We’ve lived in Renton for the past 35-plus years and I always voted to increase property taxes to support schools. But regrettably I just can’t do it this time. It’s not that I believe in education any less than I did 30 years ago, but I’m 72 now and would like to retire some day. Our retirement funds have taken a hit, which makes housing affordability even more important. The 2009 property taxes on our compact, two-bedroom condominium in the Renton Highlands were more than $2,000.

My husband (who is already retired) and I want to stay in our home after I retire. We will have too much income to qualify for a senior tax break but not enough to continue voting for tax increases, no matter how worthy the cause they support. It wouldn’t surprise me to find that a significant percentage of older Renton residents are in a similar position.

Elizabeth Rogers, Renton