Hello Harford County Citizens!
This Fourth of July, while you are enjoying time with your family, join your fellow citizens in Downtown Bel Air for a celebration of American Independence and remembrance of the Founders of the great United States! Come re-declare your Independence!
Come and speak your mind on an open microphone. Tell your story about America and the great opportunities that it provides all citizens.
Let’s fight for the right to prosper in this great nation! Let’s fight for fair taxes and a great place to live for our children and grandchildren.
We will be gathering at 9am at 220 S Main Street in Bel Air. We will be in the parking lot of the Harford County Government Admin Offices across from Looney’s Pub and the County Council Chambers.
We are going to have singers from local music groups (to be announced later) and a great lineup of events and speakers!
Tell your friends and family members, and let’s make this a great success! Forward it along your email chains, and print the attached flyer and put it up at work! Check out the website at http://www.harfordpropertytaxrevolt.com/.
Please feel free to call Patrick McGrady at 410-272-0550 for more information or to help!
Thanks!
Patrick McGrady
www.HarfordPropertyTaxRevolt.com
Hurray for Independence Day! Hurray for Fireworks! I’m excited about barbecues!
Due to budget contraints the 4th of july will be scaled back.
My name is and I’m a party pooper.
Maybe the 34 county workers who got canned would like to tell their stories about Harford County and the great opportunities it provides all citizens. Yay! Singers from musical groups–UP WITH PEOPLE! We are the World! Kumbaya!
Only 33 ex-county workers will be able to tell their stories
these fair tax people crack me up. property taxes NEVER pay the full amount in terms of the services people receive.
about 15 years ago someone wrote an excellent editorial in the aegis about it.
problem is … those with all the money and wealth convince those with lesser means that their tax rates are too high.
the result ends up with less taxes collected by those with money and wealth, and those with lesser means that were duped… well they suffer.
33
the one that cannot tell his story was collecting a state troopers pension. taking his own life was his choice. insinuating it was because people are fighting government waste is dishonest.
for the record # 3 is not the real Cdev
W,
Thanks for presenting the facts
Frank,
This is just not about tax payer reform of property taxes.
This is about Citizens, many of us who pay
Federal Income Tax
Social Security (Fica) Tax
Medicare Tax
Sate Income Tax
Local Income Tax
Sales Tax
Gas Tax
Tolls & Car Registrations
Licensing Fees
Telephone Taxes
Water Fees
Trash Collection Fees
AND Property Tax
This is about Politicians in OUR government that have abused OUR Trust and squandered our resources. The Harford County budget speaks for them, $420 Million in 2005 and $610 in 2009, a 45% SPENDING Increase. This is clearly out of proportion with County population, needs, and our ability to pay for it.
There are clear abuses in our local Government in terms of unnecessary positions, underutilzed positions, overpaid positions, excessive benefits, and so on.
Frank, we all see the need to pay taxes to provide services for those that can’t always provide for themselves and to provide basic government for the good of Society.
I’am curious though Frank – if you were in charge of Government – what is total percentage of My income that should be paid to government , 30%, 40%, 50%?
braveheart —
i bet you don’t even know what your EFFECTIVE TAX RATE is, do you?
before you stage your protest… go back and compute your effective tax rate…
you might be surprised… and realize (as i explained before) you are one of the ignorant folk (tools) being used by those who have family incomes well in excess of $100K/yr.
i just did a quick analysis of the maryland state tax rates…
if my memory is correct, those who have to pay tax on $15,000 per year household income is approx 4.2% and those who make up to $1,000,000 per year have to pay tax at a rate of 4.9%.
essentially, maryland already has a flat tax of approx. < 5%, for those earning $5,000,000/yr or more
have essentially a flat tax somewhere in the neighborhood of 5.2%
so there really isn't a graduated state income tax in maryland…
the tax burden is essentially the same … but felt more on the lower income brackets… and those who earn in excess of $1,000,000 … they don't feel it as much.
so when either the state or fed wants to RAISE taxes on those who earn more than $250,000 per year… if you are in the
95% of ALL household incomes in the u.s. (those who earn less than $100k/year
you should be IN FAVOR of it!!
that's right, because it DOESN'T AFFECT YOUR WALLET!
be smart, do the math.
