I found a flier on my front door promoting the election of Linda Johnson for Mayor. It states that Mrs. Johnson leads the effort to reduce the burden of the real estate tax rate. It includes a red arrow pointing down that indicates a 16-percent reduction in the tax rate during her eight years on City Council.

She is probably technically correct on this point. But I find it somewhat misleading, because from June 2001 to June 2008, my real estate taxes have gone up 76 percent because of higher assessments—and I do not live on waterfront property.

Voters had better look back at their check stubs.