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JCC Republican Candidates Offer Pre-emptive Promise: No Tax HikesBy Desiree Parker Wednesday, November 02, 2011 The three Republican candidates for James City County’s Board of Supervisors issued a pre-emptive statement letting citizens know they will not support tax increases to offset any potential reduction in revenues, though the suggestion has not yet been made. A press release from the James City County Republican Committee issued Tuesday said current Supervisor Jim Kennedy, Chairman Mary Jones and fellow Republican Jack Fraley, who is running for the Roberts District seat, “will not support a tax rate hike to offset any potential reduction in revenues after reassessments are completed.”The county reassesses real estate values every two years, and the next assessment cycle will take place early next year. At a recent meeting to begin the school contract renegotiation process, County Administrator Robert Middaugh said the county is bracing for a revenue drop that could be as much as six percent. “There has been much speculation concerning the results of the upcoming reassessments,” according to the press release. “When people see the values of their homes decline, the right response by government is not to raise tax rates,” according to Kennedy. “We must not compound the hardships of the people of James City by expecting them to foist over the same amount of money to County government after they’ve seen a drop in the value of their home. That just makes a bad situation worse.” Jones noted that the county is running a multi-million-dollar surplus this year. “The citizens have to live within their means, and they have every right to expect their government do the same,” she said. Jones said she didn’t want the government to makes things harder on residents “by adjusting the tax rate to ‘level fund’ the government.” Middaugh said in an interview Tuesday that he has not proposed any plan to raise taxes. He and staff are currently just working on getting information together for the board to begin the budgeting process for the next biennium, he noted. “We’re really at the front-end stage of this and we want to get a good picture to the board so they can start thinking about options.” When asked if she had heard any specific proposals about raising taxes, Jones said that “there is no official proposal, however, I have been hearing the concern from homeowners who are anxious about reassessments and I want to make it clear that I will not support a tax rate increase.” Fraley noted he has heard similar concerns while talking to residents during the campaign. Read more about the county’s reassessment program on the county’s website. |
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Comments
You see I pay taxes in JCC, and Mr. Goodson is my Supervisor.
JCC/Williamsburg are the birthplace of America as we know it and Yorktown every bit as important to ALL Americans, regardless of where they reside.
People/children still travel from across the country to see the birthplace of America. No wonder people outside the community are contributing money to help preserve this National asset.
Only problem I see is there is less and less of what represents this birthplace to share as we pave the place over and build more and more of the same as anywhere else that is over developed.
We need to capitalize on our history, not allow others to exploit it.
Jack Fraley had the courage to refuse such donations, why not Goodson, Jones and Kennedy who all benefited from such 4 years ago.
A bit too much on the inside if you ask me.
A couple observations.
1. Anybody who opts to buy into a mixed use development in James City County is a fool.
2. Mary Jones provided one of the yes votes for this nuisance. I will remember that when I vote next week. I hope all the other people impacted by this nuisance will, too.
But it would help if Really would back up the claims with data and hyperbole.
We need Supes that will listen to the people of JCC (not developers), weigh alternatives and make decisions that will enhance our quality of life now and for years to come. If that's what the residents want and are willing to pay for it, then so be it.
Keep going down the same old path and JCC will be nothing more than half empty shopping centers sooner than you think.
1. The Republicans appointed donor Chris Henderson, yes. The Democrats appointed Tony Obadahl, Debbie Kratter, Al Woods, and Joe Poole. All donors to local and state democrats. The first 3, all contributed to Icenhour, McGlennon and Stockton.
2. The Republicans took money from those in development, all declared for the world to see, and listed. The Democrats took money from a family in development, PAC Money from ActBlue, un-reportable for donors, a money washing PAC. Mr. McGlennon has collected $1,000.00 of his money from this out of state PAC in this last reporting period. The College has ponied up large, and Banks, and HMO's, Lawyers with development ties Gilbert Bartlett, and others. The out of state money is amusing, and the laundering scheme of ActBlue, an ACORN style group is concerning also. So one seat for the Republican donor and 4 seats at varying times for Democrats.
3 I would support fully funded elections from government funds, would you? It would be limited to X amount, and no other funds.