Letters to the Editor 11-28-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Property Tax - Open On Holidays - Veterans Program - Gay Marriage - Restaurant Week - Kindness Of Strangers - Job Well Done
Property Tax
Editor, Times-Union:The property tax is the most difficult tax to comprehend. There has been a lot of talk in the media lately about the property tax situation in Indiana. Some of the issues regarding property taxes can be confusing, and I would like to help clarify some of your frequently-asked questions.
Property taxes fund the majority of local government operations. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, local government relies upon property taxes for almost 90 percent of its tax revenue. These taxes pay for a variety of services, including teachers' salaries, school buildings, parks, police and fire protection, libraries, poor relief and other municipal and school functions. In Indiana, state government receives less than one-tenth of a percent of all property taxes collected.
Some citizens believe that the property tax is outdated and unfair to those who have to pay it. Historically, property taxes have funded local governments in the United States since the mid-1800s. Back then, ownership of property was a better indicator of a person's wealth. More property meant more wealth. It was fair to tax a person's land because it was more representative of how much money they earned.
Today, fairness is not so clear. Ownership of property is not always an indication of how much wealth a person has and certainly not indicative of the person's income and ability to pay taxes.
This most recent reassessment evaluated land based upon market value. The Supreme Court ruled that the previous method of reassessment was unfair to homeowners because homes with similar values were assessed differently.
Some citizens have recommended moving toward a system based more on a citizens' ability to pay, such as a higher income and sales tax. No tax is popular, and especially not the income tax, which has not been well-received by the public in the past when it was proposed. Increasing the sales tax also may create more problems because it is not based on one's ability to pay and hurts low income people the most. And right now, an increase of two or three pennies on the sales tax is not enough to make up the billions needed in order to eliminate the property tax.
One of the reasons that the move toward elimination of the property tax is difficult for governments is that it is a very stable form of revenue. In times of recession, such as the last several years when citizens' income levels were lower, sales and income tax collections decreased and the state has had trouble funding essential government programs and services.
Legislators want to help those with high property tax bills. In the 2002 special session, the legislature raised the sales tax a penny and dedicated all of the money to property tax relief for homeowners. Currently, one-third of the state budget goes toward property tax relief, dedicating more than $3.6 billion a year. What else can be done?
We will be working in the next few weeks to solve those problems that can be fixed immediately. We'll continue to explore ways to reduce the reliance on property tax and work toward solutions that reflect the concerns of all citizens across Indiana. However, there are no easy answers.
Kent Adams
Indianapolis
Open On Holidays
Editor, Times-Union:Answer to Darrell Miller letter - Not just holidays off, but Sundays too.
Maybe the reason is that people in general do not plan well, so they just hop in the car and go get whatever. If customers stopped shopping on holidays and Sundays, some store profits would go down. Maybe they would close for holidays and Sundays.
Next time you need something on a holiday or Sunday, think, "Do I really need it now or can it wait till later?" Are you just trying to find something to do or going for a walk?
Stay home and be family-oriented.
J. G. Wells
Warsaw
Veterans Program
Editor, Times-Union:The Veterans Day Program was great again this year. The old courtroom was small and crowded but those attending weren't complaining - they weren't there for comfort; they were there to honor all veterans that day. We know our veterans have been in smaller places! The speaker, Ray Compton, was very inspirational. The choir did a supreme job singing a salute to all our veterans. As always the WCHS band was great! These young people are fine examples of what our future citizens will be. The American Legion firing squad were at their best also. Thank you all!
Most of all we'd like to thank all veterans who have or are walking the streets of Warsaw, Baghdad, Korea and all around the world protecting our freedoms and the freedom of other people in other countries. To those men and women who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice, we thank all of you! You POW/MIA veterans, you are not forgotten!
Sandy Hubler
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 49, Warsaw
Gay Marriage
Editor, Times-Union:I thoroughly support your editorial in the Saturday edition Nov. 22, and congratulate your willingness to express your views. The matter of same-sex marriage is just the tip of the iceberg facing our society today.
I recommend the book "The Homosexual Agenda" by Alan Sears and Craig Osten, published by Broadman and Holman, Nashville, Tenn., 2003. It gives documented full coverage to the issue.
James Marshall
Winona Lake
Restaurant Week
Editor, Times-UnionWe, at United Way of Kosciusko County, would like to thank the BoatHouse, Penguin Point (all Warsaw locations and Syracuse), American Table, Barbee Bar & Grill, Arby's (US 30 Warsaw and Detroit Street), Fuji House, The Great Wall and The Barbee Landing for participating in this year's Restaurant Week.
We appreciate your participation with our first restaurant week showing your commitment to our community. Thank you for your support and contribution and we enjoyed seeing restaurants use their marquis to display community signs promoting this week.
United Way also would like to thank the community members who supported these restaurants during Restaurant Week. Without your support, this campaign would not have been successful. Thank you again to all who participated in making this year's Restaurant Week Campaign a success.
