posted by Mike Madison at 4:43 PM /
Karen sent me this image. If you like it, use it.Labels: taxes, TIF, washington park
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Karen sent me this image. If you like it, use it.
3 Comments:
Thanks Karen. Do the school board and township have this?
Mike, I sent the e-mail below to Mr. Feller last week. I encourage others to write to Mr. Feller and the Commission as well.
Karen
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Dear Mr. Feller,
Thank you for providing a link to voice our concerns regarding the current TIF proposal.
I did speak at the meeting on Monday night. I was not my most eloquent. I know how difficult it is for the commissioners to hear Johnny come latelys to the process. So I appreciated their indulgence.
I have been involved in advocacy in other areas for the past few years and apparently not paying attention to my own backyard.
I learned about the TIF program through an interfaith group I belonged to. It was established as an incentive to help rebuild the decaying urban infrastructure in order to revitalize the tax base and to promote redevelopment of brown fields to avoid the perpetuation of urban sprawl. I am sure none of this is news to you as a municipal manager.
What I truly have a problem with is the usurping of this incentive. I believe our moral compass is askew when we as an upper middle class community entertain utilizing this program. We need to help those communities that truly qualify for this, not be in competition with them. There is no contest, who wouldn’t want to build here? I am appalled that we would allow a firm to hold us hostage to build here with out benefit of a tax incentive. Look around you; this is one of the most beautiful communities ever. I have lived here my whole life and could live anywhere I wanted.
It is unethical and morally unconscionable to allow a TIF in Mt. Lebanon or any other upper middle class suburb. How are poor communities ever to rebuild and pay for those most important institutions like quality schools for the education of their children? Are their children not as precious and as deserving as ours? While we fret over how big to build the next swimming pool, children in these communities are in classrooms with inadequate heat, decaying rooms, out of date texts and on and on. (I guess I do have a true soft spot for inequity in education. I imagine I wouldn’t be so opposed to the TIF if my dollars were spread more equitably, but since there not I must object.)
We have an opportunity to send a message here. We care. Vote NO to TIF
Thanks
Karen Zoller
Mt Lebanon is TIF-ing 1.71 acres at a cost of $647,000 per acre.
All properties below $647,000 assessed value can now be BLIGHTED by the Commission and School Board. How many residential properties in Mt Lebanon are assessed above $647,000?
e-mail me for the answer at john.ewing1@verizon.net
John Ewing
904 Lovingston Dr
Mt Lebanon, Pa. 15216
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