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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Inside Genesee shared Archie Bailey: The McArthur Letter's post.
4 hrs ·
Archie Bailey: The McArthur Letter
July 12 at 9:14 PM ·
The McArthur Letter
by
Archie Bailey
"Pay attention Genesee County taxpayers...three (3) millage requests are on the August 7th primary election ballot...two renewals...one tax increase..."
(Facebook post: 7/12/2018...please read and SHARE...)
The Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) is requesting approval of a RENEWAL (no new taxes) of their current operating millage. Under the leadership of MTA director Ed Benning and his capable staff, the nationally recognized MTA does an excellent job providing services to every community in the county. The McArthur Letter recommends a YES vote on the renewal request.
A second millage request is for RENEWAL (no new taxes) of operating millage for the MSU Extension Program in Genesee County. This program directly services more Genesee County residents than any other single program in the county. Services include everything from the Master Gardener program to a variety of programs for children, youth, family and volunteer development programs including 4-H, nutrition and food safety plus a variety of environmental programs. Excellent leadership within the department. The McArthur Letter recommends a YES vote on the renewal request.
The third millage request, a tax increase, merits close voter review.
At the April 23 Board of Commissioners' meeting commissioners were presented with an agenda item identified as "Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage." Commissioner Nolden moved approval of the Resolution in favor of the new tax increase. Commissioner Ellenburg seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Commissioner Cousineau argued strongly against putting the tax increase request on the November ballot. A roll call vote was taken to adopt the Resolution seeking a tax increase for "the Arts" millage to be placed on the November ballot. Voting for the motion were: Brenda Clack, Ellen Ellenburg, Kim Courts, Mark Young and Drew Shapiro. For some unknown reason Commissioner Nolton, the maker of the motion, abstained.
Therefore, the "Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage" request will be on the August 7th ballot. The Board's action cannot be reversed. This tax increase request merits close review. Who could be opposed to "Arts and Culture" especially in Genesee County. Undecided voters will likely say: "well, I'll just wait until I get in the voting booth and read the proposal for the details." No, you won't. The ballot language is 91 lines long and runs the entire length of the ballot !
What voters need to know now, in advance, is that this paragraph is buried right in the middle of the 91 lines quote: "If this new additional millage is approved and levied, revenue will be disbursed to Genesee County for appropriation by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners. It is estimated that $8,775,654.56 will be collected in the first year." Period.
That language should terrify Genesee County taxpayers. Especially the sentence: "for appropriation by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners." Appropriating that approximately $8,000,000 will be the same board that planned to quietly slip $50,000 from the Department of Veterans Services (without consulting Director Jeanne Thick) for some future PGA Tour. The benefit to veterans? A free ticket for entrance to the event. Veterans protested at a commissioners' meeting effectively killing the venture...9-0.
County residents recently received a flashy campaign mailing urging a "yes" vote on the tax increase. A disclosure on the edge of the piece identified the sender as: "Paid for by Citizens for a Better Genesee County, (address), Fenton, MI 48430." The piece stated: "This is a different kind of millage. If you are a Genesee County resident - all children and adults will receive FREE ADMISSION [committee's emphasis] to the Sloan Museum, the Flint Institute of Arts and Deep DISCOUNTS [committee's emphasis] to The Whiting, Capitol Theatre, Longway Planetarium and other activities." All for $8,000,000...the first year.
There are plenty of unanswered questions. And on a further note: on May 24, 2018 a person entered the county clerk's office and presented staff with a check for $2,500 to cover campaign committee fines imposed on the Citizens Committee for a Better Genesee County. The clerk's office did not include the name of the "Authorized Agent" who paid the $2,500 fine. For more information on the Committee go to: genesee.mi.campaignfinance.us/ See if you can figure it all out. Your comments are welcome.
The McArthur Letter strongly recommends a NO vote on the "Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage."
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The McArthur Letter LLC |
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Sun Jul 22, 2018 6:24 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Genesee County Republican Party
53 mins ·
On August 7th, you will be asked to support an $87,000,000 Art Institution Millage. The Genesee County Republican Party believes art institutions should be funded by private donations and service fees, and not by property taxes imposed on home and business owners. All the art institutions who would receive money if the millage were passed are worthy of support and important to the community. We hope they all have continued success, but we disagree with their effort to raise funds by imposing a tax on Genesee County property owners. |
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Mon Jul 23, 2018 1:44 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Terry Bankert
10 hrs ·
#Flint #Genesee If there had been more lead time, a recognized FCCC leader out front with well prepared public case statement taken county wide no questioning voices may have been raised. But this was not the case until now. We had in charge a hired gun promoter. One Hired Guy. This employee caused us to question the most esteemed institutions and people in Genesee County. From the required approach to the Genesee County Commissioners , through the intense politics of expanding the original ballot language stumbling into a campaign designed to have the public not understanding the millage language in the ballot nor understanding the property owners will pay $87,000,000 plus dollars over ten years. Renters will pay $0. After intense social media challenge just recently at the last minuet details are released. What are we to think. The memorandum of understanding must become a contract or vote against this millage. The County Commission and the reciepients must committ to regular scrutiny of how the receipients use our tax dollars by an Arts Ombudsman or Millage authority. To the reciepients you caused this confusion,correct it. Arts are important to all of Genesee County. Our region needs an important Cultural Center serving the entire county. If we want new major business they bring families expecting a vibrant cultural center. Our children county wide deserve quality found in a vibrant Art Education Center and venues of Cultural Enrichment. I want to vote yes. The reciepients must in a very short time convince this community they can be trusted.Prove it. We are in this predicament because the organizers of this millage effort though esteemed in other areas Politically are as dumb as a bucket of rocks. @terrybankert former Flint Ombudsman |
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Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:20 am |
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