[RP TownTalk] Zip Code Change

Sat Oct 26 20:13:39 UTC 2013

Bruce,

I am sorry if the point was not clear. I am also sorry if you were
offended. I apologize for your misunderstanding.

I was suggesting that like those battling against one thing or another
coming out of Washington -- FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN is used as a weapon. And, I
believed your argument used the same tactic fear coupled with bonus scary
argument: wasted tax money. We all hate tax money to be wasted so you have
lots of fans in that department. But that this is no evidence of that.
Still, we all get nervous.

It seems you simply disagree that a new zip will help boost the town's
appeal and revenues while a number of others have clearly pointed out why
they believe a new zip could be a benefit. And the argument about increased
property tax assessments has been countered with the suggestion that
attracting new and more businesses into the Town will generate more
revenue, negating the need to increase assessment percentages. Certainly
good points in the conversation.

I am sure no one wants to squelch pursuit of  new ways to build business
and revenues in this Town, particularly after dwelling here for nearly
three decades.

This is a conversation, not an argument, and I am sorry if your toes were
stepped on. And I agree with you, we all want iPads and the newest of all
gizmos. I, for one, cannot wait until the new Tesla Motors showroom and the
Apple stores open in Riverdale Park, each bearing that brand new zip code.
I'll dump my Ford Pinto and Royal typewriter in a DC minute for them!

Jeffrey

On Sat, Oct 26, 2013 at 3:42 PM, Bruce Wernek <bruce.wernek at verizon.net>wrote:

