June 2008 Archives

Dear Readers,

Abbott's constituency: his old political allies and friends, longtime residents, and other Keepers of the Flame, suspect that some of the current council and newer, more affluent residents would just as soon airbrush our late, lefty mayor out of the picture. What was up, they wondered, first as the renovated building sat conspicuously unsigned for over two years, then as small signs were posted curbside reading merely "Community Center" or "City of Takoma Park?"

Dear Readers,

This guest post is by Takoma Park resident Alain Thery.

*FACT*: According to a recent MontCo Planning Department housing study, between 1997 and 2005 Takoma Park residents experienced the highest increase in homeowners' costs in the County (while at the same time facing the highest decrease in median income).

Could this above average increase in homeowners' costs be related in any way to the sharp increases in property tax rates by the City during that period despite high increases in assessments toward the end of the period? Between 2005 and today, this increase in property taxes was modulated somewhat by a 7% decrease in the rate while assessment during the period rose 30%.

Looking at the 5/27/08 TP Council meeting, it does not look that the Council members in their majority are even aware of the situation that has been created for residents by relentless double-digit annual increases in City budgets approved by past and present Council members.