We love to say “told you so” and that’s what we did in this recent post - http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2011/12/letter-to-editor-12-25-11.html
The action predicted in that post became official in Mr. Pollitt’s latest “state of the county” spiel yesterday morning. Rick’s strategy won’t involve a direct attack – his not so subtle suggestions during the past 5 years have shown such an approach to be folly. So, he is now using an indirect approach. He announced that he will soon ask our local expert on all things economic, “Doctor” Memo Diriker, to supervise a study of the effects of the cap on property tax revenue that was imposed on County government by the initiative of its citizens. Rick wants the study to be done by the Beacon group at Salisbury University, which Dr. Diriker heads. You can be sure that the report will be highly critical of the cap, and Rick knows that he can count on it as fodder in his campaign to kill or emasculate the cap.
In his spiel, Mr. Pollitt made vague promises about reducing the tax burden on business by changing the County’s tax structure, but failed to point out that if his plan to reduce business taxes were passed by the Council, the County’s property tax rate would need to be increased to provide the lost revenue unless new income taxes or sales/excise taxes are imposed on County residents.
As stated in the post mentioned above, “you’ve been warned.” Look for the Beacon group to recommend whatever Rick requests. Based on his speech, the net result could be an even greater tax increase than the nearly 10% property tax rate increase that he wants the Council to support and pass in the coming fiscal year to allow the County to borrow its portion ($42 Million) of the cost to build the new Bennett Middle School. That additional tax revenue would be needed and used to pay the debt service on the bonds.
The action predicted in that post became official in Mr. Pollitt’s latest “state of the county” spiel yesterday morning. Rick’s strategy won’t involve a direct attack – his not so subtle suggestions during the past 5 years have shown such an approach to be folly. So, he is now using an indirect approach. He announced that he will soon ask our local expert on all things economic, “Doctor” Memo Diriker, to supervise a study of the effects of the cap on property tax revenue that was imposed on County government by the initiative of its citizens. Rick wants the study to be done by the Beacon group at Salisbury University, which Dr. Diriker heads. You can be sure that the report will be highly critical of the cap, and Rick knows that he can count on it as fodder in his campaign to kill or emasculate the cap.
In his spiel, Mr. Pollitt made vague promises about reducing the tax burden on business by changing the County’s tax structure, but failed to point out that if his plan to reduce business taxes were passed by the Council, the County’s property tax rate would need to be increased to provide the lost revenue unless new income taxes or sales/excise taxes are imposed on County residents.
As stated in the post mentioned above, “you’ve been warned.” Look for the Beacon group to recommend whatever Rick requests. Based on his speech, the net result could be an even greater tax increase than the nearly 10% property tax rate increase that he wants the Council to support and pass in the coming fiscal year to allow the County to borrow its portion ($42 Million) of the cost to build the new Bennett Middle School. That additional tax revenue would be needed and used to pay the debt service on the bonds.
9 comments:
the next election can't come soon enough. rick just doesn't seem to get it. he's addicted to spending money he doesn't have.
well i'm addicted to not letting him have anymore of my money for his willy nilly spending.
Learn to Budget rick. the sooner the better for all of us. keep a watch on this guy.
If he wants to take the gloves off and go knuckle to knuckle like a man bring it on! I'll vote for Mike Freakin' Dunn before I ever vote for that career politician again, I almost didn't vote for him the first time for that very reason!
I've sucked up and voted for him twice, shame on me!
Well you know some voters are just as determined to keep the cap in place as he is to get rid of it and guess what, the voting public out here doesn't want to keep spending on his favorite projects no matter what Memo Diriker says.
Could someone post exactly what laws require us to give this corporation money every year for the right to live in our own homes? Seems suspicious to me. If a person who rents with 5 kids doesn't have to pay, why do home owners with no children have to pay. Very suspicious.
John, Bob, Joe...enough is enough..
No new school...no raise in taxes..take what money we have and maintain what we have, the roads, snow removal, etc the necessary things. We the tax payers are already taxed to death.
We are counting on you to not be swayed by slick rick.
Back off if he knows what's good. When is his re-election bib.
He is right the Revenue tax cap needs to go, it did it's job then, but now it is crippling the county. The public thought they were voting for a tax cap not a revenue tax cap. Big difference. Get rid of the revenue cap and make it a tax cap. Wicomico is in the tax rate is was in the 60's. Guys it is not the 60's, we have grown since then. The county's loss is $2,000,000 a year from this Revenue cap. It has to change.
Don't believe me, research it, get the facts for yourself. Don't just assume. Ask any financial adviser.
For all of you calling for no new taxes, supporting the tax cap and shooting down all of this (and like you, I want no new taxes either), take a look around you....business closings everywhere....and now a readability study at Shorebird Stadium...to be sure Wicomico County is crumbling....infrastructure is dropping off, the local schools are completely inadequate, and the political leadership is running around in circles telling half truths about everything...now, money does not fix all problems, but this tax cap began the beginning of the end for this county. VOICE did a real number on the taxpayers (actually, it was quite a masterful PR move), and now we are all paying for the greedy and short sidedness of it. Taxes have to raise to just break even...
6:30, while I normally do NOT allow stupid names to get published, I decided to let this comment up only because of the last few words.
PROVE IT! Prove to the public it has to be done just to break even. You see, you wet pants liberals hiding behind ficticious names want to LIE and mislead people with your statements, so let's challenge you and see if your man enough to come back with a real answer.
You see, the way I see it is, Pollitt and so many other democrats should have CUT BACK 5 years ago and refused to do so. Instead, he ran around almost in anger saying, you want to lose services? yes Rick, if that's what it takes, YES. Make the community cut grass in a field if they want to play softball or play in a park. Not forever, just for now. Cut back on your staff, because there's no money.
However, 6:30, do tell every one just how you know taxes have to rise just to "break even". This should get real interesting.
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