Executive Director Patricia Coy and staff
United Way of Kosciusko County
Kindness Of Strangers
Editor, Times-Union:On Nov. 20, 2003, due to a minor family crisis, I was in transit to pick up a very ill child from college. I stopped at the Village Pantry on Ind. 15S to get fuel and use the pay phone to contact her before leaving town.
To the gentleman in the store who gallantly handed me his own new phone card, and to the Village Pantry clerk who offered and then allowed me to use the store phone ( as the public phone was in use) - I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude. As I made my three-hour drive down to Terre Haute that night, I reflected on this. In life, there are times when those we most depend upon let us down, or leave us out in the cold.
We can become very embittered about the state of human nature during those periods, feeling that too many people live for themselves at the expense of others, and a few, sadly, even rejoice in an empty life fulfilling their own whims and desires. But when we receive these unexpected acts of generosity of spirit from total strangers, humanity seems much less bleak. The simple touch of kindness is felt more keenly.
To those at the Village Pantry that night, thank you for your kind words and deeds. But more greatly, thank you for the reminder that the essence of human spirit is not self-centered oblivion, but rather one of reaching out, of compassion and looking first to the needs of others. I hope that I can pass the cup someday to another who needs the same reminder. Thank you again.
Leanne Coffman
Warsaw
via e-mail
Job Well Done
Editor, Times-Union:It was pouring down rain the other day and I saw the leaf cleaners raking leaves into their big vacuum. Then anytime on a Tuesday when I dread getting out in the cold or wet or heat I get reminded how pitiful my complaint is ... because down the alley comes the garbage truck. And when I don't feel like weeding or mowing or doing general yard work, I see our parks people and city people at work keeping Warsaw clean and pretty. There isn't a prettier cemetery anywhere than here and why is that? People who take care of it.
Yes, we pay taxes to have all these services, but do we really appreciate the people who do the work? Even more, there isn't a day goes by we don't hear police sirens and fire sirens. Those guys and gals put their lives on the line 24/7. How about the EMT/paramedics?
We have a lot of service-giving people around us each day who deserve our praise and thanks for a job well done. Thanks, all of you, for having a servant's heart. For us who take all of this for granted, well, we should be sure to thank one of those servants the next time we see them at work. I've already written about the salespeople, greeters, cashiers, waiters, waitresses, cooks, courthouse staff, license branch staff - all of these people daily serve us to make our lives better. Thanks, all of you!
Phyllis L. Barger
Warsaw
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- Property Tax - Open On Holidays - Veterans Program - Gay Marriage - Restaurant Week - Kindness Of Strangers - Job Well Done
Property Tax
Editor, Times-Union:The property tax is the most difficult tax to comprehend. There has been a lot of talk in the media lately about the property tax situation in Indiana. Some of the issues regarding property taxes can be confusing, and I would like to help clarify some of your frequently-asked questions.
Property taxes fund the majority of local government operations. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, local government relies upon property taxes for almost 90 percent of its tax revenue. These taxes pay for a variety of services, including teachers' salaries, school buildings, parks, police and fire protection, libraries, poor relief and other municipal and school functions. In Indiana, state government receives less than one-tenth of a percent of all property taxes collected.
Some citizens believe that the property tax is outdated and unfair to those who have to pay it. Historically, property taxes have funded local governments in the United States since the mid-1800s. Back then, ownership of property was a better indicator of a person's wealth. More property meant more wealth. It was fair to tax a person's land because it was more representative of how much money they earned.
Today, fairness is not so clear. Ownership of property is not always an indication of how much wealth a person has and certainly not indicative of the person's income and ability to pay taxes.
This most recent reassessment evaluated land based upon market value. The Supreme Court ruled that the previous method of reassessment was unfair to homeowners because homes with similar values were assessed differently.
Some citizens have recommended moving toward a system based more on a citizens' ability to pay, such as a higher income and sales tax. No tax is popular, and especially not the income tax, which has not been well-received by the public in the past when it was proposed. Increasing the sales tax also may create more problems because it is not based on one's ability to pay and hurts low income people the most. And right now, an increase of two or three pennies on the sales tax is not enough to make up the billions needed in order to eliminate the property tax.
One of the reasons that the move toward elimination of the property tax is difficult for governments is that it is a very stable form of revenue. In times of recession, such as the last several years when citizens' income levels were lower, sales and income tax collections decreased and the state has had trouble funding essential government programs and services.
Legislators want to help those with high property tax bills. In the 2002 special session, the legislature raised the sales tax a penny and dedicated all of the money to property tax relief for homeowners. Currently, one-third of the state budget goes toward property tax relief, dedicating more than $3.6 billion a year. What else can be done?
We will be working in the next few weeks to solve those problems that can be fixed immediately. We'll continue to explore ways to reduce the reliance on property tax and work toward solutions that reflect the concerns of all citizens across Indiana. However, there are no easy answers.
