By Mercury staff and readers

When we started asking our readers for their opinions about the three major issues facing established communities like Pottstown so we could present them to the people at First Suburbs, we weren't quite sure what to expect.

What we got were some recurring themes (lower property taxes, cut spending) and some thoughtful and in-depth analysis from several sources, including one of our own bloggers and members of the Code Blue civic group.

What follows is a partial sampling of the nearly 50 comments we received through Facebook, e-mail and over the telephone.

Mark Lodzuk via Facebook on why his taxes are too high: "Because township officials make too much money."

Debra Weber via Facebook on the impact of Section 8 housing in her neighborhood: "There are many section 8 houses in my area where section 8 is really being abused. 2 or more families in one home."

Positively Pottstown blogger Sue Repko: "In towns that are experiencing the economic disinvestment described earlier - the loss of industry and large and small businesses - the value of the housing stock becomes more critical to the property tax base. And because education is by far the most expensive part of public services, a strong housing market is essential. Yet, the housing markets in First Suburbs suffer the same kind of disinvestment. How can the cycle be broken? Of course, that's the multi-billion dollar question. And, of course, there's no way I can answer it."

An anonymous caller left a message on reporter Evan Brandt's voicemail that said: "I never paid to put a child through school and I think we should expand the sales tax and lower property taxes. That would get more people involved in pay for the schools and it would allow seniors on a limited income to not lose their homes, which is getting tougher and tougher."

On our Facebook page, Robin Unruh wrote: "Everyone treats the police budget like it's sacred, let the pain be felt across the board! I'm not saying cut officers, I'm saying cut overtime, cut out the car detailing at Ricks in Sanatoga, keep the police cars a few more years before replacing, instead of paying overtime to stand as a traffic guard during parades, have them volunteer or... have someone else do it (such as the fire police). Have the officers fund raise for their fancy new lights and wheels. I think they do a great job at times, and they always came when I have called, but everyone needs to feel the economy, everyone else already does that is affected by the borough budget."

Mike from Phoenixville left this message on Brandt's voicemail: "Many Americans are spoiled and pay the lowest tax burden of any western Democracy. The sad reality is we do not get the same level of services for dollar paid. It's not so much we have high taxes as we're not getting our dollar's worth. School taxes are the biggest single item and yet millions are spent in non-education items. The biggest item is sports programs. We spend millions on a football program and yet we're graduating kids with fifth and sixth grade reading skills. We're throwing good money after bad. If parents want their children to play sports, they should pay the cost."

Gayle Morris Aquino wrote: "There was a comment in the Sound Off a year or two ago... someone said that they have lived in Bright Hope Community for 18 years! I think Section 8 is a wonderful idea *on a temporary basis*... not to set up permanent residence. People need to understand that the welfare system was set up to *assist* people in their... time of need... not to support them forever. There has to be accountability somewhere & people need to be responsible for becoming financially independent."

Andrew Kefer wrote: "Where to begin? Taxes are high because we are a built out community. There is very little available land for shopping centers, office parks and other tax generating places. These older towns have a higher concentration of poverty, a higher concentration of rental properties a higher concentration of tax exempt property (churches, non-profits, government buildings, etc.). Most of the housing is at the lower end of the assessment spectrum, which means that the town needs a higher millage rate to make up the difference. Old streets, old buildings and higher densities mean more money for maintenance and more money for police. I agree with all the posters regarding cracking down on slumlords."

The folks over at Code Blue were kind enough to not only direct readers of their blog to our Facebook site to leave comments, but submitted three pages of suggestions themselves.

Limited space prevents us from reproducing all their thoughts here, but you can find them posted on their blog at http://codebluepulse.blogspot.com/

Here are a few: "Pennsylvania must create a new formula for education funding to eliminate or severely reduce school property taxes;

Pennsylvania should allow tax lien certificate sales as another method for taxing jurisdictions to deal with non-payment of taxes;

Pottstown cannot sustain the tax burden created by the over-abundance of multi-family units and tax exempt parcels found within the Borough limits. Stricter ordinances need to be put into place;

Pottstown Borough needs more staffing in Codes to better manage, handle and enforce the multi-family properties and the problems 'slumlords' bring to our neighborhoods;

Early childhood education and parenting partnerships must be a top priority and should involve the community. Community involvement, in turn, brings about accountability and ownership and puts focus on the future;

In order for taxpayers to take ownership of their community, they must feel good about how their tax dollars are being spent. It is imperative that spending priorities are clearly communicated and given ample time for community input and "buy-in;"

While enticing new homeowners into the Borough via programs such as Pottstown's recent Homeowner Initiative program is important, it is equally critical to entice those who have been "sticking it out" in the Borough rather than being wooed away to "greener pastures." Rewarding those who have rehabilitated homes — the true pioneers of our revitalization effort — as well as those who have continued to pay the high taxes year after year, is equally, if not more, crucial.