In yesterday's County Council Work Session the Board of Education AND Rick Pollitt tried to be slick and get the Council to commit to signing a letter of intent to move forward with the Bennett Middle School project.
County Executive Rick Pollitt has been slick lately, going to the Press and telling them HE supports the collective bargaining for the WCSO and now the construction project for Bennett Middle School. Rick isn't representing the TAXPAYERS, he's simply acting like a wet pants liberal saying what a very select few WANT but IGNORING what the taxpayers can actually afford.
Although the Daily Times never offered a retraction towards their ridiculous and almost mentally challenged statement attempting to convince the public the state was paying 96% of the total project, one woman did come forward and challenged the Council as to WHY they didn't support the project when the state was going to pay 96% of the cost. Council President Joe Holloway was kind enough not to call out the Idiots at the Daily Times for being the party that created those numbers but he informed the few there that those numbers were grossly misrepresented and completely wrong. Today the Daily Times used more accurate numbers by saying, "Estimates from the BOE put the final price tag at $75.3 million -- $42.8 million of which is expected to be paid for at the county level." Its about time but they never cleared up their first mistake. I wonder where they got those new numbers from, hmmmmmm.
Deputy Director of Finance Andy Mackel stated this project would require a 7 cent increase in the property tax rate during the upcoming fiscal year, if the council were to agree to it.
Here's the deal Folks and here's what you're NOT being told anywhere else. First of all, the 7 cent increase is only for THIS UPCOMING YEAR!!!!!! Do NOT believe for a second that this will be enough to cover the project. Remember, we're dealing with politicians and a media that work together to SELL you on projects in which they only tell you a small portion of REALITY. Yeah, because they're stupid, you'll probably read from other Blogs that they support Bennett because they have no clue what's to come and simply kiss the a$$es of certain elected officials to get on their "play nice" side.
What you also don't know is the other school projects in the works. Bennett may be the one every one is talking about but there are SEVERAL other projects in the works right now that, (once again) the local media is keeping their mouth shut about.
You see Folks, Wicomico County simply cannot afford the project and we told you that to start with. Not being able to afford it means in the current situation, with the cash flow we currently have on hand, this project will not fly. SO, let's raise your taxes 7 cents JUST FOR ONE SCHOOL AND JUST FOR THIS YEAR! Let's not forget what increases we'll see in the next budget and the one after that and the one after that. It will not end until we stop these liberals from spending, spending, spending!
I seem to be burning a bridge with the Sheriff, County Executive, Ireton AND Fredericksen but the fact remains, I'm serving the public a whole lot better than any one of the names mentioned above. I'm doing what taxpayers should expect, I'm telling the TRUTH and being very open with what YOU should expect down the road. The fact that one school is calling for a 7 cent tax increase THIS YEAR alone and the fact that there are several more projects in line to come in front of the Council in the very near future, it will be one tax increase after the other shoved down your throats until we're taxes no different than Montgomery County, you know, the guys Rick Pollitt wants to chum up with and compete with whenever he goes to Annapolis.
The Bennett Middle School project needs to stop immediately and that is MY opinion. YOU have every right to challenge me here but if you do, do so with facts. Don't come on here just saying you want to see this project move forward, explain how and why because I'm NOT going to let up uneducated comments that simply support the BOE. Kind of like that UNEDUCATED IDIOT who stood in front of the Council stating the state was going to pay 96% of the cost of the project.
County Executive Rick Pollitt has been slick lately, going to the Press and telling them HE supports the collective bargaining for the WCSO and now the construction project for Bennett Middle School. Rick isn't representing the TAXPAYERS, he's simply acting like a wet pants liberal saying what a very select few WANT but IGNORING what the taxpayers can actually afford.
