So you say you are a Democrat, guess what, your taxes are going up to. How is that working. Here's a little song for you.
Follow this link to a petition for no property tax increase
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/a-petition-for-no-property-tax-increase-in
Tax increase could exceed U.S. growth by 1,000 %
By: Steve Trubilla
I could easily fill pages; even write a book about the millions of dollars that have been spent and lost, too often on what I will call flawed and or poor decisions, not to mention more millions lost to lawsuits, settlements, and legal fees.
Then there are the decisions made spending money directly, allegedly benefiting families and or friends of politicians that vote to approve them.
The proposed Franklin County tax increase is reported to be 600 percent higher than the annual rate of growth for the U.S. economy.
I have learned the proposed increase does not include funding for everything department heads have asked for.
When you factor in those unfunded deficiencies, and the proposed municipality tax increases, the actual number for the tax increase climbs to upwards of 1,000 percent of the current growth rate for our national economy.
On its face, in my opinion, this is obscene.
There are people in "our" county that cannot pay for food, shelter, electricity, water, and medication. I am told of those living in the crawl spaces under houses, and in their cars.
These tax increases will do little if anything to help them.
Hey! This is not a fairy tale, or what could be. It is reality for those living with it, and it is a nightmare for them.
As recent as a few weeks ago, "safety net" agencies were said to be out of money. Then again, I am told of one that may be sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, who knows what the real truth is? If true, it too is obscene.
There are others in Franklin County, some whom have worked very hard, who are doing very well. I commend them. People that work hard should do well. They should not be punished with punitive taxes for the failure of those elected and/or hired to do the people's business.
Proposed tax increases upwards of 1,000 percent above the annual growth rate of the U.S. economy, and the county wants to increase spending by adding new positions to the county payroll?
Okay, let me see if this makes sense: You do not have money to fix your car, so you hire a chauffeur. Who does this?
A better question might be who pays people to make these kinds of decisions? The answer is you do. Your tax dollars are paying for it.
Politically, these tax increases are being presented in an off-election year. Of course they are, it is the way such things are done.
I am not opposed to a tax increase. Clearly there needs to be one. What I want is accountability. Why it is when incompetence results in the loss of millions of dollars no one is fired?
Why, when failure is repeated, does nothing change? The best question is why do we keep re-electing the same people that are doing this?
It is time for people here to demand answers.
There are meetings going on right now about these proposed tax increases. One of them will be held on June 1 at the County Administrative building at 7 p.m. in Louisburg.
So, here is your opportunity to tell some officials how you feel about things. Now do not get too excited, I have been to many of these types of meetings.
There is a time in the meeting for citizens to speak. You have to arrive a little early and put your name on a list to do so.
This is where it gets ridiculous. You speak, ask questions. Few officials intently pay any attention, some blindly stare at you, others may be texting, or talking to one another. They answer nothing. Then after about five minutes you are told to sit down.
If you press the issue, stand by to hear the chairman of your board of county commissioners, Sidney Dunston, say to you, "We are not going to engage in a back and forth."
He will say it in a manner that I feel is arrogant and meant to intimidate. My experience is, as is the experience of many others, you will never have your questions answered.
Now if you do press on anyway, stand by for your county attorney, Pete Tomlinson, a very nice man, to support Dunston. Don't take issue with Tomlinson, he is just doing what you pay him to. Part of his job is to make sure everyone follows the rules on how meetings are conducted.
If this is still not enough to get you to shut-up and sit down, look around the room, there are armed Franklin County deputies.
I understand there have to be rules. If not, meetings would go on forever, and nothing would get done. This said, if the rules are that citizens really have no voice, what is the point of letting people speak?
My view is the rules for the meetings are rigged only to give the appearance of citizen participation.
A possible first step towards moving Franklin County forward is to change these rules.
You deserve answers to your questions. If nothing else, it is common courtesy.
One person standing up at a meeting will not get it done.
I am asking every citizen in Franklin County to attend the June 1 county commissioners' meeting.
Bring your children, and friends.
Please consider bringing a small sign, and try to sit in the front row with it. "Together we are many."
My Money Monday
No Property Tax Hike Meeting, June 1, 6:00 p.m.
Please Attend!
The county wants to hike taxes by 12 cents on the $100 valuation. A $200,000 home would be subjected to a $240 tax increase. A $300,000 home would be subjected to a $360 increase.
The Franklin County Republican Party is planning a "My Money Monday" for 6 p.m. Monday, June 1, on the steps of the Franklin County courthouse in Louisburg.
The GOP is asking those who support no additional tax increases to attend -- and to bring signs expressing how they want their tax money spent.
The group then plans to attend the 7 p.m. county commissioners' meeting as a group.
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I have been trying to find someone to tell me how long the Democrats have been in control of Franklin County, NC. I have talked to many long time residents. You know, no one can really tell me. A wonderful woman in her eighties replied, "Well ever since I was a little girl".
What do you think, is it time to change that? Well in 2016 it can happen, be part of it.
http://www.franklinncgop.com/
"Together we are many"
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