Posted on 05/27/2005 4:18:54 AM PDT by chambley1
One would think that according to some of the letters appearing in this paper and others, that the only true test of a "good" elected official is that they stand on those elements of a tax rate, assessments, signing or not signing a tax pledge and this whole ball of wax on taxes.
It is important to know first off that it takes a majority vote to move any legislation along; no one person can do it alone.
Second, it is important what qualities, values and sincere ideals one has for the entire community and all citizens, not just for a small segment of the community.
One has to do what is right, be open to the needs and wishes of all citizens and make decisions that are in the best of the entire community.
It is because of all of this that I and many others know that Chairman Sean Connaughton of the Board of County Supervisors is the best and most qualified candidate in the lieutenant governors race.
Mr. Connaughton's leadership over these last five years has been spectacular for Prince William County.We have moved ahead on many levels with economic development, public schools, transportation and five-year budget planning.
While it takes more than one vote for these accomplishments, Sean has been able to lead and seek the cooperation of other supervisors, which has lead us out of just being a "bedroom" community.
Those who want to constantly pick away at one issue would do well to have been involved in their community in a constructive way, in order to understand where we have been and where we are going.
In looking at the Prince William Taxpayer Alliance and its few members who constantly jump for their pens and their protest signs, one has to wonder just who they expect to benefit from what they do?
In checking records, Taxpayer Alliance leader Denny Daugherty fared fairly well in 2003, when he sold his home for more than twice what he paid for it a few years prior. He went on to purchase one for well over $400,000. Another alliance leader, Bob Fitzsimmonds, had the same advantage of selling for more than $250,000 and moving on to purchase another for over $350,000.
Were they expecting to buy up and up but work to keep the taxes down?
And this is not even the whole story on these self-interested individuals. This is one example of their astounding hypocrisy employed to attack those they don't care for as they pull every tactic in the books to accomplish what is best for them.
Recently,they were all seen at the courthouse in Manassas where one of their comrades was to appear. It is interesting that Republican contender Steve Chapman, who owns a house in Dale City, quickly bought a condo that needs renovation for $185,000, when it had just sold in December 2004 (yes, three months prior) for $65,000.
But now all those "affordable housing" units will soon see their assessments going up to match this sale in March. No elected official can be blamed for this, but I know who to blame and I bet most citizens do also. There's nothing like playing self-serving games and constantly putting the blame on someone else.
It pays to get the facts and look deep before you pull that lever.
I am sure you will come to the same conclusion as I did. Vote Sean Connaughton for lieutenant governor.
Are you calling Connaughton a RINO?
Yes. He's as much as RINO as his mentor Congressman Tom Davis. Delegate Harry Parrish is a RINO also. The RINO's are taking over PW, with the help of the Democraps.
Appreciate the info. I just saw that Walter Stosch endorsed him. That speaks volumes.
Thanks for that information. You know how I feel about Stosch.
Yep, he's a RINO. Ask him about his stance on not only guns but private ownership of machine guns. NO WAY am I voting for him.
Mike
Parrish. RINO. Davis. Squish who cultivates a RINO image for his Fairfax voters. Connaughton. Don't see where he's a RINO. Pro-life. Pro-military. (Vet himself.) Pro-tax cuts (and not just rate cuts, actual payments, too.)
2004 -- Our home was assessed at $422,000 x $1.07 per $100 = $4,515.40
2005 -- Our home was assessed at $480,000 x $0.91 per $100 = $4,368.00
(FYI, we signed for our home in 2000 and only paid $263,000 for it.)
So, while our assessment went up $58,000 in one year (or nearly 14%), our actual tax bill is set to decrease by $147.40 (or just over 3%.) That's a cut in the tax rate AND in the amount of taxes that we will pay.
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