Although the Daily Times never offered a retraction towards their ridiculous and almost mentally challenged statement attempting to convince the public the state was paying 96% of the total project, one woman did come forward and challenged the Council as to WHY they didn't support the project when the state was going to pay 96% of the cost. Council President Joe Holloway was kind enough not to call out the Idiots at the Daily Times for being the party that created those numbers but he informed the few there that those numbers were grossly misrepresented and completely wrong. Today the Daily Times used more accurate numbers by saying, "Estimates from the BOE put the final price tag at $75.3 million -- $42.8 million of which is expected to be paid for at the county level." Its about time but they never cleared up their first mistake. I wonder where they got those new numbers from, hmmmmmm.
Deputy Director of Finance Andy Mackel stated this project would require a 7 cent increase in the property tax rate during the upcoming fiscal year, if the council were to agree to it.
Here's the deal Folks and here's what you're NOT being told anywhere else. First of all, the 7 cent increase is only for THIS UPCOMING YEAR!!!!!! Do NOT believe for a second that this will be enough to cover the project. Remember, we're dealing with politicians and a media that work together to SELL you on projects in which they only tell you a small portion of REALITY. Yeah, because they're stupid, you'll probably read from other Blogs that they support Bennett because they have no clue what's to come and simply kiss the a$$es of certain elected officials to get on their "play nice" side.
What you also don't know is the other school projects in the works. Bennett may be the one every one is talking about but there are SEVERAL other projects in the works right now that, (once again) the local media is keeping their mouth shut about.
You see Folks, Wicomico County simply cannot afford the project and we told you that to start with. Not being able to afford it means in the current situation, with the cash flow we currently have on hand, this project will not fly. SO, let's raise your taxes 7 cents JUST FOR ONE SCHOOL AND JUST FOR THIS YEAR! Let's not forget what increases we'll see in the next budget and the one after that and the one after that. It will not end until we stop these liberals from spending, spending, spending!
I seem to be burning a bridge with the Sheriff, County Executive, Ireton AND Fredericksen but the fact remains, I'm serving the public a whole lot better than any one of the names mentioned above. I'm doing what taxpayers should expect, I'm telling the TRUTH and being very open with what YOU should expect down the road. The fact that one school is calling for a 7 cent tax increase THIS YEAR alone and the fact that there are several more projects in line to come in front of the Council in the very near future, it will be one tax increase after the other shoved down your throats until we're taxes no different than Montgomery County, you know, the guys Rick Pollitt wants to chum up with and compete with whenever he goes to Annapolis.
The Bennett Middle School project needs to stop immediately and that is MY opinion. YOU have every right to challenge me here but if you do, do so with facts. Don't come on here just saying you want to see this project move forward, explain how and why because I'm NOT going to let up uneducated comments that simply support the BOE. Kind of like that UNEDUCATED IDIOT who stood in front of the Council stating the state was going to pay 96% of the cost of the project.
New Posts to fall below.
48 comments:
I watched the cry babies on Pac14, one babe said it was free money while another cried. I'm glad Joe Hollaway called them out about the 96 per cent. These people are just pawns for the BOE.
How can they implement any tax increase without repealing this little thing called the "revenue cap"?
They can't simply vote in a tax increase at random like they used to anymore. Thanks to all who voted in the revenue cap, to keep hungry politicians from doing money grabs like this one!
I don't get Pac 14 anymore being on satellite, but has anyone made a decision on the Bateman Division street intersection yet? Isn't this going to cost extra dollars to the BOE as well?
It is a complicated discussion. On the one hand, quality schools help to drive economic develpment because that is one of the things that business look for when chosing a location. That said, quality schools are more than bricks and mortar. Building a school that is unaffordable to your tax base in this economy could be the straw that breaks the camel's back in this case and could further damage the county economically , so that businesses wouldn't want to move here anyway. THere needs to be a well thought out plan to ge the county and the municipalities on track to retain the businesses we have and bring in new ones that will pay new wages. I am glad that Joe Holloway is the council president and hope that under his leadership we will start to prepare the county to be ready to take advantage of opportunities when the economy turns around. Again, it's not easy work, but I think that the county council is up to it.
