I see city councilmembers have, finally, pulled their head out of the sand in regard to the Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corp. (LHCDC).

The article in the Oct. 22 Lompoc Record only hints of a small portion of the problem. It seems only a few know that after they buy a property, all taxes being paid on that property are removed from the tax rolls.

So, here we have a nonprofit corporation buying all these properties, using our tax dollars to cover the purchase, plus extra monies to repair and upgrade for renting to low-income and illegals. These tenants usually qualify for Section 8 payments, which is another way of using government funds.

Here we have the LHCDC not making payments to the city. We are paying a subsidy for the renters, using our tax dollars for purchase and improvements, and losing tax dollars in the form of property taxes. Now the city loses at both ends of the deal.

Just think of all the money we would have for our police and fire departments, if we got rid of all these boondoggles and put the money back where it came from.

I feel it's time for the city to get off its behind and stop this misuse of our tax dollars. Just think of how much these monies would have helped to clear up the gang and tagging problems in our city.

John H. Spicer

Lompoc