I am tired reading the distorted versions of reality it is nothing more than cruel and heartless bullying.
My friend who took his life was a dear and wonderful soul. Early in his career he was injured in the line of duty as a police officer (not as a state trooper) and as a result he could no longer work on active duty. Since then he pursued his other passion, politics.
He was the type of man who was a friend to everyone and everyone was a friend to him.
You have NO right to cast judgment on him or his life. Losing a job is not only about the money, it is also about loss of pride and self-worth.
I think everyone in this county needs to start showing a bit more compassion for each other and stop being so critical and accusatory.
And yes, I am not afraid to use my name on this blog. I think it is about time everyone else do the same. Maybe it will elevate the level of the conversation.
Sorry Casi, not a trooper but still on a police force and more than likely compensated. His death is beyond sad, but was his own choice. To put it together with government budget cuts is just wrong. Blaming people who want to end government waste is just trying to change the subject.
Lets argue that if someone in the county government had not hired him in the first place, he would still be alive. Trying to make that argument would be as insane as blaming tax protesters for his death.
Joe,
You still just don’t get it. I feel sorry for you.
Good man he may have been, but that is beside the point. There were no accusations against him. It is just a sad story that he is not here anymore.
The problem is when people try to distort the story to make it seem as though his death was anyone elses choice but his own. If it was a loss of pride and self-worth that was at fault, none of us could have helped.
Good people are lost everyday. That is life.
Dear Casi,
I’m sincerely sorry you have lost a friend and that this man took his own life. I was in no way attempting to cast judgement on your friend. It irritates me that others would attempt to associate Government Reformers for his death.
I agree that we should all show compasion for each other. I’ve made it clear that I do feel for any worker that becomes unemployed. Growing up in a Middle class, Blue Collar Family, I have seen my share of family members lose jobs for a number of reasons and worse yet lose their health from private employment.
However, in my case, I truly believe that our Local Government has abused the Public Trust by allowing itself to become inefficient and expensive. I believe our Government at all levels is inefficient and over staffed. I have no beef with individual workers – it is not there fault. Fault lies with Government Leadership and the lack thereof.
It is our Right to stand up for what we believe in. I have presented facts in my discussions. If you believe I have distorted something in any way, I’d be happy to discuss it with you and will be the first to admit something if I’m wrong.
Lastly, in time I will reveal my name. I feel the risk of retribution from Government is too great at this time.
Frank,
This is just not about tax payer reform of property taxes.
This is about Citizens, many of us who pay
Federal Income Tax
Social Security (Fica) Tax
Medicare Tax
Sate Income Tax
Local Income Tax
Sales Tax
Gas Tax
Tolls & Car Registrations
Licensing Fees
Telephone Taxes
Water Fees
Trash Collection Fees
AND Property Tax
This is about Politicians in OUR government that have abused OUR Trust and squandered our resources. The Harford County budget speaks for them, $420 Million in 2005 and $610 in 2009, a 45% SPENDING Increase. This is clearly out of proportion with County population, needs, and our ability to pay for it.
There are clear abuses in our local Government in terms of unnecessary positions, underutilzed positions, overpaid positions, excessive benefits, and so on.
Frank, we all see the need to pay taxes to provide services for those that can’t always provide for themselves and to provide basic government for the good of Society.
I’am curious though Frank – if you were in charge of Government – what is total percentage of My income that should be paid to government , 30%, 40%, 50%?
Wahhhhhwahhhh
I pay too much taxes
Wahhhhhwahhhh
I want all my money
Wahhhhhwahhhh
I don’t want to pay for services.
Wahhhhhwahhhh
Wahhhhhwahhhh
Wahhhhhwahhhh
That is what I hear when I read the idiots who want their taxes reduced.
