[RP TownTalk] TownTalk Digest, Vol 10, Issue 33

[Brian Boettger]

I'd be interested in a town "Neighborhood Watch".
It's a nice idea to want to increase revenue by getting business' into the 
empty buildings, however, what can the town do to facilitate that? From what 
I understand is that the town will be at the mercy of the property owners. 
If they want them to sit vacant, or want to charge astronomical rents, what 
can the town do other than make it easy for business and developers to 
produce property that is of value.
The reality is that services cost money. You want a service, it is only 
reasonable that you pay for it. Also, from what I understand is that our 
property taxes are pretty reasonable for our location and the quality of the 
neighborhood. Remember our amenities. We're inside the beltway, and walking 
distance to 2 Metro stops and a MARC train stop. With the addition of the 
many projects developing in the area, your property values will only rise 
(increasing your tax payment) along with fuel costs, salaries, supplies, 
etc. I think it is unrealistic to think that our tax rates will not be 
effected.
Brian


>Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 15:00:50 EDT
>From: ABragg7393 at aol.com
>Subject: [RP TownTalk] taxes
>To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
>Message-ID: <cea.f74fed9.337caee2 at aol.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>With all the talk about raising taxes, it occurred to me that this happens
>all the time when we talk the budget.  Seems like our elected officials 
>always
>want to raise taxes and It doesn't matter who those elected officials are.
>(Whoever is in office at the time of the budget meetings)  The question is 
>always
>"If you don't want to raise taxes, what services do you want to cut?"  For
>over 30 years I have heard that same question and I always have the same 
>answer.
>  "I want my services and I don't want a raise in taxes."  It always comes
>down to the residents having to cough up more money, or small businesses 
>taking
>the brunt of it.  I have a novel idea!  What about all those buildings in 
>Town
>Center - vacant.  What about those buildings on Kenilworth Ave. - vacant.  
>How
>about the Old Suntrust bank building - semi vacant.  What if they were 
>rented
>out to businesses and brought revenue to the town.  Why don't we go there.
>Why don't we find a way to address this lack of revenue?  It doesn't always
>have to be on the backs of the residents.
>
>Audrey
>
>

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