At a time when our country is facing a serious economic problem and the effect that it has on hard-pressed taxpayers, I sincerely believe local legislators must provide the leadership in changing the Metroplex spending format to help local taxpayers. For instance, if the Metroplex dollars were annually earmarked to offset the cost of sewer, water, garbage taxes, as well as some street work and neighborhood safety needs, the benefactors would be local, hard-pressed taxpayers and each of the neighborhoods. The legislative action I have herein respectfully asked our city and county legislators to take must be done as quickly as possible. Why? Because since Metroplex has been given the authority to borrow up to $75 million, local taxpayers will be facing serious financial payback burdens in the coming years. Local taxpayers, via their state/federal taxes, help subsidize many privatesector businesses. However, the same local taxpayers cannot afford to subsidize local business. The annual sales tax money must be used to help offset the cost of important annual infrastructure work. Local taxpayers are in favor of attracting new business. The same local taxpayers also patronize local business, but they cannot afford to subsidize private-sector business. The annual sales tax money of some $8 million or $9 million belongs to the people. As such, it should be used to help offset their property taxes. Please, local legislators, your bosses are local taxpayers; voters must not be put into a serious financial debt payback. Legislative action must be taken to prevent Metroplex from borrowing up to $75 million at the expense of local, hard-pressed taxpayers. Think about what you are strapping our next generation with. This is a time when we must all tighten our belts. FRANK J. DUCI Schenectady The writer is a former Schenectady mayor, city councilman and county legislator. http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar04003
So let me see if I am understanding this correctly....the plex takes our money. Then our taxes go up. Then someone is suggesting that the plex 'give us back' OUR money to help offset the increase in OUR taxes?
And even though I am totally against the plex with the idea of funding private businesses...it is also not the mission of the plex to help offset taxes to the people who actually CONTRIBUTE to it's funding. Perhaps there wouldn't have been such a tax increase IF the plex accomplished what it set out to do a decade ago. Remember? Attract stable, good paying jobs to add to the county's tax base. NOPE, hasn't happened yet, obviously! Instead these handful of business that have opened business in the county have tax breaks up the wazoo!!
Couple that with the state and federal cuts to us locals...we will ALL be in store for a huge tax increase next year. And yet our wonderful county legislatures could not find it in their hearts to cut spending. Perhaps they will next year, huh?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Why does Frank make more sense then any current elected official in the City? BT is right on the money Metrograft has been a total flop, helped chased away jobs and comes up with one idiotic idea after another. First condos, then sidewalks on Union Street, after wasting $3 million dollars on the Big Hose that still has not opened.
By reapportioning $9 million a year to the County General Fund and not Metrograft this County would see a 15% decrease in their record County Property taxes. This would do more to stimulate the economy than all the governmental gin mills, summer camps and new curb programs that Ray and Gary Hughes could dream up. You are being ripped off on your sales taxes and property taxes to benefit a handful. When you see horrible Judy D or Tony J ask why they raised taxes 10% in a recession?
Let's just all relax here.....Mr.Obama is going to employ how many folks.....2.1million??? I wonder what the wages are??? I bet right in line for the Schenectady County populace........we shall see.......
As for the 10% tax increase....the government must look like it is in control and in some sort of action to quell the restless, irritated souls that are beginning to get fearful of the loss of their money tickets......what happens when a bulls you-know-whats are strapped.....yup,,,,,that's what happens to masses when their cash is strapped........
but,,,,,the future's so bright,,,
Quoted Text
I study nuclear science I love my classes I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses Things are going great, and they're only getting better I'm doing all right, getting good grades The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades, I gotta wear shades
I've got a job waiting for my graduation Fifty thou a year -- buys a lot of beer Things are going great, and they're only getting better I'm doing all right, getting good grades The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades I gotta wear shades
Well I'm heavenly blessed and worldly wise I'm a peeping-tom techie with x-ray eyes Things are going great, and they're only getting better I'm doing all right, getting good grades The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades I gotta wear shades
(instrumental break)
I study nuclear science I love my classes I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses Things are going great, and they're only getting better I'm doing all right, getting good grades The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades I gotta wear shades I gotta wear shades I gotta wear shades
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS