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Comment on Where else can you find 50 candidates for local office in one place? by Triangle Community Coalition tonight « Taking Responsibility: Matt Drew for City Council

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:45:32 +0000

[...] tonight at the Briar Creek Country Club, along with a lot of other local candidates.� Tickets are still available.� All I can promise is that my speech will be short. Leave a Comment No Comments Yet so far [...]

Comment on It�s true: elections are around the corner by John A. Shaw

John A. Shaw — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:22:55 +0000

Chris,

I agree very much with you on this. Politics is local. It is our local governments –city and town councils, board of education, state legislature, etc. — that have the greatest impact on our lives. It is the county commission and local municipal councils that determine our property tax. The questions and controversies about education are handled by the school board and other local governments. Quality of roads and other infrastructure depends on local government. And I could go on and on.

Regardless of party or political viewpoint, if citizens want to make a real difference they will participate in local government. Voting is a start. But only a start.

Comment on Go West? by John A. Shaw

John A. Shaw — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:10:53 +0000

NC Spin doesn’t say where they heard that Dr. West will likely get the nomination for Dan Blue’s seat. The decision will be made by the Democratic (because Rep. Blue is a Democrat) Executive Committee of the district. That group comprises the precinct chairs and vice chairs, other party officers, and democratic elected officials who live in the House district. That’s probably at least 40 people, with the precinct leaders, not the other party officers, in the majority. I don’t think anyone knows who will be selected at this point. Several people will probably campaign for the job.

By the way, the person selected by the committee will be “recommended” to the Governor, but the Governor is required by law to appoint the person recommended by the committee.

Also, if the vacated seat had been held by a Republican, the Republican precinct officers, party officers, and elected officials would make the decision and the Governor would be required to appoint the person they chose.

Comment on $1 Billion less from Growth by Winston

Winston — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:50:24 +0000

GrowthMatters, I never suggested that the bulk of local government revenues are used to pay for infrastructure for new houses. If new construction is predictable, the fees based on new construction should be predictable. Your comments are irrelevant to my proposal.
Tyler, the property owners who owned property BEFORE the new property began to yield property taxes paid for the infrastructure for the current residents. That is the injustice. If you buy your first house at age 30, you are taxes again and again and again to pay for the infrastructure of those who come after you; not just for your own. If you move to Wake County at age 65 and buy a house and live until you are 75, you are only taxed 10 years. The 30 year old buyer who lives to 75 is taxed for 45 years. I don’t understand why you don’t understand.
Winston

Comment on Mr. Obama, impact fees and jobs by John A. Shaw

John A. Shaw — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:11:35 +0000

Tyler,

I believe in fairness. I will be supporting several tax increases that apply to me, and tax decreases that will not help me.

As for the impact fees, I would support a retroactive increase that applied to my house. I don’t like paying more in taxes, but I will support my share and I do not support any tax increase that does not apply to me.

John Shaw

Comment on Mr. Obama, impact fees and jobs by Tyler Craddock

Tyler Craddock — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:02:10 +0000

John,

One question. Since you seem to love impact fees so much, was one paid when your home was built? If not, don’t you think you should pay one just to be fair?