City Balance Sheet Dilemma! Blake Proves Worse Than Richetelli

FACTS DO NOT LIE! Milford Republicans prove themselves as less irresponsible than Milford Democrats. The Graph below demonstrates that when it comes to eroding the city balance Sheet, Mayor Ben Blake has topped all previous records held by the previous kleptocrat Jim Richetelli. The city is not yet bankrupt because we still have more assets than liabilities, but we are well on our way with Blake "the snake." I predicted some years ago that under the present trends the city would be in big trouble around 2014 at the latest, because that is when (under the present trends) Milford would have depleted its entire asset base. Every good accountant will tell you that when you have more Liabilities than assets you have a negative net worth or in other words you are bankrupt. This makes borrowing more difficult and creditors grow concerned about a responsible plan whereby the city can balance not only its budget but its books. This often results in a massive spike in property taxes, credit downgrades and a decline in services. The future of Milford looks bleak with this administration we may want to think about a change come next election. 

To see the graph click the link:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/roccofrank.milfordindependents

Milfords New Mill Rate Decreased To 28.23

Milford's Mil Rate was once 34.36 according to a 2005 George J. Smith assessment today that number has decreased to the above mentioned 28.23 Mill Rate. This figure is listed at the town website tax assessors link proving that conditions now exist that are pressuring the number downward.

Some have clamored that this is merely an election year ploy to make the incumbent leadership look good, while others believe that the 2005 assessments are not indicative of the true value of properties today. But to set the speculation and conjecture aside what is really going on is the Mill Rate is merely leveling out. While most experts could debate the actual growth of the grand list, one thing we all agree on is that mill rates decrease with increases in property values. This is why Connecticut's wealthiest towns like Greenwich, Darien, and Westport have recognizably low Mil Rates. (In most cases these are in the single digits.)

Milford's affluence appears to have grown, but not happily because with that image or "illusion" comes the unwelcome decrease in state funding to our schools creating the sore topic of an unfair cost sharing formula, but the good news is that average homeowners will be paying a little less taxes this coming year an average of 2.5% less.

Put down the champagne, because this is a Pyrrhic victory. The 2005 re-evaluation was done at the peak of the market only to be followed by a three year bust in real-estate that caused prices to stagnate and in some cases decline. Most residents on or near the water saw staggering 50%-100% property tax increases virtually overnight at the higher mil-rate, now perhaps the give back will render some desperately needed relief.

This decrease is very welcome but only because we have been taxed so excessively hard in the last couple of years due to the false reality of an inflated "bubble" real estate market. In my opinion this decrease falls short and is still slightly out of balance with true and accurate home values. By my personal calculations the mill rate should have been at 26.5. and not 28.23. (Estimate derived from chart above.)

Tax Day Tea Party Coming To Connecticut

The kettle is brewing and about to boil over this April 15Th at a city near Milford. Years of taxation without representation, excessive wasteful spending, looting of our treasury and runaway debt on the backs of countless future generations of children are what is on the hearts and minds of the American people.

Congress and its 9% approval rating, both our state Senators Dodd and Lieberman now publicly despised for their party betrayal and cronyism to banks and the war agenda's are seeing their campaigns in trouble next election cycle.

This WEBSITE (CLICK THE LINK) has at least three tea parties going on in our state. These tea parties are part of a grass roots movement comprised of not one single leader but many brave citizens who are angry and wish to organize their local communities to exercise their First Amendment rights. They ask for our leaders to redress their grievances, and hold accountable those responsible for the tax and debt malfeasance that is undermining America and its ability to prosper and recover from the current Recession and widespread unemployment.

Anyone who wishes to show these organizations their support should visit the link listed above and participate in what is a PEACEFUL NON-VIOLENT PROTEST, this is how a successful protest works and all those wishing to participate should express their views with with signs, handouts, a megaphone or something that does not result in injury to another individual.

Milford's Vanishing Elderly

The 2000 U.S Census showed Milford as having 7,796 persons 65 years and older living in Milford however that number has been in a bit of a decline. Recently I learned from the 2008 Connecticut Economic Resource Center Data sheet that the numbers reported for the 65 and older crowd were off. down to 7,622. On the surface this does not look like a dramatic difference, but when its put in a percentage to the rest of the population the number of "65 and overs" shrunk amid a steadily growing population.

Milford's population in 2000 was 52,305 with 7,796 people over age 65. In 2007 that number changed to 53,874 with 7,622 "65 and overs". While I recognize that these numbers do no show a concrete trend, I must point out that we appear to be developing inverse growth here in Milford. Most concerning is that this trend is occurring during a period that is supposed to show "Baby boomer" growth. Milford is not only unaffected by the "Baby Boomer" trend, but rather seems to be dodging it altogether. These numbers must be watched more carefully into 2008 and 2009, as Milford continues to raise its property taxes, energy costs continue to remain high and relief of any kind remains unavailable to Milford's poorest.

Milford is now growing the town with new young blood and is trending toward phasing out the elderly. While I hope this pattern is nothing more than a false alarm I must admit that more needs to be done to ensure the domestic day to day affordability of Milford's finest the 65 and older crowd to remain here in town.

One idea I had to alleviate this problem is to freeze their property taxes until such time as their property is transferred or sold. I believe it is unconscionable to increase the property tax on a senior who is unable or not well enough to vacate their home. I believe the fair thing to do is to defer their property tax increases until such time they vacate or transfer their property.

Seniors are an important part of all communities, they contribute to our tax base and demand little in return from the city as they often have no children in schools. Our town needs to enact proper zoning and planning laws to include seniors as protected and vital to a harmonious tax system capable of sustaining a balanced tax base. No town can tax its way out of economic trouble, but it can foster and encourage zoning and planning laws that balance tax revenues as derived from young homeowners, business, and seniors. I believe that this is the key to taxes and our quality of life, having a harmonious tax base that affordibly, and collectively contributes to fund city services.

Taxes Taxes And More Taxes!

My opponent was surprised by a proposed six percent sales tax on deliveries that has lawmakers scratching their heads.

The new tax would cost businesses like DHL, UPS, or FedEX who deliver packages, letters, documents or even food. The, bill applies to all delivery businesses except restaurants offering take-out food.

The new tax will create an estimated $59.7 million in revenue, and is expected to fund the state PILOT program that reimburses cities for nontaxable property.

Finance Chairman Rep. Cameron Staples, D-New Haven said “The goal of the proposal is to fully fund PILOT... if there’s a better way to find the money to do this he’d be willing to entertain a discussion."

According to an article by Christine Stuart a reporter at CT News Junkie:

"Sen. President Donald Williams, D-Brooklyn, and Speaker of the House James Amann, D-Milford, said the tax, passed last week by the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, was a surprise. “No one is ready to endorse or sign onto it until there’s more information,” Williams said Monday."

If the bill survives passage through budget season — here, “if” is emphasized — it would be a huge coup for cities like New Haven that have a lot of college and hospital property."

Hopefully, our representatives in Hartford will realize that Americans are overtaxed and that more and more taxes are not the solution to our problems. CT needs to return to the basics of governance through the coming recession. If there is any doubt that we are over taxed watch the following video and then think again.




Click HERE if link fails.