LOL... in disgust!
When I heard the Galv.Mayor say, “... and that west end is 47% of our tax base.” I just about rocketed through the roof! I could not IMAGINE anybody saying that now! If she’s up for reelection, that is going to be played 24/8*
I can almost, just barely, see her justification for her staying in that block house/ fort of a hotel, but talking about tax base in connection with being the reason you’re concerned about half the island -— unbelievable!
(* that’s no typo -— somehow opponents will find an extra day)
Not to mention, that 47% probably only resides their 47%. I.E. we don't want to see you... we just want to see your house and your money.
The west end is mostly weekenders, retirees and vacation homes. People who pay for the public schools through taxation and never use them. We have neighbors on the west end in Pirates Beach that we have seen twice in ten years. Every year the property taxes go up. In ten years our assessed value has gone from $130,000 to $350,000. Every year we make the trek to protest our taxes. The last time we went to try to get our taxes reduced there was a group of people dressed up and reenacting the Boston Tea Party in the tax assessors office. After hurricane Rita we got $40 off our tax bill because we needed some minor roof repairs. If there is anything left of my house I will take pictures and take them with me to the assessors office next spring.