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I agree with Robert Leffler's letter ("Tax Hikes ‘broke our backs'" Nov. 12) that Robin Ficker is to be commended for challenging the County Council's ability to raid homeowners' piggybanks through excessive property tax increases.

Unfortunately, the message county voters sent to our elected leaders will all too likely fall on deaf ears. As a case-in-point: Running alongside Mr. Leffler's letter, Councilman Philip Andrews authored a column lambasting ambulance fees, a measure that fellow Democrat and County Executive Isiah Leggett proposed to help close the budget gap. While I have not studied this issue, Councilmember Andrews (at least in his column) does not offer any alternatives.

The County Council's response to the current budget crisis can be described as lethargic at best. More importantly, it is the council's leadership that got us into this mess in the first place. While much attention has been paid to the need to renegotiate the large pay raises the council approved with the teacher unions, where is the outrage over the abuses of the police disability retirement program? It appears the council is too beholden to the various county labor unions, and the fox has been guarding the hen house.

County residents get too little for our tax dollars. Fairfax County and even the District of Columbia appear to be better run. Like Montgomery County, these localities strongly vote Democratic. But unlike Montgomery County, these localities also elect fiscal conservatives and/or moderate Democrats. I believe the county would be well-served by following their lead and electing a more balanced council.

James Ryan, Wheaton