> Jeff****
>
> ** **
>
> I you have a point, then make it Jeff.  Please don’t revert to the dialog
> I’d expect to hear in the sandbox when I was 6 years old. ****
>
> ** **
>
> As far as giving the Riverdale students iPads, I have no idea what you are
> talking about. If there are any leftover, I’ll take one.  I’d appreciate it
> if you kept your “memories” to yourself and not post them on distribution.
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> I realize what I’m asking you to do may be difficult for you, but please
> try to be civil Jeff. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Bruce****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Jeffrey Yorke [mailto:yorkedial at gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Saturday, October 26, 2013 11:58 AM
> *To:* Bruce Wernek
> *Cc:* TownTalk
> *Subject:* Re: [RP TownTalk] Zip Code Change****
>
> ** **
>
> Before launching into Ron Paul/Rush Limbaugh/Fox News talking points,
> Bruce, can you explain how talk by anyone about a new zip code will cost
> "tax dollars"? And, why the war against change and improvement? ****
>
> ** **
>
> Weren't you the fellow (and the only one, as I remember) that was AGAINST
> giving Riverdale students iPads last year when it was proposed/discussed.
> Pencils were good enough your day, you said, why not good enough today? **
> **
>
> ** **
>
> I am getting more afraid of fear everyday ... ****
>
> ** **
>
> Jeffrey****
>
> ** **
>
> On Sat, Oct 26, 2013 at 11:18 AM, Bruce Wernek <bruce.wernek at verizon.net>
> wrote:****
>
> Jonathan, et. al.****
>
>  ****
>
> I’ve lived in this Town for ~25 years and the demographics have changed
> significantly over the last decade.  Riverdale has been attracting young
> families for quite some time now.  You haven’t lived here long enough to
> see this change.  Take yourself and Ashley as examples.  Both of you bought
> here.  Why did you buy your house on Oliver St?  If you wanted higher
> property values, you could have bought in College Heights Estates or
> Calvert Hills.  I’m guessing the reason you bought here is that it was more
> affordable and you got more bang for the buck.****
>
>  ****
>
> One of the things that attracts young families to a community is
> affordable housing and that we have in Riverdale Park.  You are essentially
> advocating higher priced housing and claiming that it attracts “young,
> vibrant new families”.  I don’t agree.  Young, vibrant new families often
> can’t afford high priced housing and, as Chris Currie pointed out, they
> choose Riverdale Park.  I want these young families to move into this
> Town.  This is exactly what we need and this is exactly what has been and
> is happening.****
>
>  ****
>
> I noticed you referenced in your email that “the town has been pursuing a
> zip code change over that last 6 months”.  Are you the one that introduced
> the legislation to do this?  What is the status of this activity?  I want
> to make it clear that I don’t want my tax dollars used for this purpose.
> Rather, use those dollars to fix the brick inlays on the sidewalks all over
> Town.  The bricks have settled in many places and are a hazard to
> pedestrians particularly the handicapped.  Making meaningful improvements
> to the Town and infrastructure is a great way to increase property values
> much more so than a zip code change.****
>
>  ****
>
> If any of you on distribution feel as I do on this zip code issue, I urge
> you the contact your elected officials.  As far as I’m concerned there are
> plenty of better things to do with our tax dollars to improve our
> community.   ****
>
>  ****
>
> Bruce****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org [mailto:
> towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Ebbeler
> *Sent:* Saturday, October 26, 2013 10:13 AM
> *To:* 'towntalk at riverdale-park.org'
> *Subject:* [RP TownTalk] Zip Code Change****
>
>  ****
>
> Bruce, et. al. –****
>
>  ****
>
> It is not just about selling and moving.  It is also about attracting
> young, vibrant new families to the area, it is about attracting new and
> varied businesses and economic development, it is about division of state
> tax money, it is about qualifying for home improvement loans.  I could list
> out 10-20 reasons from the top of my head that have nothing to do with the
> benefits of selling and moving that directly impact the local community.**
> **
>
>  ****
>
> And to the point about image I would disagree with those bringing up that
> it hasn’t worked.  Obviously the news story got it wrong and that is why
> this conversation is being had.  But the town has been pursuing the zip
> code change over the last 6 months – this story is hardly a catalyst.  The
> fact of the matter is that housing in Riverdale Park fetches a 100-150k+
> premium over an identical house in Riverdale.  The issue becomes that
> although higher, we still lag some of our surrounding communities in price
> per square foot.  Is this all related to the zip code?  Of course not, but
> until there is a clearly delineated division between the county ‘Riverdale’
> and the incorporated town of Riverdale Park in the minds of the less
> informed (and yes zip codes help), lingering understanding of what is the
> town vs. what is the county will remain.  ****
>
>  ****
>
> Take the shooting story for example.  In this case, you have a story going
> out to the media that has an address.  In recent memory, Riverdale Park has
> received much more attention than Riverdale so when looking at a zip code
> and having to pick between two cities it is quite easy to confuse the two.
> The 4-digit extension ties an address to a specific house or property, it
> doesn’t necessarily indicate municipal boundaries.  Take for example the
> new NOAA building, it has a Riverdale Park address yet gets marketed as
> being in College Park since a portion of the building is in our neighboring
> city.  ****
>
>  ****
>
> To the point of the Zestimate – those are HIGHLY inaccurate and that point
> just buttressed the argument I had made concerning the zip code change.
> They are HIGHLY inaccurate due to the aggregation of all of 20737 as
> ‘comps’ when they are in fact not.  Our true ‘comp’ areas (if you are
> considering the core historic area) tend to be College Park, University
> Park (to a lesser degree), and Hyattsville.  This is not true in every case
> but in the majority of purchases over the last 3-5 years.  I will give you
> two instructive examples:  4601 Riverdale – Zestimate 233,336, was sold
> after a 1-day listing for 366,100 and 4601 Queensbury – Zestimate 297,444
> but appraised over the last year for over 400k using real comps.  4601
> Queensbury and 4601 Riverdale are 2 houses away from each other, and
> although both were high-end renovations, Queensbury has substantially more
> square footage, a 50% larger yard, and a two car garage.  The Zestimate has
> it 70k less than what its neighbor sold for in less than a day (indicating
> the market may have absorbed an even higher price for the property) – not a
> believable estimate juxtaposed to its real appraisal.  Again, Zestimates
> are based on the zip code 20737, not what banks and real estate agents, and
> the buying public will determine as ‘comparable.’****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
> Respectfully,****
>
> Jonathan****
>
>  ****
>
>
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>
>
>
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> --
> Jeffrey Yorke
> Yorke Property Management, Inc.
> Yorke Partners
> Jeffrey at YorkeRents.com
> 301-502-1243****
>

-- 
Jeffrey Yorke
Yorke Property Management, Inc.
Yorke Partners
Jeffrey at YorkeRents.com
301-502-1243
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