IntenseDebate - Freethinker

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Op... · 0 replies · +2 points

The city will probably change their cost estimation rules next time. The good folks at “Good Neighbors” are an impressive group of organizers, I’ll give you that.

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Ar... · 2 replies · +1 points

If I was on the City Board, I’d respond that “No, we won’t give more than the county. I’ll match your offer and vote to match any tax reduction the county gave.

This would be supporting the idea of recruiting business.

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Op... · 1 reply · +2 points

Janet,
Involuntary annexations by their character will always be unpopular among the people being annexed. It is unrealistic to think that the board should make the decision based on the opinions of the people being annexed. The leaders are trying to do what’s best for the overall town, not the people being annexed.

I do agree with you that public questions and comments serve a very important role in our local government, and the ABC board example you gave is an excellent one. I also agree that many times willful leaders such as Ms. Hall and in past years Mr. Sides do ask good and tough questions and this role is important also. I just don’t think you or I should make blanket statements about how our leaders don’t listen to us and the meetings are a farce.

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Ar... · 4 replies · +1 points

Suppose the City responds to the County Manager’s idea to jointly lower tax rates at the airport and makes this offer: “We agree that lowering the tax rate to attract business at the airport is a good idea. We will lower our tax rate the same number of cents as the County does but no more.”

Should the county move forward or should they continue to make speeches and complain about why the city should contribute more ? I have a feeling that Ms. Hall (and maybe you) would want to continue to talk about the history of the situation and the unfairness of it all. Ms. Hall would probably make 2 or 3 more enemies in the process but probably not get anywhere with the City board. My point is this: Either support the County Manager’s idea or don’t. Picking a fight as a response to the Mr. Page’s idea is a waste of time.

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Ar... · 6 replies · +1 points

CR,
The federal government put up most of the money to build the airport. But that’s not the point. The county manager suggested a lowering of the tax rate to enable better recruitment of business at the airport. Rather than engaging in history telling and finger-pointing, discuss the manager’s idea and make a decision. It’s fine for the county to ask the city to give more of their share than the county if you want, but don’t lose sight of your goal. Recruit business. The county can only control their own vote. I suggest the most direct route to an agreement with the city would be to each give 50/50. Fairness is irrelevant. Get it done.

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Op... · 5 replies · +2 points

Poor comment Janet. You sound like you are becoming one of the bitter anti-govt people on here. Most of our elected officials run for office because they want our community to prosper. Comments like yours have the unwritten premise that our local leaders have the intention to do our community harm and that they don't care about the public. They are the evil people who cause all our problems. This is bunk.

I also disagree with their actions many times, but I don't think we should go so far as to make wild accusations and comments such as the above. And by the way, the city backed down from most of the recent annexation after a LOT of public input.

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Op... · 0 replies · +5 points

Right on Voice !! Great point on the number of brand new vehicles the county & city buy. The number of supervisor level Sheriff deputies driving brand new SUV's every year is wasteful and should be changed. Also, the maintenance dept, the parks/rec dept, animal control, the new city communications people & on & on drive practically brand new vehicles. I suggest that 8 years service life would be reasonable for vehicles, with the exception being police cruisers which understandably need to be in great shape. This would save tax dollars !

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Ar... · 8 replies · +1 points

My point is that griping about the city’s annexation is wasted effort. It was done. The commissioners should focus on the idea at hand, lowering the tax rate. The county and city should agree to jointly lower the rates rather than griping over who should lower it more, in my opinion.

I’m well aware of the city’s annexation of the airport, as I’ve lived on the western edge of town most of my life, both in and out of the city.

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Op... · 0 replies · +1 points

Fair enough, randomgirl. I hope that you don’t take my earlier criticism personally.

14 years ago @ SalisburyPost.com -- Y... - SalisburyPost.com - Op... · 0 replies · +1 points

The sales tax issue that will come before voters is to pay for the $6 million jail AND the $14 million communication system used by the police, firefighters and your favorite, the rescue squad.

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