Several of the Augusta County Supervisors have released statements regarding the proposed tax rate increase and it appears residents are looking at a $.05 per $100 hit in the near future...
Several of these supervisors campaigned on keeping taxes low or even cutting taxes but now are looking for a substantial increase to pay for the services and projects that they voted for during their terms...
One of the most interesting expenses and issue was the addition of professional firefighters to the Yancey Fire Station after many homeowners in the exclusive "Hills of Emerald" found their home insurance rates increased due to "lack of coverage". There were many media reports at the time and this select community rallied to bring attention to their plight with events and meetings at the firehouse. Once they got their paid professional firefighter service, at the cost to the rest of Augusta County residents, we no longer hear of rallies or ways to help pay for this extra expense...
It's now time to pay for these additional services and projects ...
karaffa dutifully nods his head, says something that sounds wise and thoughtful and then votes just like Pyles tells him too.
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to watch now that Beyeler is gone and the fiscal responsibility is removed. Moore & Shull will have their hands full for Pyles will try to bully but I believe the people of Augusta are getting tired of him about now....
ReplyDeletewatch Karaffa and the SwackyGirl trumpet the new businesses coming to the county as solely due to his efforts I'd say it has more to do with past elected officials doing the right thing by holding the r/e tax low, a rate he now seems happy to raise to pay for Dr Kurts personal firefighter staff, among other goodies. Corporate business relocation have a lot more to do with state economic dev officials and a friendly statewide corporate tax structure. The best thing a local politician can do is stay out of the way.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget where we could be if the large plant, I believe Toyota, had been built here in the Valley and the jobs\revenue that would have brought. I hear that plant went South of here with many good paying jobs that the youth of the Valley could have had. Just seems that they do not a hard time raising the tax without offering trimming other programs. Education is one that people are afraid to talk about but history shows we have DUMPED big money into education with disappointing returns....
ReplyDeleteAny plans to cover the upcoming local elections? Its so nice to have an alternative to the Daily News Misleader and the silly Swagirl looks like Dr Kurt will get another bite at the apple. Will the GOP wake up or will it let another situation develop like 4 years ago where Karaffa won because Jeremy Shiflett sleptwalked until the last week of the campaign?
ReplyDeleteWhat again?
ReplyDeleteDo tell.....