a way.

The finance and accounting experiences of Barry Cheatham and Benny Burgess are sorely needed on the City Council. By supporting them for City Council, we will know every stone will be turned over before unnecessary increases are experienced by the citizens of Franklin.

Sandra Edwards

Franklin