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Sunday, July 02, 2017

Salisbury Mayor's Magical Math: Common Core Anyone?

To read entire Letter go to end of the article or click on image go to third picture.

By Thornton Crowe
The other week I got an interesting email where our illustrious boy wonder Mayor Jake Day was touting that property values have gone up an astounding  $133K on average per home since 2016. I found this number to be quite extraordinary given the City is in a state of such disarray and so quick to unload it's $2M+ valued commercial properties for a nice $5K (see Feldman building sale) to friends. Fascinated by this idea, I did a little digging of my own, looking up property values around town (within the city limits). 

From what I found on the SDAT site, property valuations were actually substantially lower than original purchase prices and holding steady (or lower) for tax assessments for most of the properties -- even those bought within the last year.

Click to Enlarge
For example, a home in the Camden district (around SU) was purchased in 2005 for $235K but still only assessed at $156K on its best mid-year tax assessment.

Remembered when Day claimed in his recent illegal budget, a tax cut for owner-occupied homes, which angered his donor, I meant landlord class in Salisbury? If he's giving you a tax break but your the home valuation rises, don't you have to pay more taxes not less? (Don't forget many fees like water, sewage and garbage pick-up are going up, too.)

In essence, the whole tax-reduction/home values rising rubbish proves to be nothing more than a big ruse and as you can see from the various articles on image to the right, the real estate community is not in agreement with Day's rising home pricing statements.

Ah, as if it couldn't get much worse... the fees go upward, too!

A lot of older folks are complaining about how ambulance service fees have gone through the roof. One number floating is $495.00 for the ambulance (which almost always comes with a fire engine and crew, too) to show up at your home - even if you press your "Help I've fallen and I can't get up" button by accident. A problem for seniors whose insurance companies generally will not cover this expense in false alarm events.

Think about it, $500.00 for a service that used to be covered in full by taxes? For-profit emergency services, who would've thunk it? Incidentally, it makes it easy to attach liens to older folks' property when they don't pay their emergency service bills, too!

Since when did this become the new way to fleece older citizens who use this service more frequently than any other demographic? Simply brilliant considering most elderly in our community are on fixed incomes and the demo shows we are now in a quasi-retirement area!

Demspeak: Ain't life grand?

It never ceases to amaze how Day can actually say these things with a straight face, acting like he's done some grand service for you. He looks you square in the eye and tells you he's cutting your taxes while gleaming with excitement about home values going up, thus, knowing you won't see any difference in your tax bill other than perhaps an increase!

If this isn't a professional politician with a gift for Libspeak, what is? Just how stupid does Jake Day think you is? (For all you grammar authoritarians, I meant that grammatical mistake for emphasis.)

I'm just a man asking questions - and this week I didn't much care for the answers I found...

UPDATE: Below I have put the full image of Day's Message here because I noticed many of you were attempting to read it all.
Click to Enlarge



53 comments:

Anonymous said...

IMHO - Jake Day is nothing more than an SBY con artist - just like many of our illustrious politicians. Anyone worth their salt knows full well that he has fabricated the information. Virtually all of the major businesses (particularly manufacturers) have already exited our area over the span of the past 15 years. Now - their are only relics left of a by-gone era when Salisbury/Wicomico had at least some forms of manufacturing - (ie - Dresser, Crown, Campbell's Soup, Maxum, Standard Register, Chris-Craft, Shawnee, Globe, Grumman, and many many more).

He's attempting to re-write history by cooking the books. Fortunately - we have SBYnews to authenticate the economic information.

JoeAlbero said...

It's no wonder so many Liberals are so upset with President Trump, a straight shooter with no BS behind his statements.

You see, we now live in a different world and it's getting worse by the day. No accountability. Feel good sound bites, (you can swim in the river in 10 years).

Your property value plummets, yet your local taxes go up. Services are no longer a part of the city or municipal advantages through your massive taxes.

