Comments on: The Park Antics Continue http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/ Blog-Fu for Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park politics. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:42:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: Anonon http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5227 Anonon Sun, 17 Dec 2006 20:38:04 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5227 I know that Connor Center and other business areas can and should be better developed. I am optimistic that the Governing Board and the city manager are pursuing those options. I think the appointment of Mr. Miller, the small businessman, (even though I didn't like the process) was a step in the right direction. I am hoping he can bring his insight to develop a larger business tax base. I know that Connor Center and other business areas can and should be better developed. I am optimistic that the Governing Board and the city manager are pursuing those options. I think the appointment of Mr. Miller, the small businessman, (even though I didn’t like the process) was a step in the right direction. I am hoping he can bring his insight to develop a larger business tax base.

]]> By: anonymous http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5188 anonymous Fri, 15 Dec 2006 03:35:46 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5188 Take a look at Connor Center (Euclid Ave. north of Manassas Drive) with the satellite view at maps.google.com. There is a lot of land in there that is not being used at it's full potential. Dump truck yards and the like. These uses made sense in 1986 but they don't make sense in 2006, since the surrounding areas are now all built out and this heavy equipment must travel that much further to where the construction is happening. If the city can redevelop Connor Center with land uses that provide more of a tax base, it would begin to solve the tax base problem. Take a look at Connor Center (Euclid Ave. north of Manassas Drive) with the satellite view at maps.google.com. There is a lot of land in there that is not being used at it’s full potential. Dump truck yards and the like. These uses made sense in 1986 but they don’t make sense in 2006, since the surrounding areas are now all built out and this heavy equipment must travel that much further to where the construction is happening. If the city can redevelop Connor Center with land uses that provide more of a tax base, it would begin to solve the tax base problem.

]]> By: Greg L http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5184 Greg L Fri, 15 Dec 2006 01:00:11 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5184 My understanding is that Manassas Park gains almost all of it's tax revenues from residential property taxes. Most other localities have more balance between commercial and residential tax bases, which has forced MP to have a relatively high residential tax rate and consistently tight budgets. With social services, education and public safety demands in part stemming from the influx of relatively less well off immigrants the budgetary problem is worsening. Unless MP can develop some sort of decent commercial tax base, the long-term financial picture for it as an independent city is in some doubt. They can't tax their way out of this problem without forcing all of those who actually contribute to move to other nearby jurisdictions where the tax rates are more favorable. And if they tighten their belt to the point where quality of services declines significantly, the same thing will happen. Unless MP can solidify it's long-term financial future, about the only option left is to retrocede into Prince William County. Manassas City can't take the burden, but the county might be able to. Granted, I haven't had the opportunity to really dig deep into the financial picture for MP, so a lot of this is based more on conjecture than hard numbers, but that's my understanding of the situation. I may take some time to start gathering data and do a post on this if time permits. My understanding is that Manassas Park gains almost all of it’s tax revenues from residential property taxes. Most other localities have more balance between commercial and residential tax bases, which has forced MP to have a relatively high residential tax rate and consistently tight budgets. With social services, education and public safety demands in part stemming from the influx of relatively less well off immigrants the budgetary problem is worsening.

Unless MP can develop some sort of decent commercial tax base, the long-term financial picture for it as an independent city is in some doubt. They can’t tax their way out of this problem without forcing all of those who actually contribute to move to other nearby jurisdictions where the tax rates are more favorable. And if they tighten their belt to the point where quality of services declines significantly, the same thing will happen.

Unless MP can solidify it’s long-term financial future, about the only option left is to retrocede into Prince William County. Manassas City can’t take the burden, but the county might be able to.

Granted, I haven’t had the opportunity to really dig deep into the financial picture for MP, so a lot of this is based more on conjecture than hard numbers, but that’s my understanding of the situation. I may take some time to start gathering data and do a post on this if time permits.

]]> By: Anonon http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5178 Anonon Thu, 14 Dec 2006 23:16:29 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5178 As a member of the voting electorate, I am not pleased about the situation between the BZA and the Governing Board. I am even less pleased about people suggesting its unincorporation. What financial problems is the city experiencing? If you know something clouding our fiscal future, I would hope that you would share it with your Manassas Park readers. As a citizen, I love and support this community. First and foremost, I want to see it survive and thrive. I would never, in a million years, want to become part of the behemoth that is Prince William County. If that day ever did come to pass, I would be long gone from here. As a member of the voting electorate, I am not pleased about the situation between the BZA and the Governing Board. I am even less pleased about people suggesting its unincorporation. What financial problems is the city experiencing? If you know something clouding our fiscal future, I would hope that you would share it with your Manassas Park readers.

As a citizen, I love and support this community. First and foremost, I want to see it survive and thrive. I would never, in a million years, want to become part of the behemoth that is Prince William County. If that day ever did come to pass, I would be long gone from here.

]]> By: anonymous http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5165 anonymous Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:23:47 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5165 As far as that shopping center goes, Rack and Roll Billiards is the least of the problems there. I'm surprised there's still even a Radio Shack there. As far as that shopping center goes, Rack and Roll Billiards is the least of the problems there.

I’m surprised there’s still even a Radio Shack there.

]]> By: Bill Meacham http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5162 Bill Meacham Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:42:13 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2006/12/14/the-park-antics-continue/#comment-5162 When I see 'personal' opinions create an agenda to remove a business from a 14 year existence one has to questions others true motives. Basic ingnorant thinking is pool is wasting ones time, is golf not, is tennis, or does it have to be someone thinking their way is better than others. 30% of all high school students do not compete or interact in any competitive or sports activity, what is the school doing about them. They preace how important activities are to the socialization of the individual but only adress current/existing programs. If you ever want to see the true social impacts of billiards, have a party with your office workers where playing pool is part of your gathering. One will find out allot more about their co workers in one hour than they ever realized. We see one dimension characters of those around us, but put them in any competitive situation and their true character surfaces. What feel like is happening hear is "emminent" domain removal of ones enjoyment of something another thinks should be directed in another direction. They are trying to remove tag from grade schools in some parts of the country, what other so called important moves will our bretheren make next. Leave this exisiting business alone and deal with more important issues that life needs attending too. When I see ‘personal’ opinions create an agenda to remove a business from a 14 year existence one has to questions others true motives. Basic ingnorant thinking is pool is wasting ones time, is golf not, is tennis, or does it have to be someone thinking their way is better than others. 30% of all high school students do not compete or interact in any competitive or sports activity, what is the school doing about them. They preace how important activities are to the socialization of the individual but only adress current/existing programs. If you ever want to see the true social impacts of billiards, have a party with your office workers where playing pool is part of your gathering. One will find out allot more about their co workers in one hour than they ever realized. We see one dimension characters of those around us, but put them in any competitive situation and their true character surfaces. What feel like is happening hear is “emminent” domain removal of ones enjoyment of something another thinks should be directed in another direction. They are trying to remove tag from grade schools in some parts of the country, what other so called important moves will our bretheren make next. Leave this exisiting business alone and deal with more important issues that life needs attending too.

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