I support a 7 cent tax increase. You get what you pay for. And what is so "slick" about stating you favor something that you have said all along that you favor? Just because you disagree with his position, it doesn't make him dishonest as you are trying to imply. Call all the names you want. It doesn't change the fact that there are MANY folks out here who are willing to pay the extra taxes to improve our schools - All of them, not just but including Bennett Middle. It is a rare elected official who can please all of his constituents.
Bottom line is the current BMS is in deplorable condition. It was never built to last as long as it has. The construction was slab and stick, 50 years max. You get what you pay for in life and in construction. This project is going to happen, sooner than some of you might think. Already some infastructure is in place, the land is purchased and there is no stopping it. The project will create jobs, provide a decent learning environment for our kids and our future. Those on the side of killing the project are simply short sighted, selfish and sadly misinformed.
Let those willing to pay, pay. Leave the rest of us out of it. I don't trust any of those "board (mispelled)members to spend any of my tax dollars...yet, always calling for more...Gettin' it yet?
First...I think ALL tax payers support quality schools and infrastructure...but at what cost? No one has even touched on the cost to Fruitland. The road improvements and upgrades that the new school will require aren't included in the estimated school cost. This cost add-on to the tax payers in Fruitland will certainly break their backs. These aren't normal times and calls for honest discussions not the same old double talk from tricky Rick and friends.
Businesses will move to Montgomery County partly due to the good school system--there is absolutely a connection! Nobody wants to move across the country for a job if it means their kids will go to a junky school. And I realize that a new building doesn't solve everything: you have to populate it with good teachers. But a new school is a big part of the picture. My kids are grown and out of school now, but I would be happy to pay the higher tax to make this a better community. I would much rather pay for that than for some of the other crazy ways our money is spent.
anonymous 8:32, I think you'd probably be amazed at just how large our audience is here on Salisbury News. I'm NOT trying to imply we get ALL of the taxpayers in Wicomico County coming to Salisbury News but let me at least say this. We get far more coming here from Wicomico County each and every day than there are people who actually voted.
Now, that being said, are you conveniently NOT looking at the Posts referencing this matter and more importantly the comments that come along with it?
You see, democrats tend to ignore what the MAJORITY are saying. Democrats seem to ignore the financial state the entire County is in. Instead, they're more interested in entitlements so as ALL Americans will be dependent on the free handouts at republicans expense.
This is what's wrong with this Country. Rather than smart stable business people in charge, we have lawyers and career politicians who's only interest is to go into government middle class and coming out in the top 1% wealthy in the country, go figure.
Young people today don't know how to build a savings account. They don't know how to pay cash and only buy what they can actually pay for. Instead tey depend on loans from the government to pay for their education. They depend on credit to pay for their groceries, mortgages and the whole nine yards.
Come on now, be honest, how many of you have your mortgage completely paid off? How many of you don't have car payments? Sure, you can point a finger at me and say I'm one of the 1% because I don't have payments. However, I haven't had payments for a LOT of years because I saw this coming. I may have made a lot of money but let me assure you, I saved my a$$ off and paid everything off. I didn't charge on credit cards and don't come back here saying it's impossible. It's not impossible, it's just TOUGH and hard to do.
So who's out there now TEACHING our children this is the RIGHT way to handle your finances?????? NO ONE, that's who! Not even the liberal parents. Today we have liberal teachers discussing entitlements, free lunches, freee after care. It will take a hard a$$ leader to push the old American way. Farmers who bury their cash and then pay cash for their vehicle when the time is right.
Today its all about borrowing and that's a load of crap. Want to challenge me, LOOK AT THE TOWN OF DELMAR!!!!! They paid CASH for their new City Hall. It can and should be done. Look at the Salisbury Zoo. They're raising the funds to pay for millions of dollars for improvements.
If there are so many of YOU out there that believe this is the right thing to do and you have so many supporters, FUNDRAISE for the balance and see where it gets you. DON'T shove it down our throats making it IMPOSSIBLE to ever be able to afford to pay CASH for our next vehicle!!!!!
Consider yourself now truly EDUCATED.
anonymous 8:44, BS!