Bob L
How much in taxes do you pay?
Bob L,
Clearly the L stands for Loser.
Casi,
I’m sorry that your friend is no longer with us. It’s always a damn shame when people don’t get the help they need before its too late.
Everybody else, don’t be scared about government retribution because of your views. Stop with the personal attacks. And if you have nothing valuable to say, wait until you do before you run off at the mouth.
Let’s work together to make our great county a better place. That means working together on building a new budget for next year and making our opinions heard along the way.
You guys that criticize the Tea Parties should come out and see what they are like on the 4th of July. Nobody will harass you if you stop by and see what it’s like. They are very positive events.
Casi: Your stance doesn’t surprise me since your husband is one of Craig’s Cronies. How many Chiefs of Staff or whatever you want to call them, does Craig have? Your husband is one of them so I hope you two can sleep at night knowing his political appointment together with it’s 6 figure salary is causing others so much pain. Yeah, let’s be compassionate toward one another. How about when your husband goes into work one day and is told that he has one hour to clear out his belongings, with a police escort, we’ll see how much compassion you have. Keep milking it baby because your gravy train is over after the next election.
Casi you have to ask your self. where was his Friend’s? the man just did’nt kill his self on a whim. he had problem’s. and no body was listening.
I wish people could see what I see – how the internet and public forums can be an incredible intellectual resource and even ground to peacefully and honestly debate. sadly, it seems that many would willingly sacrifice their potential intelligence on bickering, trash-talk and petty name calling.
I had thought the majority of trolls out there were children or self-righteous 20-somethings. It turns out, the guy who owns the single family home, golden retriever and commutes to the city for work, has similar trollish tendencies – it’s the security of anonymity i suppose, that reveals their true nature.
what exactly IS wrong with wanting to pay less taxes? how is that partisan in any way shape or form?
Elliot nothing is wrong with less taxes and that desire. What is wrong when people irresponsibley demand tham in such a way it is not planned out. It is irresponsible to leave your car at the park and ride and not move it because it is a bill board for your cause.
Cdev,
I believe that’s what the Tax Parties and such are meant to do – create an open dialogue with like-minded individuals, with the hope that a common, reasonable concensus could be agreed upon. It is my understanding that no one expects for a broad, sweeping tax rollback, but merely a transparent and receptive administration, willing to put aside thier personal preferences and idealogies, to hear opposing viewpoints and alternate proprosals. If the dissenters disagree with how the .gov is proceeding, they should be required to offer reasonable alternatives – if given the opportunity.
Doesn’t the HCSO/MSP patrol those lots and tow vehicles that haven’t moved for a certain amount of time?
I agree with that idea but not showing up to any of the public hearings on the budget and then taking the room by storm when the budget was done and you didn’t like it while threating officials and disrupting the meeting of the council until you get your way at the last minute is not the responsible way to do it.
I have found MSP is supposed to patrol the lot from the county police when I called and I have a call into them as this particular vehicle occupied a spot in the park in ride when it was full and several people planned on using it but could not because it was full.
You are right on about trolls. They come in all shapes, ages, sizes and dpolitical affiliations. Go to the Baltimore Sun you can find a biggoted 84 year old grandma who relishes in her dislike for “dirty mexicans” Unfortunately they come in all sorts of groups.
I’ve read these blogs for some time, and not said a word. However, in light of recent events, I belive it is time for someone such as me to add my voice to the forum.
Let me say this first. I am not a “political hire” for lack of a better term. I have seen this and similar phrases used over the last several months. For starters, keep in mind one thing. The vast majority of employees of Harford County Government were there before the Craig administration. I am one of them. I have served under Freeman, Rehrmann, Harkins and Craig – Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, my job responsibilites remain the same – not to the elected leader, but to the citizens that I and all of Harford County Government serve.
I am not a “blue collar” employee. I went to college, studied hard, got my degree and entered the workforce. After gaining years of experience, I saw a position advertised in the Baltimore Sun that fit my experience and career interests. I applied for that job and was hired. Just like any of you were at your job.
