It’s our money, darn it!

I certainly don’t intend to be partisan. But … government should have to defend adequately how they spend our money. The following editorial is from the local “Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance.” * If the people don’t speak out on 2 April at 6pm at the County Office Building, or by contacting your representatives, don’t complain.

“It’s only a “pizza and beer a month,”to paraphrase one member of the Board of Supervisors reaction to last year’s failure to raise taxes to their original proposal of 30% (they were raised “only” 19.5%). The difference equates to $15 per month or $180 per year. Doesn’t sound like much does it? We’ll get back to that later.

That statement ignores that a property valued at $300,000 in 2007 already paid an increased tax bill of $332 / year from the supervisors ‘ 19.5% tax increase. So let’s be clear, there was no tax cut. Further, because state law requires that the rate be lowered to produce an equal amount of tax revenues (plus 1%), there was no “rate cut” either.

To suggest there was a rate cut is to ignore state law.

Had this additional “pizza and beer” increase gone through, that property owner would have received a  $512 per year increase! This is more than chump change. Do you really think that if that additional $180 increase had gone through in 2007, there would have be en no request for increased funding in FY ‘08/’09? Unlikely-we’d see the same  hand-wringing about the budget.

Back to “pizza and a beer.”

One man’s pizza and beer is another family’s six (or more) doctor visit co-pays. (ed. note: bolding mine)

Or another person’s two dental check ups, because some folks don’t have dental insurance. Or it might be a couple of grocery bills for a family of four, who don’t generally get a chance to go out for pizza very often. Or for many retirees it’s two months of Part B Medicare payments. $15 per month may not be much, but to some it pinches.

Demeaning the tax increase by suggesting it’s merely a”pizza and beer” per month is like TV commercials that hawk elder life insurance policies by suggesting that it only costs 50 cents a day! That’s still $180 per year! Whenever a marketer uses “per month” or “per day” cost, watch out; there is something you should be paying attention to, most likely your wallet.

Paying taxes is a citizen’s duty and responsibility. No right-thinking pers on can argue otherwise. However, it is also the county’s duty and responsibility to spend our tax dollars as effectively and efficiently as possible. We need to focus first on how we are spending current revenue before considering any increase in taxes, “pizza and beer” increases included.”"

I’d like to link to a Daily Progress article from the last time assessments were done in Albemarle County, but apparently they’ve never written about David Slutzky (but they’re working on it).

Daily-Progress-Deleted-All-Their-Archives-1

* the “Alliance” is an arm/derivative of the local Republican Party; while I don’t subscribe to strict partisan efforts, I think that in this case, they have a point worth sharing.

More on Albemarle County assessments at a previous post.

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March 31, 2008 | Filed Under Affordability, Albemarle, Politics | 6 Comments 

A GREAT MLS stat for today

In the Charlottesville region*, there are 484 properties that are currently under contract or pending. Of these, 184 were on the market for fewer than 30 days (per the “continuous days on the market” tag of our MLS which is supposed to account for crafty Realtors trying to game the MLS). Nearly 40% of new sellers “get it.”

Of course, there are still 2354 properties on the market, 20% of which have come on the market in the past 30 days (42% have been on for longer than six months, and 11% more than one year)

* Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Nelson

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March 29, 2008 | Filed Under Market statistics | 1 Comment 

Turn out the lights tonight

Google’s doing it, so it must be ok.

google - turn out the lights - Charlottesville

Turn off your lights at 8pm EDT - It’s symbolic and probably won’t really save much energy, but right now, every nickel counts (and it’s probably not too bad for the environment). Step outside, look at the starts and enjoy a beverage.

More at cVillain.

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March 29, 2008 | Filed Under Green, Off-topic | Leave a Comment 

Richmond has Google Street view

Could Charlottesville be next?

March 28, 2008 | Filed Under Technology | Leave a Comment 

Building a home in Belvedere

Follow the experience of buyers who are building a house in the Belvedere community off of Rio Road.

Searching-For-A-Buyers-Agent-In-Belvedere-Contact-Jim-Duncan

A sampling:

Stonehaus has very much impressed me with their commitment to reaching all their goals. I think it is a most unusual development firm, one that is forward thinking and a pioneer in urban development. I had reservations about getting involved with this project, and I have tested this company in a few ways (you can ask them!). But I am convinced of their integrity and am joining them to make their dream (and mine) come true.

I’ve written before that Belvedere is one of the only new developments in the region about which I am excited by what they are doing. If they can successfully implement their plan

Belvedere is just as much a way of life as it is a place to live. Subdivisions have amenities. But here ideas, possibilities and public spaces are woven into the urban fabric and ecosystems that make up Belvedere. The result is a healthy and full way to live. And a lot of great stuff that you can walk to.
…
EarthCraft certified homes,  LEED certified buildings, A walkable neighborhood. Organic farm and pocket parks. These are the ways Belvedere is starting its life as a sustainable community. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.

(and I expect they will, with input from great clients such as mine) - it should be a great place to live.

More on Belvedere here.

Developments couldn’t pay for better marketing and exposure than what they are getting from Home at Belvedere.

Disclosure - the author of the blog is a client of mine, and I am invested in their having a great experience today, tomorrow and for their time in the Charlottesville area; I am truly grateful for all that I have learned from them so far.

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March 27, 2008 | Filed Under Albemarle, Charlottesville, Green | 6 Comments 

“Won’t budge on the price”

That they got David Lereah as an expert … I won’t even go there. The rest of the story is indicative of the problems in the housing market - some sellers are stubborn.

March 27, 2008 | Filed Under General Real Estate | 2 Comments 

Charlottesville is #9

In Forbes’ list of “Best Places for Business and Careers.” Interesting that they list our “Metro Area Population” as 191k - “Charlottesville” is more than the City, folks.

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March 26, 2008 | Filed Under Charlottesville | 1 Comment 

I can’t make it to RETech South

But at least I’ll be able to follow along on Twitter!

More on RETechSouth at their fantastic site.

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March 26, 2008 | Filed Under RE Blogs | 1 Comment 

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