You're getting all upset over a 7 cent tax increase? If that's all it is, even if it goes up next year, bring it on! It's money well spent! Want proof that we need better education in the area? Look at the spelling and grammar in most of the comments on this site!
anonymous 8:48, let's not kid ourselves. Do you know who's moving here, CRIMINALS, thats who.
ECI is bringing in long term criminals who's families move here to be closer to their spouse. When they get out they relocate to Wicomico County and most do not go back to where they came from.
The wet pants liberals don't want to discuss this FACT. They don't want the numbers exposed as we have been trying, as well as ALL Law Enforcement leaders like Mike Lewis and Barbara Duncan have been attempting to get. They are stonewalled on those numbers and YOU never get educated on just how serious a problem ECI is to the shore.
As crime continues to rise and Gangs take over the streets, liverals want the hard working taxpayers to foot the bill for the future generations and guess what their backgrouds will ultimately be?
Yeah, those speaking out in favor of this come from a whole different UPBRINGING. They do NOT look into numbers and or the real future. It is not an investment into education. It is a way to take, take, take until you are flat broke. I have been saying this for YEARS.
Stop spending until things calm down. PROVE to the taxpayers you're bringing in business to help afford these new schools. DON'T sit there and tell me it will help bring businesses to the Shore. It's a load of CRAP. The MOST important thing people look at is CRIME. NOT schools!
The County cannot afford a new school or LEOPS for the Sheriff's department Sorry. All County employees should be in the same retirement plan.
anonymous 8:52, NICE TRY! However, that's a 7 cent increase in THIS BUDGET. There's NO question there will be a LOT more increases over the next few years. Your County Executive AND the MSM are NOT telling you the real TRUTH.
I would be more inclined to support the project and tax increase if I felt the kids were actually getting a proper education.
We removed our child from the instituions of lower learning after getting fed up with gestapo like tactics from the sdministrations and staff of several schools.
As it stands, you can build the biggest,shiniest, most technologically advanced builing there is, but in the end it is like putting lipstick on a pig.
It is time for the taxpayers to demand education tax portability in the form of vouchers to enable us to send our kids to some of the finer private schools in the area.
Our child is getting a great education at The Salisbury School, albeit very difficult financially.
Difficult, but the best investment we ever have made!!!
Raising property taxes after the bubble burst and my home value continues to decline? Sounds just like the All American plan, submerge further into debt, kick the taxpayers to the curb and bury them in the excess debt.
I'm single yet I pay a higher percentage because I don't get exemptions for children.
Not that I don't think I shouldn't help with education, that benefits everyone, however the exemption for children should be eliminated and people who do have children pay the same percentage in tax as I do with no children.(Flat tax)
The way our government is spending money it's like they are depending on the Mayan Calender and apocalypse coming 12/21/2012 and we don't need to worry about spending. WRONG!
Kick that can down someone elses road.
It seems you have shut them up Joe. Thanks for helping us better understand what is really going on. One thing is certain, you can't trust the Daily Disappointment.
Joe,
I have the same beliefs as yourself , most of the time.
It scares me to see the what the liberals have done to this country. Something is wrong with the brains of these people , not to realize that tax money comes from us.
Glenn Beck has been preaching this for years , people have given up on him. I have not , it has gone way too far , past the point of no return.
From the comments and post that I've seen , I don't think this is a needed item , it may be a wanted item.
We cannot keep spending like a bunch of drunken sailors.
You have to watch out for Not-So-Slick Rick. He is only out for himself. The good people of Delmar read through his BS at their Town Hall meeting, so why can't more sheeple see through it? The point is that Wicomico County does not need another Taj Mahal for a school. Why not spend the money to improve several schools? I can not and will not support this raise to benefit only 1 school! DO NOT be blind to Pollitt's tricks.
Joe-your comments at 8:49 are right on target. You have said everything I wanted to and other parents I know. Keep up the good work by keeping us informed. By the way...this is one parent that is teaching my child the correct way to handle his money...just the way you explained it.