Governor O'Malley signed legislation where you must have 20 acres per residential lot, UNLESS you are on city/municipal services. Then you can get con artists like the Boy Mayor to sell off YOUR property Downtown and con the state into believing you are a bicycle friendly city and you only have to have one parking space for every 4 residents.

Then the state wants to tax/fee you on a septic system and guess what, ALL of this is YOUR fault. WHY, because YOU refuse to register to vote and or you are simply too damn lazy to go out and vote.

Mind you, I'm NOT saying you have the greatest candidates out there. Heck, if I hadn't run for Mayor, Ireton would have run unopposed, just like the Boy Mayor Day.

So here we sit day in and day out spending what feels like 24 hours a day trying to educate you people on what's truly going on out there and no one shows up to a Council Meeting, a school board meeting and so forth.

Don't you people think it's time you REVOLT and fight back with your votes? Don't you think you should encourage good people to run for Office.

Yeah, people like Joe Albero, President Trump and Thornton are the Anti Christ.

Anonymous said...

At the former Curley's garage (now Tapatia) they had photos of Salisbury when it had a port at or near the location of the Wicomico Health Dept building. The photos showed freighted schooners, passenger steamboats, fishing vessels.

Bottom line - at the turn of the century - the photos showed Salisbury to look like a THRIVING METROPOLIS unlike the photos of today. From the visual/factual evidence one could conclude that Salisbury/Wicomico has gone ass-backwards in the economic development arena. If anyone is interested I might try and furnish some of the turn of the century photos that proves Salisbury was once a robust and thriving economy.

JoeAlbero said...

I should've ended with, they draw you into these municipal city limits and discourage properties in the country. Once you are locked in, BAM, they take services away and raise everything possible to cover their massive budget increases that are completely out of control.

Thornton Crowe said...

ANON 11:12am I'd like to see them. Can you send them to Joe's email for him to forward them on? You never know, I might use them in a future post. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Government works for the financiers who pay for campaigns.
Corporations are people now (somehow) and have "rights" under the law.
Corporate interests, even on a local level, usurp individual citizens' rights and interests.

I speak more about national level politics here, but I'm sure from the excellent reporting on this blog that the same holds true in Salisbury. I have read this blog for a long time even though I don't live there, and it sounds like your city is completely corrupt by local corporate interests.

Anonymous said...

JAKE DAY puff puff pass!! Stop bogarting whatever it us you're smoking

Anonymous said...

To 11:12 Poster - I remember seeing those same photos. And my wife use to comment about them ever time we visited the restaurant by saying, what has happened to Salisbury as the town used to look more thriving 100 years ago than compared to today. There was one photo showing a hoist unloading cargo from the belly of a schooner. And it was a rather large schooner/freighter.

Anonymous said...

Salisbury used to be a great place to live and raise your family, now it's just some drug/gang infested swamp land without any oversight n the local powers that be. They are left go all willy nilly without anyone to answer to. They laugh at all of us when they make these stupid decisions because whose going to call them out on it? Why hasn't someone contacted the Attorney General's office about that illegal budget we read about last week? When's that going to happen? Never? Would think some lawyer would have the set to do it!

Anonymous said...

Another way one can tell Salisbury/Wicomico has economically receded. Visit Wikander Yacht yard in Eden, MD. and also Green Hill Yacht & Country Club (now Green Hill - (drop the Yacht), and Wicomico Yacht. Talk about a by-gone era, the number of yachts are scant at best. All of the above noted boat basins used to be chock full of yachts and large sailing vessels. They are all now GONE!

Anonymous said...

I always advise any of my acquaintances do not move to Salisbury ! I got really angry when the $61 septic fee showed up on my tax bill. Don't these knuckleheads ever look at a map and realize I dont live anywhere near water and spend over $150 a year for septic maintenance ? Unbelievable the jerks we vote for.

Anonymous said...

