Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:51:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jason Strickland
Subject: RE: taxation
Jason:
The income from sales tax in Chatham would be negligible. Where were you when the LTT was discussed? There were forums all over the county and it was much discussed by those who know the difference in income that would be generated by sales taxes vs. the LTT or property taxes. It was also pointed out that less-THAT’S RIGHT LESS! than 17% of the population of Chatham County would have paid the LTT. Yet it failed because the National Realtors Association and the National Home Builders Association poured $100,000.00+ into it’s defeat. Aint it great that the very people who are making the most $$$ off the development that Chatham County is experiencing spent their PAC money to put the funding for infrastructure on the backs of the current property owners of Chatham?
Chatham County does not have enough business in the county to generate the sales tax needed to fund the infrastructure we need here.
Where have you been? Do you read anything or do you just like to complain?
Dear Chatlisters, here’s my first response and boyhowdy what a response. First let me say Mldy746, I personally thought this would stimulate open and productive discussion about a situation that affects all of us. Yet somehow this turned into a launching pad for your abusive tirade towards me.
Yes, I have read and discussed openly your precious yet fatally flawed LTT. And voted against it as it would only apply to “17 percent” of the people living here. Even the state general assembly has realized what a disaster it was and are actively attempting to repeal the provisions they made for the counties to enact it. Much like property taxes this option only affects a small portion of the populace.
Why should we property owners have to carry the whole burden of an increase in demand on our infrastructure? I’m sorry you misguidedly feel that there are not enough sales in Chatham to offset this burden, however you are wrong.
I personally would be willing to pay even one percent more in sales tax because this would be a tax paid by everyone, not just the lucky few who own a piece of our beautiful county. Every drop of gas sold, every stick of wood bought at Lowe’s, every artery clogging bite of fast food (yum), every red cent spent here would be subject to supporting our budget. Not just farmer Bob struggling to make ends meet already. And what about all those just passing through or coming to visit just for our budding arts mecca? Bet they buy something before they leave.
Also, the evil Realtors Association did not defeat the LTT. The voters of Chatham did. Their money didn’t buy my vote, common sense did. We heard your wailing and gnashing long before we started getting the mailers.
Wake up Chatham and smell the coffee. People like this would much rather place the burdens of government on the few than maybe have to take some responsibility themselves. If I remember correctly their most (least) effective argument was “If you never sell your land, you won’t be affected”. To me that translates to “Sucks to be you. Glad I won’t have to pay my own way”.
I’ll concede that there may be multiple ways to draw much needed revenue into our coffers, but lets at least come up with fair and balanced options.
Anyway, you have begun to bore me. Why don’t you stop complaining about this dead horse subject and provide some useful ideas rather than another attempt at a failed concept that won’t get us any closer to a resolution. And on top of that, let’s keep this discussion open here on the chatlist where all our peers can judge for themselves the validity of our arguments. I welcome criticism good or bad. I don’t feel the need to hide in cyberspace snipping from the shadows. I’ve learned from those mistakes. It is a cowards attack and usually indicates shame in your own words.
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