Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
How long will it take?
So many new faces taking office this week or soon thereafter. Their positions or seats won by promising to represent the will of the people; to do away with all the overspending in progress now; and to return freedom to the people of the United States. How long will it last?
How long before the first lobbyist reminds a senator or representative of that campaign contribution that helped get him elected? How long before a lobbyist promises a contribution to ensure re-election? How long before the "let's make a deal" starts and the campaign promises and the constituents are thrown to the wind?
The one thing I have been told or heard by elected officials consistently is "but you don't understand; you don't know how it is." It seems so easy to make promises, plans, and set up objectives that one or two months down the road don't mean a hill of beans. Politicians forget the constituents and grow on the power and the people they are now exposed to and have the ear of. It all comes down to power and control and no matter who is elected or what they promise, power and control take over and they are no longer interested in the wishes or thoughts that put them in office. Friend or foe, it doesn't matter - they are the important ones now and they are making the decisions.
One warning - elections come often. Tread carefully. Now more than ever before the American people are watching and are no longer apathetic to what is going on in their government whether it be local, state, or federal.
Just some thoughts, so until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
How long before the first lobbyist reminds a senator or representative of that campaign contribution that helped get him elected? How long before a lobbyist promises a contribution to ensure re-election? How long before the "let's make a deal" starts and the campaign promises and the constituents are thrown to the wind?
The one thing I have been told or heard by elected officials consistently is "but you don't understand; you don't know how it is." It seems so easy to make promises, plans, and set up objectives that one or two months down the road don't mean a hill of beans. Politicians forget the constituents and grow on the power and the people they are now exposed to and have the ear of. It all comes down to power and control and no matter who is elected or what they promise, power and control take over and they are no longer interested in the wishes or thoughts that put them in office. Friend or foe, it doesn't matter - they are the important ones now and they are making the decisions.
One warning - elections come often. Tread carefully. Now more than ever before the American people are watching and are no longer apathetic to what is going on in their government whether it be local, state, or federal.
Just some thoughts, so until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Local government
After attending a local Board of Commissioner's meeting last week I am prompted to put to paper a few observations. I am not an economics guru nor a political science professional, but I do possess a little common sense.
First, if the community wants services they must be willing to pay the taxes to fund the services. Second, there are state laws that require local government to fund certain services and positions and the local government does not have a choice on whether to comply. The county also has the legal obligation to financially support the authorities and agencies that are developed and designated by the county commissioners. Therefore it becomes most important to not be frivolous in establishing authorities or agencies the county cannot support and to also retain some control over such to ensure limited liability to the county government.
If the people of the county want manned fire departments in the four zones of the county, they must be prepared to fund those departments through increased taxes. On the other hand, abuse of the tax payer's funds is illegal and unethical. Tax payer money is not there for use by the board of commissioners or agency heads to use as they see fit. The commissioners are elected to represent the people of the county, but the people have the responsibility to ensure the commissioners perform in a legal and ethical manner. Many counties have citizen oversight committees and others have citizens responsible enough to attend meetings and remain cognizant of how their county is run.
The county budgets are requested by the agencies or departments and approved by the commissioners and once funded should be closely adhered to. Any excess should be returned to the county coffers and not squandered on non essentials. Emergency situations occur and must be handled accordingly.
There is a misconception that the tax assessor's office and the tax commissioner's office set the taxes. The tax assessor's office assess the value of the property and ensures uniformity of assessments in the county and the tax commissioner's office collects the taxes for the county. Taxes are based on 40% of the fair market value of the property. The tax digest is a compilation of the assessed value of real and personal property. The millage rate is attained by dividing the budget by the assessed value of property or the tax digest. This is done by the board of commissioners not by the tax assessor or the tax commissioner.
There is so much duplication in services within the city and county. A consolidated government would benefit the citizens greatly and do away with such duplication and result in a streamlined operation with maximum benefits to the residents.
Just a few of my thoughts and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
First, if the community wants services they must be willing to pay the taxes to fund the services. Second, there are state laws that require local government to fund certain services and positions and the local government does not have a choice on whether to comply. The county also has the legal obligation to financially support the authorities and agencies that are developed and designated by the county commissioners. Therefore it becomes most important to not be frivolous in establishing authorities or agencies the county cannot support and to also retain some control over such to ensure limited liability to the county government.
If the people of the county want manned fire departments in the four zones of the county, they must be prepared to fund those departments through increased taxes. On the other hand, abuse of the tax payer's funds is illegal and unethical. Tax payer money is not there for use by the board of commissioners or agency heads to use as they see fit. The commissioners are elected to represent the people of the county, but the people have the responsibility to ensure the commissioners perform in a legal and ethical manner. Many counties have citizen oversight committees and others have citizens responsible enough to attend meetings and remain cognizant of how their county is run.
The county budgets are requested by the agencies or departments and approved by the commissioners and once funded should be closely adhered to. Any excess should be returned to the county coffers and not squandered on non essentials. Emergency situations occur and must be handled accordingly.
There is a misconception that the tax assessor's office and the tax commissioner's office set the taxes. The tax assessor's office assess the value of the property and ensures uniformity of assessments in the county and the tax commissioner's office collects the taxes for the county. Taxes are based on 40% of the fair market value of the property. The tax digest is a compilation of the assessed value of real and personal property. The millage rate is attained by dividing the budget by the assessed value of property or the tax digest. This is done by the board of commissioners not by the tax assessor or the tax commissioner.
There is so much duplication in services within the city and county. A consolidated government would benefit the citizens greatly and do away with such duplication and result in a streamlined operation with maximum benefits to the residents.
Just a few of my thoughts and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
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