Comments on: No Levy, No Range, No Problem?

By: Mr. Hall

Mr. Hall — Fri, 04 May 2007 01:43:46 +0000

Let’s take up a collection for citizenofmanassas. I’ll pitch in $1,000 (seriously) if he’ll just stop bitching and whining about everything for a few months. Do you care about your community at all? And, if so, how do you demonstrate it? I hear that there are some counties in North Dakota with really cheap taxes… nirvanas, no doubt.

By: Mr. Hall

Mr. Hall — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:57:32 +0000

OK, I’m getting long-winded… but I just noticed the earlier posting by citizenofmanassas, which criticizes the investment in the George Mason Performing Arts Center just outside of Manassas…. my friend, you can’t see the forest for the trees. Assuming that your prime objective is low taxes… the best and most effective way to reduce your taxes is to attract quality commercial development that places a relatively small burden on public services relative to residential development. How do you do that in an advanced, knowledge-based economy? You do it through quality of life infrastructure and investment. We could fund the cost of our local schools completely if we had a Google, or a Microsoft or another capital-intensive employer within the city’s boundaries. What the employees of these companies want (people who are smart, wordly, educated, and wealthy) is public infrastructure that meets high international standards. If we had enough high quality commercial development in Manassas, possible only if we invest heavily in cultural resources, then ‘citizenofmanassas’, conceivably, could in the future pay only a tiny portion of what he now pays in taxes. Then, alas, all would be well with him, and he would have less cause to demand of the rest of us that we live equally bleak lives.

By: Mr. Hall

Mr. Hall — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:31:26 +0000

Greg L… You’re right. I got overheated. It’s just that when I read all of the high minded comments here, clearly coming from a tiny sliver of the the political spectrum (though, I’m guessing a rather broader spectrum economically), and then look practiacally at the amount of money that’s being fought over ($100,000 for the museum, $1,000,000 to hire police officers, $1,600,000 for a public safety firing range), one can hardly come to any other conclusion that the chest beaters are either poor or selfish. It just amazes me how the same group that frets over the decline of the United States, that has been cheer-leading for trillion dollar costs of the Iraq war, and which shakes its fist at the cheapening of our culture… is actually willing to invest so little in it. If any of your bloggers had been to China lately, or Ireland, or India… they would have such a profoundly different view of the World and understand that their utter focus on consumption and husbanding all wealth to their own pursuits is a recipe for disaster for the United States in every dimension. It might seem funny to globalize your hour hostility toward good local government to a broader discussion of our country’s place in the World… but the problem is that there are so many people like you across the country who are whistling past the graveyard. Our biggest global competitors are channeling vast resources toward intellectual, cultural and social improvement… and it is a demographic and economic certainty that the U.S. will enjaoy a smaller and smaller slice of the global pie. We only compete if we are demonstrably better qualitatively. You guys seem to fail to recognize that saving $100, $200 or $1,000 a year might give you a little extra cash to spend at Dollywood… but failing to invest those amounts in our community, in Manassas, accelerates the decline in your property values, the dumbing down of your children (as their education suffers, thereby diminishing their economic and social prospects), and weakens our civic society, culture, and ultimately our national security. You guys are just plain cheap. I mean, if you earn over $50,000 a year, why do you care so much that building a public safety firing range is going to cost you $50.00. And if you really care about community, about your families, and about our nation, how can you sqeal so loudly about what you’re paying for public schools, when, in reality, you pay such a small portion of the overall cost anyway. Tell me where I’m wrong here. You guys are the ultimate self-gratifying cry babies.

By: Greg L

Greg L — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:35:26 +0000

Tudor Hall, what in the hell is your problem? What does your class warfare rhetoric have to do with ensuring our local police officers have adequate training facilities?

You need help, my friend.

By: Mr. Hall

Mr. Hall — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:08:21 +0000

Oops, I left out the selfish of the higher socio-economic strata (in addition to the poor). Manassas, unfortunately, has an extraordinary concentration of poor people, over-extended middle class types (into which we can lump most of the recent immigrants) and the selfish rich… united only in their complete hostility toward civic virtue and the common good. For what most of you guys pay for 3-5 packs of cigarettes per day, Manassas could be transformed into a suburban utopia

By: Mr. Hall

Mr. Hall — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:01:52 +0000

If Manassas had less poor people this would not even be an issue. How do we have less poor people is the real question?

By: anon

anon — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 16:54:52 +0000

And, by the way:

A 2005 J.D. Power customer
satisfaction survey compared
our results to the 78 largest electric utilities in the United
States and NOVEC finished second by a single point to Duke
Energy in the southern region. Our score of 108 was well
ahead of the industry average (99) and bested both Dominion
Virginia Power (101) and PEPCO (100).

By: anon

anon — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 16:50:17 +0000

I lived in Manassas several years ago and for a 4 to 5 month period we lost power once a month, during the day, with clear weather.

When I called the Manassas utilities department to find out why, they blamed it on squirrels in the substation.

You know, that could explain maybe one or two outages in clear weather, but a string of 4 to 5 of them? I guess Manassas had a plague of suicidal squirrels.

As far as Novec, this is what they say on their website:

“NOVEC’s service reliability is the best in the region with a 99.989% average system reliability in 2005. This translates to an average outage time of just over one hour per customer per year.”

That mirrors my experience. I can’t even remember when the last power outage we had was. My cable TV is far more likely to go out than my power.

Oh, should I mention the graffiti on point of woods power transformer enclosures that Manassas utilities somehow ignored for 4-5 years? Yea, I know–”You should have called them about it”. Maybe I will, it’s probably still there.