I am a Republican but also a retired teacher. I was active with the group who wanted to stop the revenue cap. I went to the meetings and marched from the library (where the meetings were held) down to the courthouse in protest. I know the reason behind it: the Council then implemented a huge tax increase. I was also able to see into the future what would transpire. The future is now, and we are seeing the effects of the cap.
I want to live in a progressive county. I want the schools to be as good as we can get--both the buildings and the staff. BMS is an embarrassment. How are we going to attract businesses when we have schools like BMS? The executives of any companies thinking to relocate here will take one look at that school and run.
We have GOT to repeal the revenue cap and put something else in place that will allow for us to build good schools with phased-in tax increases rather than a huge one. I am retired but have a couple of grandchildren enrolled in County schools. I am willing to pay my fair share to provide the best education we can. I'm only addressing education here, but we also want the best roads, public safety, and all the other things that will make us proud of our county.
two points that are lost in this whole discussion. the county wants $30 million in soft cost for this project. that is for the designers, administrative costs etc. that number is ridiculous. the second point is that it is way over designed ie expensive. dont believe that construction costs are going up. the industry is starving. if this process was opened up instead of locked into whiting turner you might see a huge difference in cost. $78 million for a middle school is over the top
Response to 8:48
Businesses will not move to Montgomery County. I have worked in Montgomery County and when they see all of the traffic and associated impact fees - they will gladly stay put in Wicomico.
Also - your rational is flawed as if money were the issue then the Montgomery residents would be exiting to Washington, DC as they have the highest per pupil cost in the entire nation.
One look at Washington's schools and you quickly see that Wicomico's schools are palaces. How to I know so much - because I've been in Washington's school system. And what a deplorable mess.
People have always taken out loans for school as well as for houses. The problem is not people taking the loans, but the fact that when it is time to repay them there are no jobs to be had to earn the money. I am a recent college graduate and I honestly don't agree with comments made earlier by Joe. I do agree that this tax increase as well as a new luxurious MIDDLE SCHOOL are not needed, especially since the town can barely support itself now. What I do not agree with is the belief that us "younger" citizens are taking without thinking about the responsiblities of paying back the money. It is because of the economy that we are unable to make the payments, not because we are not frugal in how we spend. It is ridiculous that for generations now the government and the US people have been destroying the economy and now it is our mess to clean up. But when we try to educate and better our selves and struggle to pay back loans because there are no jobs, now all of a sudden its "those dang kids fault." I know I fully intend to pay back every cent I owe, but to simply say "Oh this generation doesn't know how to save" is a statement that confuses me. How are we supposed to know how to save when those who have been in their jobs and positions for decades now struggle to save? When those who looked forward to retirement at 50 now have to wait until they are 70? It is ridiculous to put the blame on us when the economy has been heading south for DECADES. I guess we should all turn down a chance for a college education and just struggle for the rest of our lives to scrape by because those before us have screwed it up royally. It is time for the previous generations to own up to the fact they have destroyed the economy and now we bare the brunt of it. It is nice that you were able to previously make and save money, I was not that lucky since I was probably around the end of my Middle School career when the economy took a turn for the worst. It gets old to hear people complain about how "irresponsible" my generation is when it comes to money because it has been every previous generations irresponsibilities that have caused this problem.
Joe, until you are a parent, you aren't really able to speak from that perspective. I am not a wetpants liberal(whatever that is), I don't owe anything other than my mortgage, I have never taken a handout for anything, I have put my kids thru college, and I don't feel entitled to anything. That said, I am willing to pay for better schools because I believe it is the right thing to do. That doesn't make me stupid or evil or liberal or whatever else you want to call it. My kids (all married with kids of their own) have larger savings accounts than I did at their age. I think I have taught them just fine and they support financing the school construction as well.