Kent Adams
Indianapolis
Open On Holidays
Editor, Times-Union:Answer to Darrell Miller letter - Not just holidays off, but Sundays too.
Maybe the reason is that people in general do not plan well, so they just hop in the car and go get whatever. If customers stopped shopping on holidays and Sundays, some store profits would go down. Maybe they would close for holidays and Sundays.
Next time you need something on a holiday or Sunday, think, "Do I really need it now or can it wait till later?" Are you just trying to find something to do or going for a walk?
Stay home and be family-oriented.
J. G. Wells
Warsaw
Veterans Program
Editor, Times-Union:The Veterans Day Program was great again this year. The old courtroom was small and crowded but those attending weren't complaining - they weren't there for comfort; they were there to honor all veterans that day. We know our veterans have been in smaller places! The speaker, Ray Compton, was very inspirational. The choir did a supreme job singing a salute to all our veterans. As always the WCHS band was great! These young people are fine examples of what our future citizens will be. The American Legion firing squad were at their best also. Thank you all!
Most of all we'd like to thank all veterans who have or are walking the streets of Warsaw, Baghdad, Korea and all around the world protecting our freedoms and the freedom of other people in other countries. To those men and women who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice, we thank all of you! You POW/MIA veterans, you are not forgotten!
Sandy Hubler
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 49, Warsaw
Gay Marriage
Editor, Times-Union:I thoroughly support your editorial in the Saturday edition Nov. 22, and congratulate your willingness to express your views. The matter of same-sex marriage is just the tip of the iceberg facing our society today.
I recommend the book "The Homosexual Agenda" by Alan Sears and Craig Osten, published by Broadman and Holman, Nashville, Tenn., 2003. It gives documented full coverage to the issue.
James Marshall
Winona Lake
Restaurant Week
Editor, Times-UnionWe, at United Way of Kosciusko County, would like to thank the BoatHouse, Penguin Point (all Warsaw locations and Syracuse), American Table, Barbee Bar & Grill, Arby's (US 30 Warsaw and Detroit Street), Fuji House, The Great Wall and The Barbee Landing for participating in this year's Restaurant Week.
We appreciate your participation with our first restaurant week showing your commitment to our community. Thank you for your support and contribution and we enjoyed seeing restaurants use their marquis to display community signs promoting this week.
United Way also would like to thank the community members who supported these restaurants during Restaurant Week. Without your support, this campaign would not have been successful. Thank you again to all who participated in making this year's Restaurant Week Campaign a success.
Executive Director Patricia Coy and staff
United Way of Kosciusko County
Kindness Of Strangers
Editor, Times-Union:On Nov. 20, 2003, due to a minor family crisis, I was in transit to pick up a very ill child from college. I stopped at the Village Pantry on Ind. 15S to get fuel and use the pay phone to contact her before leaving town.
To the gentleman in the store who gallantly handed me his own new phone card, and to the Village Pantry clerk who offered and then allowed me to use the store phone ( as the public phone was in use) - I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude. As I made my three-hour drive down to Terre Haute that night, I reflected on this. In life, there are times when those we most depend upon let us down, or leave us out in the cold.
We can become very embittered about the state of human nature during those periods, feeling that too many people live for themselves at the expense of others, and a few, sadly, even rejoice in an empty life fulfilling their own whims and desires. But when we receive these unexpected acts of generosity of spirit from total strangers, humanity seems much less bleak. The simple touch of kindness is felt more keenly.
To those at the Village Pantry that night, thank you for your kind words and deeds. But more greatly, thank you for the reminder that the essence of human spirit is not self-centered oblivion, but rather one of reaching out, of compassion and looking first to the needs of others. I hope that I can pass the cup someday to another who needs the same reminder. Thank you again.
Leanne Coffman
Warsaw
via e-mail
Job Well Done
Editor, Times-Union:It was pouring down rain the other day and I saw the leaf cleaners raking leaves into their big vacuum. Then anytime on a Tuesday when I dread getting out in the cold or wet or heat I get reminded how pitiful my complaint is ... because down the alley comes the garbage truck. And when I don't feel like weeding or mowing or doing general yard work, I see our parks people and city people at work keeping Warsaw clean and pretty. There isn't a prettier cemetery anywhere than here and why is that? People who take care of it.
Yes, we pay taxes to have all these services, but do we really appreciate the people who do the work? Even more, there isn't a day goes by we don't hear police sirens and fire sirens. Those guys and gals put their lives on the line 24/7. How about the EMT/paramedics?
We have a lot of service-giving people around us each day who deserve our praise and thanks for a job well done. Thanks, all of you, for having a servant's heart. For us who take all of this for granted, well, we should be sure to thank one of those servants the next time we see them at work. I've already written about the salespeople, greeters, cashiers, waiters, waitresses, cooks, courthouse staff, license branch staff - all of these people daily serve us to make our lives better. Thanks, all of you!
Phyllis L. Barger
Warsaw
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