HOW I SEE IT: State Theatre bailout? No thanks.
Published: October 24, 2009
Our elected town officials want to invest $1.5 million of taxpayer money to renovate the State Theatre. Our town government needs a wakeup call to remind them that they were elected to represent all of the residents of Culpeper.
With well over 100 home foreclosures, the local food bank writing to request donations and many people out of work, surely our elected representatives can find something better to do with $1.5 million taxpayer dollars than patronize the arts.
For openers, they can begin by rolling back some of the 28 percent tax increase they gave us when they also gave themselves a generous pay increase. Reduction of the town taxes would benefit all town property owners. Remember, this is the same town government that quibbled for months about making $30,000 in repairs to our well-used local skateboard park. Incidentally, isn’t the town planning a new law enforcement facility?
Does anyone remember when Culpeper was placed on water use restrictions because the town’s water supply is not large enough to adequately serve the current population in times of even a minor drought? Why not enlarge the town’s water reservoir and reactivate the town wells that have been placed out of service with some of the $1.5 million so we have enough water.
I recently received my county tax notice. The notice was accompanied by a letter requesting contributions for the county library, animal shelter, local schools, parks and recreation, and human service’s children’s programs. Of these needs, the ones that bother me the most are the local public schools and children’s programs.
Our town government recently created a huge issue over furnishing water to the public schools. In my humble opinion, Culpeper County’s public schools should never receive a water/sewer bill from or pay tap fees to the town of Culpeper for any services to the county’s public schools. Certainly other local financial needs could be mitigated by some portion of the $1.5 million the town government is so willing to donate.
There is a profound lack of compassion for others being displayed by those governing our town. The bankrupt value judgment now being contemplated by our town government with regard to $1.5 million funding for the State Theatre renovation indicates there is a dire need for “change” locally.
Please remember these issues the next time you vote for mayor and members of the Town Council.
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Reader Reactions
Patefacio - The original letter complained about the Town and their water policy towards the County. That makes this fair game - and not a metamorphosis. Read all my posts on this letter and the letter before selecting my last post to question.
Nuclear seems to think we in Town don’t pay county taxes. ie he asks -“how many of the kids of town residents have been educated in the County’s public schools?
I am not saying my taxes are too low - but I am not interested in subsidizing the County further by giving the school system free water and sewer that I have to pay for.
There’s the metamorphosis again. What’s the relationship between schools and a request for $1.5mil. Brewer: Not sure where you’re going. Town dwellers also pay county taxes. The county government funds the schools. Got an issue, take it to the supervisors. Or are you suggesting we should pay more to the schools?
Same house, assessed value doubled, tax the same as ten years ago. Review your tax returns
Nuclear - How narrow minded?
If the kids lose over money - it is because the County and State do not give them enough money, or the School Board and County Supervisors do not choose to spend it wisely.
The town not providing FREE water and sewer at the expense of their customers is not the reason. Nice try tho.
patefacio: If your town taxes haven’t gone up in the last two years, either you have moved to a much cheaper house or you no longer live in Culpeper.
Brewer: Over the past 22 years, how many of the kids of town residents have been educated in the County’s public schools? You clearly cannot differentiate between the bickering cronies that sit on the BOS, the bickering egocentric cronies that sit on Town Council and school kids. In the long run, the kids are the losers because there is a direct correlation between the funds available to a school system and the quality of the education they can deliver.
patefacio: This is not about grinding axes, this is about burying the hatchet. Why do you think the Town Council spent tens of thousands of dollars to keep from combining the town and county governments?
Well said patefacio.
I just couldn’t let the water deal go without letting my feelings on it be known. The bruhaha the original letter writer mentions was not caused by the Town either. It was casued by the County deciding they did not want the meter at the school. They wanted to be treated different from every other customer, with a master meter at the Town limits, so they can resell taps and make profit off of the Town’s water.
I love watching the metamorphosis some stories take on. Like kids playing “telephone”. From what I’ve read so far, the State Theater has, albiet audaciously, asked for help with their project; but no money has changed hands nor been promised by the town. Suddenly there’s shrill condemnation and vindictive letters. Can’t someone just write: “Dear Council, I think the money could be better spent elsewhere.“; and skip the axe grinding.
BTW, tax hike? Nonsense. My tax bill was less than $300 last year. Ten years ago, with my house assessed at half of what it is today, it was higher! The tax rate has been steadily going down. This year it will be the same, unlike the county. And I like what I’m getting for my $300. Quit your bellyaching.
Why should the schools get free water and sewer?
School kids, teachers, and administrators all live in town or something?
The schools in the County could get free water and sewer, maybe, if the County would get off their duffs and do something. Instead they have stalled for three years knowing there is a 2010 deadline for sewer construction. Why are they stalling? Because they want to steal what I have invested in for more than 22 years, and what many other Town residents have invested in for much longer. Namely, the Town’s water and sewer system.
When the town said “water authority for land” one Supervisor said “That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard.“ Another comment out of that group - “The Authority already exists. The question is, does the Town want to join it?“
We in the Town pay the same rate of taxes to the County coffers as you in the County. You now suggest that I should pay more for my water and sewer so the Schools can get it for free? Take a hike.
As for who votes how - go the Council Meetings. There is no ID check at the door and they are free to attend.
Now, I think I’ll go to one of the many County Parks and hike one of their nature trails - or maybe I’ll go to the public pool for swim. Decisions, decisions.
I am apalled at this suggestion. We have countless residents suffering from the economic crisis that could use any help they can get. Preserving history is important, but ensuring the present and future of the living should be 1st and foremost.
And they are terrified of upsetting the illegals.
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