It is easy to have an increase in new construction when the previous year(s) it was 0.

If my math is correct 3.6 homes is 360%. How do you build .6 of a home?

Anonymous said...

The only building going is more apartment structures, primarily for students - S Division, Beaglin Park and behind Tractor Supply.

Sorry but that's nothing to rave about...

Anonymous said...

1230: .6 of a home = subsidized housing. :D

Anonymous said...

Response to 12:30 PM Poster - that said if my math is correct 3.6 homes is 360% when the previous year(s) was 0.

That's an excellent point, and, it helps to drive home the fact as to why no one should trust the news being released out of City Hall. That's because it's all FAKE NEWS. Fact is - it is not happening in Salisbury, economically, politically, nor environmentally.

Anonymous said...

Bamboozled!

R.LamarrJ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I find it kinda insulting (from an outside of city limits business) and wonder where he gets his figures from that he claims wicomico county gets 91% of its business revenue from the city.. I would like to see proof of that, or what mathematical or verbal manipulation he is using to claim such a figure. There are many successful businesses out side of the city limits and in fact many have moved outside of the limits or closed all together.

IMO this statement is also a lie.

Anonymous said...

Believe me , the prices of houses ARE NOT going up.
Several yrs ago, ours was priced over $200,000.
Now, when you look at property for sale equivalent
to ours ----You're lucky to get $160,000. Who the
heck does " Day " think he's talking to anyway???

Anonymous said...

Day writes:
In last year's letter I laid out a list of plans that my administration would endeavor to accomplish in 2016. I am proud to report to you today that not a single item on our to do list was left incomplete.

Where is this list?

Anonymous said...

Main & 13 have been torn up for how long? Started in Oct and it's now almost July. No workers have been there since when? April? That's almost three months ago but nothing on his list is incompletely? What the hell is that mess?

Anonymous said...

212 the bulldozer and barriers are sculptures. It's art. Why do you dare the new aesthetic? Didn't you get that memo?

Anonymous said...

This guy is a total mental case. He truly believes all of the nonsense he releases as news. People please go to the uprising church website and check out where Day gets a lot of this from. LIFE and our daily functions and short comings can ALL be rectified with HOPE. All the failures and missed opportunity will be rectified with HOPE. Sick bunch of so called leaders

I Threw Up My Lemonade When I Saw This On Your Blog! said...

Next thing we'll hear is Jake is charging $500,000.00 per speaking engagement.

Anonymous said...

Someone bought the Feldman's building for $5,000? Is this true?

Anonymous said...

LOL 2:29 PM catch up.

Anonymous said...

Jake was never good at math. Or architecture. Or being a weekend "soldier". His parents wasted hundreds of thousands on worthless degrees only for his daddy stuck with giving junior a job. Jake's a joke. Just like he was in high school.

Anonymous said...

Jake's always said our problem is we don't have enough artwork around. That bulldozer display is his idea of contributing art to the community. 215 good call!

Anonymous said...

You can bet that building went to one of his friends for 5Gs. It wasn't anyone outside his inner sanctum. 229 you haven't been paying attention. Shame on you.

Anonymous said...

I'm a Realtor. Average values have not increased, but maybe a few thousand over the last few years, but that is it and not always the case when regarding location appeal. It really seems he grabbed that figure out of thin air or he is incapable of interpreting factual information. Either or, he is grossly incorrect or just plain lying.

Anonymous said...

I don't get it Salisbury has plenty of opportunities!! they're on the water!! it was once a thriving port? They need to support Shipbuilding industries again, riverfront restaurants, maybe a nice Promenade on the river? Swank hotels some entertainment... this is what they should be shooting for instead of welfare housing. Guess purdue is in the way of progress? on the river? Industry, industry and jobs jobs jobs??? Jakey boy.

Anonymous said...

