For a good while here in the Wilmington area, like in most places around the country, the economy was good. Plus the local government was riding on the past area tradition of conservative tax spending. Taxes were not an issue for most residents. Then several things happened. The economy went south, and the good, easy times started to fade. We also learned that developers who made their fortunes during our last real estate boom, did not pay for the things they should have, such as adequate sewer, water, roads, schools, etc. This was left for the future taxpayers, and that chicken has come home to roost. Then the conservative spending tradition was replaced by the "we need all this stuff" philosophy. So now the tax increases are finally hitting home. Let's STOP the waste, and projects we can not afford, like the Convention Center. Let's really watch our elected official who decide all this...like the new Water Authority.