Rick Pollitt helped get ECI built in Princess Anne when most of the locals fought against it. Rick learned his sneaky tricks in Somerset County. Ironic isn't it that ECI has helped criminalize Wicomico County as well. Thanks Rick!!
anonymous 10:54, I didn't say all and I think the majority of people completely understand my point. You can pick at what I'm saying, (which you should) BUT, remember this is about EVERYONE as taxpayers and NOT a select few. If you haven't read all my comments on both Posts about this today than you're not going to understand my point. The democrats want bigger and better schools. Notice how ALL college loans are now funded through the government and NOT privately any more. This is MASSIVE income. It's a money game all the way around, always has been. Boards of Education DO NOT LOSE MONEY, EVER! Yet in business, we do and or can.
At this point and time the County cannot afford this. Please wait until some time around noon and we'll have up yet another Post explaining the financial health of Wicomico County and the State. There's a whole LOT more YOU have NOT been made aware of and when you do you might think twice about what you're saying here.
By the way, you should be VERY proud of yourself.
All student loans are not funded by the government--trust me, I am paying some.
As a proud liberal whose pants are definitely dry, I will gladly join up to pay 7 cents more on my property taxes to make a school we can all be proud of. I have worked hard all my life, been working since I was 15, was lucky enough to go to some great schools, and I understand how important it is to provide kids with a great place to go to school. It is a small downpayment on our future--you keep 10 kids a year out of jail because they were inspired to move on with their education, and very quickly this will pay for itself.
To 10:54
Wicomico's Superintendent of Schools - Frederickson - has all of the tools at his disposal to embark upon a different path.
Also - as you know - Wicomico does not have an elected school board - thus we do not have an adequate cross section of public representation.
Frederickson should choose a different pathway until our State, Local, & Federal economy improves. Bottomline - the economy has been a 'trainwreck' for the past 4 years. Wicomico has done pretty good so far in trying to weather this storm.
If the State of Maryland would allow Wicomico County to competitivly bid the Bennett Middle School, the project would cost the taxpays 8 to 12 MILLION LESS. If the tax payers would only pay attention as to the costs the Federal and State mandates put on infra-structure projects they would get very sick
God, I'm glad I moved to Delaware 17 years ago and got OUT of Wicomico County!
Wicomico's Superintendent of Schools - Frederickson - has all of the tools at his disposal to embark upon a different path. they are ripping us!
ANONYMOUS 10:54, I'll add, I am raising our Grandson, 11 years old. He's in the system. When he attended Delmar Elementary I heard parents complaining about that school and I thought, you're kidding me, right?
Like Beezer, I went to school in PG County and let me assure you, those schools were far more run down than these schools here.
Mind you, Delmar needs to be expanded to get rid of the portables, according to many. However, in PG County, every school had them and from everything I have seen from reunioins, we ALL did well in life. I should add, my graduating class had more than 1,200 students in it. So I don't want to hear about class sized either.
Your lecture is bogus.
Anon 11:51 - People that think like you are part of the problem!
Sure, 7 CENTS doesn't seem like that much.
However, you're forgetting something HUGE! Where's all the tax money you're ALREADY paying?
Where's the programs, where's the schools that certain taxes and tax increases were supposed to be funding ALREADY?
Wake up! Don't justify yet ANOTHER tax increase until they get the house in order!
Now wonder this country has gone to hell-in-a-handbasket!
Simple minded people!
Joe, you say your grandson is in the system? I thought you lived in Delaware. In which state are you in the "system?" If Delaware, is it very different from MD? Just wondering.
It amazes me as I read these posts regarding the tax rate increase.Check your facts folks....it's permitted under the revenue cap that most of you love to crow about. The rate decreased for 8 straight years , as dictated by the cap. Now for the past two years it should have gone up as assessments fell.Remember it's a REVENUE cap not a TAX cap.
Delmar Elementary serves both Maryland and delaware residents.
How can a man or woman own a house, if he/she has to pay a corporation for the 'right' to live in it every year and that corporation keeps raising the 'ownership fee'. The answer is you can't. If you did own your home then you would not have to pay a corporation of corrupt people for the right to live in it. How many people does the corporation known as 'wicomico county' kick out of their houses every year?
According to the US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner - he is prepared to release QE3 to further help strengthen our economy.