My starting salary 20-plus years ago was a little more than 20 thousand dollars. My current salary is about 60 thousand dollars. Factor in the annual rate of inflation as calculated by the federal government, and I earn, in real dollars, about 23,000 more than when I started.
I provide a valuable service to the citizens of this county, and I am compensated. I EARN a good salary. As do the vast majority of my co-workers. Are there those who do not pull their weight? Sure. But tell me honestly that this is not the case in any work environment. Guess what? It pisses me off too – and everyone else there who works hard for their living.
I feel like there is too much more that I could say here right now, but I will hold off. What I want to do is be a voice on this forum that will answer honestly any questions you may have. Any accusations you may have. There clearly is an unrepresented voice on this forum, and I intend to fill that void.
I pay bills, I pay taxes, I shop in the stores you do, I live in the community you do. I also happen to serve you, and do so proudly.
So have at it. I work for you during my work day, and I’ll be here during my personal time. What do you want to know?
County Employee: Thank you for your rational comments about the current situation–citizens vs. county employees. I am not a county employee but I know several and they are as you described–just regular people doing their jobs to the best of their ability and earning their wages. The problem I have is not with these people–it is with Craig’s appointments–those who didn’t have to go through the application and interview process, those who had positions created for them, those making outrageous salaries just because they are friends or family of the county exec. The other problem I have is with county workers who have been identified as not putting in their honest 8 hours a day, those abusing sick leave and other benefits, those thinking they are untouchable because they work for the county, etc. These are the people who need to go but sadly, never will because Craig doesn’t know or care what happens at that level. He just needs to protect his family and friends and the rest of the county be damned. I would like to know how you would propose handling this situation. Surely you can’t go to Craig and say that the next round of terminations needs to be the people who aren’t pulling their weight and those who did not get their positions legitimately. Again, thank you for your perspective from the inside.
County employee. not sure where you work. But the Harford County school system has become subversive in there hireing practice’s. I suppose we could say friends Helping friend’s.
There are people in authority’ who take a camera to work to record the daily Activties of some of our less ambitious Hcps workers. but this has become a ”Clique” and little is said or done. these Activities do not apply to about 90% percent who are doing there job.
Good afternoon, Dagger readers!
The Independence Day TEA party is coming together well. So far, we have patriotic music, speakers that will share dramatic readings of the Declaration of Independence, and our US Constitution. We have invited local civic groups and many will have tables to share info about their groups and hope to have a voter registration table set up, too. This is a non-partisan, all inclusive event. All are welcome and it is free, family friendly and early enough in the day that you can still have a picnic and a nap before the fireworks. Hope to see you there!
What: Independence Day TEA Party
Where: Main St & Rt 1 Intersection, 220 S. Main St, Bel Air, MD
When: 9:00am to 12:00 Noon
Contact: WWW. Harford Tax Revolt.com
Good afternoon, Dagger readers!
The Independence Day TEA party is coming together well. So far, we have patriotic music, speakers that will share dramatic readings of the Declaration of Independence, and our US Constitution. We have invited local civic groups and many will have tables to share info about their groups and hope to have a voter registration table set up, too. This is a non-partisan, all inclusive event. All are welcome and it is free, family friendly and early enough in the day that you can still have a picnic and a nap before the fireworks. Hope to see you there!
What: Independence Day TEA Party
Where: Main St & Rt 1 Intersection, 220 S. Main St, Bel Air, MD
When: 9:00am to 12:00 Noon
For more info: http://www.harfordtaxrevolt.com
My neighbor and I attended one of the earlier hearings (at CMW) to protest the raising of property taxes, by way of assessment and yield. I do not remember hearing anyone there ask for a tax reduction, just not an increase. I do not understand why the county exc and council can’t form a budget without increasing taxes and making the already over burdened tax payer look like the bad guy. HEY GUYS……CUT the PORK and WASTE…..RUN A TIGHT SHIP, that’s what we tax payers are doing.