Archive for September, 2009
Thanks for voting
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009Jeff Allebach said it and i agree.
Friday, September 18th, 2009“We didn’t build the districts to keep any council members’ jobs,” Allebach said. “We built this according to the wishes of the voters.” Allebach hopes district elections will encourage new blood on the council, and new interest in political office. The West Volusia Beacon, June 15, 2009 Section: News Page: 1A
Now when Jeff said this in an interview there was no election being contested. When Jeff said this he probably didn’t mean he wanted new blood on the council this soon. But maybe I’m wrong and he agrees with me.
I agree that new blood and political interest is just what we need in Orange City. Bill Crippen, Gina Holmes and Anthony Pupello represent new blood and have a keen interest in the future of Orange City. (more…)
Paul RAScH votes for taxes, fee increases and water fee increases
Thursday, September 17th, 2009Voted to raise the cost of water by placing a $4 per account charge and a 25% surcharge on water use.
Voted to place the cost of garbage service on residential tax payers as a non ad valorem tax placed on the property tax bill annually.
Voted to raise the fees charge by city government to citizens by rate of 50 to 500 % depending on the fee.
Voted for a 16% tax rate increase and the 2009-2010 budgets. Second vote to be held on September 23, 2009 one day after the election.
This is in just less than 6 moths on council.
Source is online audio and public records of the City of Orange City Florida
Gary Blair votes for taxes and water rate increase
Sunday, September 13th, 2009Gary Blair during his tenure on the Orange City Council voted to increase water rates and fees. Voted to impose taxes on utilities and to allow for them to be increased by resolution of city council. So your electric bill could go up by council voting once on the increase. These taxes are still in effect and the water rate could go up at any time, particularly with Gary on the council.
Resolution 15-00 5/9/2000 Voted yes to increase rates on water service
Ordinance 99-08-01 8/10/1999 8/24/1999 voted yes twice on taxing electric bills by 10% for all users and provides for the option to increase this tax by resolution at any time in the future.
Ordinance 78 5/14/2002 5/28/2002 voted yes twice for taxing bottled or metered gas sales by 10% for all sales within the city and to increase the tax by resolution.
Source of this information is public records of the City of Orange City
Using someone’s name without permission in campaigning
Saturday, September 12th, 2009I received a campaign flyer on Thursday evening with a short list of people endorsing of Paul Rasch featured in it. In America we can endorse who we want to and support those we think best qualified and that’s the beauty of our country.
However one of the names Mr. Rasch is listing on his materials is Evelyn Robinson. Evelyn is a campaign supporter of Mr. Bill Crippen who is running for the at large seat in opposition.
Mrs. Robinson told me she did not authorize the use of her name, and that she would contact Mr. Rasch about this.
Another name on the endorsement list is Orange City Council person Tom Laputka. I spoke with Mr. Laputka about this and he confirmed his previously stated position that he is endorsing all six candidates for the three offices up for election and that he is not endorsing anyone over another.
People who are willing to run for elected office and those that volunteer to campaign for them are not served well by this behavior, and niether are the people of our country.
Taxes went up and down and stayed the same depending on whether your spending or paying.
Friday, September 11th, 2009On Tuesday night the city manager said that taxes are not going up under the budget he has brought forward. He can say this because from his point of view taxes are not going up. His point of view is revenue to spend.
From the tax payers point of view this is false. The rate of taxes went up from $4.48 per $1000 of access value to $5.1953 per $1000. That is an increase of 16% but it generates no more revenue.
Residential tax payers as a group had a tax increase, but commercial tax payers had substantial reductions. In the commercial area i checked a few properties and found a reduction of 20 to 33% in the valuation. (more…)
City manager lost grip on truth after ending negotiations with Gel Corp
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009City manager Chester Murray ended negotiations with Gel Corp about two months ago, but kept telling people that negotiations were complete and all he needed was a signature on the one remaining document to end an on going legal snare. He ended the negotiations with one of his out bursts of temper. No deal was reached. (more…)
Oakhurst Home Owners think Orange City Manager is all wet
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009Oakhurst home owners association met at Dickinson Memorial Library on Wednesday night, September 2nd. The invited guests were the city manager and candidate for council Mr. Bill Crippen. Mr. Murray brought an entourage of city employees. Mr. Crippen brought his ears.
Mr. Murray began the meeting by insisting that Mr. Crippen not be allowed to participate in the meeting. It was a fine example of Mr. Murray’s insensitivity to citizens. Mr. Crippen sat in the audience and listened to the citizens concerns, speaking to those that stayed throughout the meeting after it was over. (more…)