City of Presidents

Quincy Center Revitalization love it or hate it?

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Fred LaCorte
Filed Under News | 3 Comments

Well with my last Blog I suggested Fresh Idea’s and new investments> What I got for the most part was a flurry of comments about the “Streetworks Project” This is an old Idea and not where I was going. Seeing that there is so much interest, let’s discuss it.

First let me say that I went to the ledger’s site and read about this project. The info refers to a study done for Streetworks regarding the impact to Quincy and Mass. In it it states that it will create 4300 new permanant job’s and bring in 10 million dollars in tax revenue. Mayor Koch goes on to state in this that it is going to cost the City $200 million dollars.That the 10 million dollars will be used to pay for the loan of 200 million dollars, and the City will net around 2.4 million.

First off, these are all figures that are presented by the one who stand’s to gain the most(Streetwork’s) and should be looked at in a subjective manner. The city supposedly had an independent consultant review this for the city. Is there anyone who is Truly independant. Do we really believe that Mayor Koch or any Mayor for that matter would try to spin this any way but favorably?

Mayor Koch says $200 million however can we believe that. Construction isn’t to begin for 3-4 years. Costs will go up. By then 300-400 million. This is what happened to the Big Dig. Proposed at 2 billion come in at 15 billion and still counting. He states that we would net 2.4 million dollars a year after paying back the loan. How long is this loan? When will we be able to utilize the 10 million for City coffers? How true are the figures of 10 Million dollars? Is this 10 Million new tax dollars? In other words what is the net gain in tax revenue the city will realize.( what do we get now Vs. the 10 Million, may only be 5 or 6 Million dollars and now we have the taxpayers paying back the loan and a negative net gain.

There was also an intersting post as well;

March 17th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | One comment

By Ledger, on March 17th, 2009

March 17th, 2009 | Tags: Develop Quincy

Interestingly enough still raises alot of questions for me. Aren’t the taxpayer’s entitled to a true unembelleshed report by a true non interested party? Can we still realize a 10 million dollar net gain in tax revenue in these uncertain times.Some people have reffered to this as a 50/50 gamble.

If I asked you to give Me $100.00 and you had a 50/50 chance of making $200.00 and gave you no more info would you invest?

Comments deleted

Posted on July 1, 2009 by Ken Johnson
Filed Under News | 14 Comments

We’ve decided to remove an exchange of 10 comments by Milo B. and several people critical of his post asserting that former Mayor  William Phelan lost his temper at the  Quincy Sun and the Fruit Basket. We were reluctant to take them down until we heard from one of the principals, Sun publisher Robert Bosworth, denying that the incident occurred. We want to provide a place for readers to discuss the campaign without injecting ourselves into the middle of ever disagreement, but given the choice in this case between the account of someone who was present and  an anonymous commenter citing an anonymous source, we chose the former.

The Crystal Ball…

Posted on July 1, 2009 by Joe Lowry
Filed Under News | 2 Comments

Driving around the city today I took a drive down Adams & Franklin Streets. I must say the crowds gathered outside the Adams’ houses were pretty strong. Of course it got me thinking that how nice it is to see that our great city is on display and that some revenue is coming in albeit a small one. Which in turn got me thinking yet again about my tax bill? I have to tell you it has made me a bit uneasy with regards to the city and what and where are my actual tax dollars going. That’s the question I have been asking myself since I received my 15 percent increased tax bill. What I really want to know is why? Exactly what does my tax bill cover? So then it was off to the City of Quincy’s website to see how and what my tax money does for this city. This lead me to the assessors website and then I found the mass.gov website which listed a “at a glance report” for Quincy. This site contained a bit more information in regards to local services and so forth. But the trend I did notice was that home values have decreased and tax revenue’s increased. In tough economic times homeowners are left scratching there heads. There saying “If my home is worth less now than why am I paying more in taxes.” So far the answers I am seeing is that the government is basing there property assessments for the future. It’s what your property or home will be worth in the future. This of course started to give me a headache. All of a sudden the government has a crystal ball and predicts my home or property may be worth more in the future? I know this falls in line with Business Economics 101 but I mean were talking serious tax dollars here. What I do see is that this election is really going to boil down to the taxes in this city. It’s on everyone’s mind. It’s on the news, radio, internet & in print. The budget, the deficit, taxes. This city is looking to revamp Quincy Center. I just read that the city is seeking a grant to hire a consultant to see how they can revitalize Wollaston’s business section. Our schools need attention as well. Streets and sidewalks are being neglected. So let me look into my crystal ball and see….Where will all this money come from to make this city great again?

Fresh Ideas,and New Investments

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Fred LaCorte
Filed Under News | 15 Comments

 I was intrigued with the debate spurred by my last Blog. So while this was fresh in my mind I thought I would throw it out there.

I see that the people in Braintree have their own power plant which helps reduce the tax base and the utility bills. Hull has two windpower generators and are planning a third. I believe that Quincy should be looking at using Stimulus Money and Money from the State in the new (Green Initiative) to plan and build 2-3 windturbines. We can do this along our seashore areas and in the Quarries. Quincy could also build our own LNG fired Power plant. All this can cut the electric bills for the City, reduce residents utility bills and sell power to the grid reducing our taxes. This could all be financed through a bond ultimately being a positive net gain for the City and it’s tax payer’s. We need candidates that will come up with fresh new ideas that will be positive financial gains for the city. This new Billion dollar private investment for the Quincy center revitalization plan is going to cost us money and prove to be a negative net gain. Let’s get some better idea’s.

The any candidate but these two will do.

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Fred LaCorte
Filed Under News | 22 Comments

As I sit here and reflect on Why Tom Koch won the mayor’s race,two years ago,I hold in my hand a pamphlet from the ‘Koch for Quincy” campaign. On the cover it says” Honest leadership, Investing in our schools, Restoring fiscal responsibility.” This pamphlet goes on to state “No increase in property taxes in the upcoming fiscal year”

There are other things in this pamphlet,too many to discuss in one blog. So let’s first reflect on why Koch won 2 years ago. Former Mayor Phelan had a track record of increasing taxes every two to three years. As I recall we had three major tax increases during his administration. People were fed up with him. Then voted for the reform candidate who promised no increase in taxes. Then reneged  on that pledge.

So let’s look at his cover on the pamphlet that says”honest leadership”

I ask does honesty come from breaking a promise then blaming the guy before you for not funding contracts that you negotiated? I don’t think so, what do you think? Does “Leadership” mean “Restoring Fiscal Responsibility” by taking the easy road and increasing taxes? Of course Mayor Koch can bolster about no increase this year, It is an election year. He knows that would be counter productive to his campaign. The way I see it two candidates with the same track record on taxes, but different approaches to taxation with no real reform.

The big question here is can’t we get anyone else? I do believe that any candidate other than these two would win. It is too bad that we could not get someone less affluent, some one that is in touch with the people, and for the peolple.