THIS WRITER WONDERS WHAT SIDE SANDRA TALBOT IS ON?
AW
Sandra Talbot said what? You've got to be kidding! She is suggesting that Woodstock should have to "make cuts to lessen the blow from the County?" Who the hell is she working for?
I believe she was elected by the residents of Woodstock to represent us on County Council.
Why is she advocating that Woodstock take the hit to make up for that ridiculous increase from the County?
She should be demanding that the County tighten its goddam belt, suck it up and learn to be fiscally responsible.
She wants to be Deputy Mayor? I would expect my Deputy Mayor to speak on behalf of the City not the County.
Deputy Warden seems more appropriate.
31 comments:
No one ever said that she drank from the fountain of wisdom.I tend to beleive that she gargles in it.
This comes a something of a surprise. She has seemed more balanced lately. I should have known better.
"Shrill shrew"??? I thought we were past that term for women who dare to say something we don't like.
One thing you may want to consider is that perhaps she has more knowledge or information on the issues at hand than you do.
After seeing that post, I chose to remove it...as i do not agree with the posters comments.
That's rich. I think what you meant to write, Jim, is that the comment was inappropriate and derogatory.
Or will you begin removing all comments you disagree with? There would be a certain amount of irony in that.
That sounds better Hugo! I hope everyone gets the drift though. Let's keep the comments clean.
The original question had nothing to do with anyone's intelligence. The question had to do with motivation and carried no insult of a personal nature.
Hopefully any subsequent comments will deal with the question and not personal insults.
aw
It seems a conflict that they are on 2 councils?
City and County. Two piggies fighting over who gets the most out of the trough. ...and we are the trough.
Those jobs should be seperated and that persons could maybe only sit on one or the other council but it wont solve the other problems of all the money we pay to them.
The problems won't be solved by tinkering with the make up of councils. Even removing Woodstock completely from the influence of the County would accomplish nothing if the current crop of councilors remain in their seats.
The problems will be solved when we elect the right people to do the job. We did a lousy job when we voted last time. Let's do better next time.
There is no such thing as electing the right people. I think that having the right to recall the pricks is the real issue.
you cannot make a law that makes people personally honest, but you can make a law that says you're out.
All men are subject to being corrupt under the right circumstances. Not all men act on it though.
"There is no such thing as electing the right people."
You're right. I was full of kaka when I said "elect the right people." What was I thinking?
....recall!
.... of course, not electing assholes would be good too. :)
Taking the "SIDE" out of the title might explain a lot. :)
To the person who posted this one ..."One thing you may want to consider is that perhaps she has more knowledge or information on the issues at hand than you do."
In light of the County's announcement that they are shooting for 3% I don't think I need to consider your recommendation. Her statement makes absolutely no sense at all in light of this new information ..that she apparently did not have at hand. :)
Now that the County has backed off just watch Woodstock Council go for a bigger bite.
Here's a quote from Harding regarding the county budget, "I’m uncomfortable bankrupting the future to make us look good today."
Is this the same guy who is forecasting 29 MILLION in debt for the City over the next 3 years???
Here is an idea - increase the property tax on empty commercial and industrial properties and lower the rates on those businesses that choose to stay.
Increase prop tax on buildings that aren't generating income for the owners? What next? Increase prop tax for people who are unemployed?
Anonymous - If you are unemployed you do not get a break on your property tax - However if you are a factory owner and you close up shop you get up to a 65% tax break on your vacant building. The services you get from the municipality are actually increased at the municipality's expense - Economic Development officers are at your disposal - your building will likely require more police and fire department presence - The snow still gets removed from the street - your sewers etc. all are still maintained. BUT you can afford to keep the land in private hands and become a land speculator - holding out for a better price. Meanwhile those people you put out of work are required through their property tax to make up for the shortfall. Doesn't seem fair to me!
CAMI Automotive has an appeal of the property tax those fine folks at MPAC have assessed it at over the last few years - Rumour has it that it overpaid about 7 MILLION Dollars in property taxes - If they win their appeal the Town of Ingersoll and the County are required to issue them a cheque forthwith. GUESS who will be left holding the bag with an empty reserve account? You and I -
Guess what happens to those fine folks at MPAC for screwing up in the first place - NOTHING! - Note - MPAC has not done property assessments for 2 years - That 3% increase will be on the mill rate at the 2008 assessments - Translate that in to about 5 to 7 percent increase on your bill with the increased value of properties in Woodstock - Anybody out there pissed like I am?
Toyota also gets a break on their taxes till 2009.
And our $58,000/yr - Plus expenses County Warden thinks the public just doesn't understand why the new county building costs so much extra - And yet him and Ms. Talbot can't even show up on time for county council meetings dealing with the budget???? - Noticed that their suggested wage increase wasn't posted as a percentage - only that they are going to follow some guideline ( Gee - I wonder who come up with the committee to study the wages they should get??)
callmemit:
Colour me educated. I wasn't aware that the breaks given owners of vacant commercial properties were that extreme. Point taken.
As for the rest, I'm fully aware of what's going on. I was just a bit deficient in the vacant property tax department.
You're preaching to the choir. I'll bring the pitchfork. You bring the torch.
My evil plan is to somehow get councillors to look at adjusting the tax rates in such a way that those brave souls that choose to have a business in Ontario receive a break on their taxes. A higher tax on vacant properties will keep those landlords that like to increase rent just when your business starts taking off at bay as they will fear an empty building. Commercial property values will come down and if a property owner can not afford to pay the taxes the municipality can recover the lost revenue by acquiring the land through a tax sale. If the winning bidder is not the municipality then the taxes owing must be paid. It is a cheap way for municipalities to acquire commercial land without the costs of expropriation and changes to land use. It is serviced land which reduces the input costs also which lowers the taxes to everyone.
Why does this not draw even one comment from my town's councillors and the mayor (Who happens to be County Warden?) It also minimizes the impact when a large industry leaves town. This should be a province-wide initiative.
Here is another little tidbit - Say you have a building that is condemed or should be - It is cheaper to keep paying those reduced taxes than it is to tear the building down. A higher tax rate will force a business decision on the owner - tear the building down and pay only the taxes on the bare land or fix the property up and sell or rent it.
Funny municipalities will hire people to study downtown cores - what to do with brownfield sites etc. but not initiate a funding exercise that will put the onus on private individuals and corporations and add to municipal revenue.
"Why does this not draw even one comment from my town's councillors"
You've approached them on this and they have refused to respond in any way??
Good letter Tim, I mean mit. :)
That actually sounds like something that could work.
I mena, if it was me, and I owned a property that was determined to be commercial, and say it was empty, the taxes should be higher on it ..
You are right, It wouldencourage growth, reduce land speculation, and perhaps keep some of those absentee landlords out of our city.
now to see if we can get even one councillor to bring this one up.
The tax break for a vacant property should be changed immediately.
Look at the old ACE bowling alley location between Light and vansittart. It's sat there for 5-6 years with nothing going on with a landlord who is attempting to sell condos on speculation....for years now.
...And the owner of that vacant eyesore is a director of the BIA. I guess that makes it OK.
And she's the Liberal party prez as well.
Yeah. She's doing for downtown what McWeasel's doing for the province.
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