I have no idea where he is getting all of the money to fund this stuff.
If BMS was in the shape the tax and spend liberals state then there should be some people arrested for allowing our kids to go there! They are grossly overstating the facts aka LYING!!!
If some of the complainers realized what bad schools are really like they would not be complaining.
Let them visit some of the inner city schools of Baltimore and Washington. Now they are some really BAD schools.
Joe:
I agree that 7 cent tax increase sounds huge but as many stated on here, it is permissible to do so. Maybe we should not do it all but if we don't do some, at some point, we are going to have to raise taxes to support services and we may get a council that has the ability to raise it 46 cents at one time. I would prefer getting hit slowly instead all at once again.
Another point, many of the schools that need renovated were all built around the same time. Yes, the BOE had done upgrades throughout the years but the "bones" are falling apart...look at Bennett Middle, Wi Middle, Pittsville, etc. At some point, we need to support renovations or upgrades. I know we have state money available for new construction but is it available for multiple renovations instead of using it all for one project.
Finally, good schools attract businesses. The REAL question that needs to be raised to the Council is "what are THEY doing to bring in businesses into our county?" I say nothing...they are pushing businesses away. They need to be accountable to the current residents for this matter. Until they do that, I will not support their decisions.
Response to 7:40 Posting
I do not believe we will ever see US businesses return in any substantial numbers. Many of the big name brand companies - (Airpax Industries, Dresser, Globe Hoist, Crown Cork & Seal, etc) - the US business environment and especially Maryland's regulatory environment is not conducive to doing business here - period. The corporate income tax rate in America is about 22% and in most all other developed nations it is substantially less. The federally imposed wage rates - (Davis - Bacon) - and union environment is also a major deterent.
Bottom line - I'm afraid that we have already witnessed the best of America and the trendline looks to be a further deteriorating business climate.
Joe, you are on a ROLL!
I'd spend 7 cents to get school upgrades too BUT! Bennett Middle School isn't the only need. The next year, they'll tell me they need another 7 cents increase because they have another "crisis." The another 7 cents the next year.
People, these projects don't get paid off in one year! It's cumulative!
My family is facing the same kinds of decisions the county is. It would be a better value for us to get a new car than repair the old one BUT! we also need house repairs, our furnace maintained and our washer just died.
If we got a new car, or even a new used car, we will have NOTHING with which to take care of the furnace, the house repairs or the washer. We have nobody we can raise taxes on to pay for our needs.
We will use the laundromat, but make changes in our wash routines, too. We will fix what needs fixing on the car and we have named the most critical house repair. A lot will be put off, but at least our furnace will run and repair needs won't get worse.
They are saying, all 7 cents will go to this one school. What about the rest of the County's needs?
If it was me, I'd tear down BMS and put everyone in a portable until I got my house in order. The temps will be good for the kids in those things and they can save the maintenance costs and apply to a new school eventually.
You have to make choices, people!
Education is the key to the future. We're doing an injustice to the current students at BMS.
It's obvious people do not want to pay more money for anything, especially if you no longer have children in the school system. However, at one time in life someone else had to pay a tax increase to build a school for some of us.
@ 10:29
You claim to be a republican but then go on to use the words "progressive,", "fair share," & "phased in tax increases." Nice try.
Bennett Middle looks like garbage. It needs replaced. that being said, not at the cost they are estimating. I find it hard to believe that it would cost 75 million dollars to replace that facility with a suitable structure. People think their kids are entitled to go to a country club to learn. All they need is 4 walls and a safe environment to learn in. You want bigtime frills, pay to send them to private school. Can't pay to do that, don't bitch about what is free.
BTW, all you people saying its pay 7 cents are incorrect. You will not pay 7 cents (assuming you own property). You will pay 7 cents per thousand you house is assessed at. Still not a lot of money but a far cry from 7 cents (depending on how much your house is worth).
Ummm ... 9:09, that's 7 cents per hundred of assessed value, not per thousand.
That's 10 times the amount you are thinking about.
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