I don't get it Salisbury has plenty of opportunities!! they're on the water!! it was once a thriving port? They need to support Shipbuilding industries again, riverfront restaurants, maybe a nice Promenade on the river? Swank hotels some entertainment... this is what they should be shooting for instead of welfare housing. Guess purdue is in the way of progress? on the river? Industry, industry and jobs jobs jobs??? Jakey boy.

Anonymous said...

Guess I forgot you're selling properties for $5k then turn around and sell it for $138k you've raised the cost by $133k. Is that what he's talking about? 🙄🙄🙄

Anonymous said...

The last 3 Mayors we have had have all been nut cases.What's up with Salisbury ?

Anonymous said...

'Lil Baltimore that's the joke on the streets of DA 'bury, smack city.

Anonymous said...

Nothing to be proud of 608.

Anonymous said...

The Bury will soon be like Detroit , the trash of the eastern shore , it is very close to that now. Affordable housing has destroyed this small town with it's ignorant leadership and scam artist. George and I talked at length about Salisbury and it's history , he was so sad to see what had happened in his life time. Trump is on a roll , let's have the faith.

Anonymous said...

Hey 3:26 put a name on your post if you want to hack jakes weekend soldier job. A soldier is a soldier reguardless if he only works weekends now or does more tours over seas. Obviously he loves his country. You might not agree with some of his political choices but what's that got to do with him serving his country in some way. Sounds like this is coming from someone who could never be a soldier.

Anonymous said...

5:06 PM Previous foreclosure rates were around 15%. It's possible

Anonymous said...

Have no use for a so called soldier who intentionally takes a position in local government to INTENTIONALLY keep him out of harms way!! He's nothing more than a attention whore. No I'm not @3:26 either

Anonymous said...

Wasn't intended to be a joke, FACT and the opinion of so nany

Anonymous said...

Some one needs to drug test the boy mayor. You'd have to be stoned to come up with numbers like that.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Crowe ,
Please keep chipping at this rock , you will eventually break it. I tuned in to SBY news back in 2007 , the only news . Mr. Albero and yourself have gained much respect
in my family and friends . Keep up the good work . Wayne

Thornton Crowe said...

Wayne -- Thank you for your kind words. Appreciate them more than you know! Like I say if these local government officials would simple do their jobs (well) then I could talk about more entertaining items. Let's hope one day, they get it. Until then, I'll remain diligent and dedicated to making sure people here understand the real situations instead of continuing the KoolAid drinking binge.

Thanks again.
--Thornton

Its All a SCAM. said...

When TAX payers propertys are sold to realtor friends like gillis and cannon there will be money to be made.

Anonymous said...

Thornton, you're probably on Jake's top list of public enemies, but love reading your well-researched articles!

JoeAlbero said...

2:29, Yes, it is true they bought the building for $5,000.00 .

Anonymous said...

This absolutely sickens me to constantly hear about the injustices that local government continue to get away with. These so called leaders of government and business and church call themselves men of character and integrity but every time you turn around someone has benefited from friendships that have been formed in private, benefits that aren't available or even knowledge of said possibilities. This is what these few leaders call religious "supernatural" blessings, benefits that happen to only a small " chosen" few. Reality it's flat out fraud

Anonymous said...

6:47 PM The reason there is so much HUD going on is because there is someone connected to the connected that used to work in government and knows how to write the HUD grants. And that is what they are doing. That is why they are focusing on HUD and it gets them money and work.

They don't care about the area or what it does. They make their millions, get free money, retire and move out of the area.

Anonymous said...

Joe this should be another story. Paying $5K for a building downtown is highway robbery. Who bought it?

Anonymous said...

Why do you think the former owner accepted the 5K offer -- it was a derelict structure at that time.

Anonymous said...

Good job, Jake the Fake!

Anonymous said...

Jake Day lives in a fantasy land if he thinks property values have gone up $133,000. Most homes in the area don't sell for that much so I don't get where he even uses math to make such a statement. It looks more like he's pulling numbers out of his butt.