Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Wicomico County Council Gives Away YOUR Money ...

... Why Not?  It's Not Like It's THEIR Money!

On Tuesday the left wing of the Wicomico County Council decided to give away more of the taxpayers' money by eliminating the amusements tax for the Crown Sports Center.  The same members of the county council (John Cannon, Bill McCain, Dave MacLeod and Sheree Sample-Hughes) who have REFUSED to entertain any meaningful discussion of tax relief for ordinary citizens were quick to provide a handout to a specific local business.

To be fair, I should state that I'm in favor of eliminating the tax - but for everyone.  While I supported a measure to lower the rate to 4.5%, (which failed by a 4-3 vote), I prefer eliminating the tax.  I just want to eliminate it for everyone.  The difference is that I'm not a hypocrite about it.  During the debate over the current year's budget, McCain stated that:
"(it is) ... absurd to cut ANY county revenue source."
This was a snide reference to Councilman Joe Holloway's attempt to reduce the burden of the county's income (or "piggyback") tax on working Wicomico citizens.  At the time, I chastised McCain by reminding him that tax dollars are NOT "county revenue" but the TAXPAYERS' MONEY.  While McCain is quick to vote for almost any bit of government spending, particularly if the money is going to his wife and her pals at the Board of Education, McCain simply won't back any honest attempt to provide a lower, and better, and fairer tax structure for the people who elected him.

Read More ...

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

G.A. - I read your entire post. My kids play soccer at the Crown and I coach all their teams. I drive a Nissan Sentra and drink coffee in the morning - cream and sugar. Hey G. A. - where can I pick up my Mercedes and latte?

Anonymous said...

Yet these same people justified maintaining a liquor monopoly because "we need the revenue"....interesting juxtaposition of logic don't you think???

Anonymous said...

As far as voting on raises or bonus' in any county department, if a decsion is made in benefit of a relative working for the county, said council person should abstain from the vote all together. Conflict of interest. I think I'm starting to smell something and the dog didn't fart! I too am for the elimination of a tax that does nothing but take away from keeping kids off the streets in a clean safe environment.

Anonymous said...

Joe:
Could the McCaine connection be the reason the Bd. of Ed. BLOCKED your web site, no other blogger just yours I think. Maybe the JMB thing was a bit much, or somebody feeling the heat from that.

Anonymous said...

Why should the scoccer moms and kids be given a break on taxes? Im not ,i work every day they take just about everything i make.
And what i make in not much and that goes to fund some millionaires wallet.
How do i become tax exempt? Please let me know.

joe albero said...

I'm not sure but let me say this. When everyone was locked down, guess who they called first and guess who had the answers. No other news source had the info and they were VERY pleased that I had answers. Makes you wonder how so many teachers could have my cell number on their phones, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

You get high off this shit huh.

Anonymous said...

G.A. said.....
"The only person who whines about the revenue cap more than County Executive Rick Pollitt is Councilman John Cannon, the newest Democrat on couuncil."

--------------------

Bob Cannon, Sr.(D)
Bob Cannon, Jr.(D)
John Cannon, (R)INO

And you are surprised why?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
G.A. - I read your entire post. My kids play soccer at the Crown and I coach all their teams. I drive a Nissan Sentra and drink coffee in the morning - cream and sugar. Hey G. A. - where can I pick up my Mercedes and latte?

3:24 PM

Anon 3:24,

My kids play soccer there and I call all there teams as well. I drive a Ford pickup and I park next to those Mercedes, SUV's and Chevy Subdivisions also. Someone is making some money and it sure isn't me or the parents of my team.

Anonymous said...

No one says it better G.A. I for one am glad the stupid tax is removed. Hopefully the "youth" fees will reflect that.

Anonymous said...

you think the county council can also intervene on all our behalf with the State of Md, to forgoe any penalties & interests on anything we may owe?

Anonymous said...

This from the same John Cannon who voted "no" on giving county employees Holiday time off Dec. 26. This from the same "Cannon family" who had made money by turning Salisbury in to one big low income rental. We are surprised, HOW.

Anonymous said...

4:01
Yes, there is the McCain connection to the Bd. and doesn't Sheree Sample-Hughes' husband Desmond work in transportation for the Bd. also? Bill and Sheree should not do any voting for WCBOE raises, for lowering health insurance costs for Bd. employees, for the 10% raises for those who might retire, for improved retirement benefits, etc. They are voting to put money in or take less money out of their family's wealth. Why do they get away with that?

Anonymous said...

McCain is using his "profession" to try and convince the public they won't be stealing from the landowners by down zoning also. Every appraiser in MD knows better except McCain. So tell me, who is he trying to satisfy this time, MDP??? There is something ethically wrong with an elected official attempting to deceive those who elected him

Anonymous said...

Folks we aint' seen nothing yet. It is going to be an interesting budget year for all department. Where are we going to get the revenue? No where. What are we going to cut? To be answered come spring.

Anonymous said...

Hey G.A. I am a friend of the McCain's. They are great people. They have never done anything for me.

Anonymous said...

The taxes were not dropped.Just the penalties and intrest incurred.As I read the blog.

What has the "Crown" given in return for this "favor".Free membership for the county tax agency's children? How about the county taking control just like the Feds have some banks? If they can be excused from late charges then all should be.

Am I in Illinois? Will there be a investigation in why favoritism has been shown here.Will there be a position opening up soon? What prompted this to take place ?

You can't just throw money away with out concessions. What are they to be? Maybe Joe Knows? How bout it Joe? Why was this given to the "Crown"? We want to know.

joe albero said...

I'll say this ONE LAST TIME for everyone to understand.

The amusement tax the Council gave relief on was amusement tax on team sports for kids under 18 years old.

I firmly do NOT believe these children should be taxed and quite frankly, since so many of you IDIOTS won't listen and or understand where the relief is based, I couldn't care less what you think then.

Too many people like the Marshall's Martial Arts Idiot just doesn't get it either.

The Council AND County Executive agreed by a majority that CHILDREN under 18 years old on a TEAM should NOT be taxed amusement tax.

If you can't understand this, then shut up and go away, please.

Anonymous said...

Joe:

Let's put it plainly -- it's really just some more Wicomico Welfare for the Wealthy!

Cannon, McCain, Macleod and Hughes have got to go in the next election, which can't come too soon.