By: citizenofmanassas

citizenofmanassas — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 15:05:15 +0000

NC,

Before living in the City, we lived in the County and had novec, in six years we lost power once. In 5 years living in the City, we have lost power once. I’d say that is a pretty good record.

One of the things I hate the most is when someone says well, “you could live in so and so, they pay much more…” That might be the case, but that does not mean we should just roll over and allow any rate as long as it is just below the cost of the other named place.

I’m not saying just because you said it NC, but it was pointed out in the Journal Messenger article about the rate increase.

By the way the Washington Post reported the budget as proposed by the Council is up 8.5% over last year’s budget. That budget was up if I recall correctly, 9.5% from the year before. 18% over two years…. To think some people don’t have a problem with that….

By: neighboring citizen

neighboring citizen — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 14:42:39 +0000

Anon, I think you really should check your facts before you make broad statements like NOVEC has better service than the City. The City has far fewer power outages per capita than NOVEC and since My brother works at NOVEC I know most NOVEC employees will tell you that the City power distribution system is run about as frugile as it can and is far better off than NOVEC’s system. I believe the City is in the business because it gives the City the opportunity to have control over such an important item.

citizenofmanassas, you could always move to MP where they pay well over a $1.00 per $100 or real estate tax rate. The current proposed rate increase will actually give you a small tax decrease. Nothing is free and while admit there are things that could change, I think both Manassas and MP are both run pretty well, less and except MP’s shady council going after an honest business man (but that is for another post).

By: Big Dog

Big Dog — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:47:19 +0000

Anon,
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not their
own set of facts - Manassas electrical service, on average,
is cheaper and more reliable than NoVec - that is a fact.
(Plus, without their own utilities, Manassas would not have
Micron - they are the largest
employer and tax payer in the city.)

By: anon

anon — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 03:57:03 +0000

I never did understand why the City of Manassas is in the electric power generation and distribution business.

Particularly since I think Novec does a better job of keeping the power on.

By: citizenofmanassas

citizenofmanassas — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 02:44:10 +0000

Boy, I guess I have touched a nerve. So sorry that you and like minded tax and spenders hate to be challenged. How often do we have brown water, or foul smelling water? But no matter, well just keep tossing money down the drain. Because there is no way to keep costs down.

While we are at it, why don’t we give the school board a blank check.

Or better yet, why don’t we just turn over all of our money to the Council, and let them decide how much we should get back. I have no doubt they could come up with a million new things to spend the money on. And, I have no doubt you would defend every single penny they spend.

By: Big Dog

Big Dog — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:50:27 +0000

Citizenofmanassas,

I would like the cost of gas to stop climbing and
may write a caustic blog posting about the guy who
manages the service station at the corner — think it
would help? It is, of course, all his fault.
Manassas utilities are operated as an “enterprise
fund” - and, to stay solvent, must pass through cost increases
that are often beyond their control. For example,
when the UOSA (sewer plant) cost rise then the city
billing has to go up- and Manassas is mandated by the Feds
to use UOSA. Another need is the necessity
of keeping pipes in good shape - rainwater seeping
in cost the city the same as waste water - it is far
more prudent to maintain the integrity of the system
than pay overcharges to UOSA for excess use.
Really think you should run - perhaps with
some like others - and form a privy council.

By: citizenofmanassas

citizenofmanassas — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:29:04 +0000

Big dog,

We have seen a steady increase in how much we pay for the utilities over the last few years. I would like to see a year go by without an increase. I suppose there is not a single penny wasted or that is not needed in the entire City budget? Any defender of big government will tell you that.

The Freedom Center is far different from the Arts Center. The City does not have any such facility, yet we do have our own production company, yes small, and there are other options close by.

By: Big Dog

Big Dog — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 13:08:00 +0000

CitizenofManassas,
Nobody questions the right of citizens to question
their government and the decisions that it makes. It
is simply my hope that individuals attempt to learn
about an issue before they vent.
You took a swipe at utility cost - OK, what would
you change? Not treat the water? Ignore state
mandated improvements of the damn? Not fund
UOSA increases? Defund electrical equipment
maintainence? What would YOU take out out of the
budget?
Another swipe - Google “Manassas Performing
Arts Center” - read the information and then let us
know if it is a horrible mistake. In my opinion,
it is an item that reasonable people can disagree
on, but there was and is a strong case for Manassas
to support this venture. The Freedom Center at GMU
was questioned much the same way - and it has
turned out to be a great plus for the community.
Also note that the average Manassas resident
lives far closer to the GMU campus than the average
PW resident, AND required large private donations must
be in place for construction to even begin.
I know the council welcomes citizens to its
meetings - and if you really want to “look under the
hood”, work sessions are a good place to start.

By: AWCheney

AWCheney — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 04:50:03 +0000

Just give it another year COF, and there’ll be LOTS of foreclosed McMansions available throughout the area.

By: citizenofmanassas

citizenofmanassas — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:04:40 +0000

We might just move.

By: citizenofmanassas

citizenofmanassas — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:03:16 +0000

Big Dog,

I attend many of the meetings the City Council hold, though not usually the work sessions, but the public hearings.

I suppose you are fine with your taxes going up every year, and the cost of utilities as well? So sorry I had to bring up the fact we are not getting a lot for the taxes we pay. But, I suppose I should just keep my mouth shut, as to not disturb the tax and spenders we have and their supporters.

Did you have a problem with Mr. Hughes proposing eleven new positions for the City last year? How high do you think the tax rate would have to be if all eleven positions were passed by the Council? Yet, one year later, when the City was going to take in about the same amount of money as last year, the Council has to raise taxes. That was according to the Messenger. To me that does not add up.

Just allowing taxes to continue to rise without objection, is not a smart thing to do. Just look at the many States in the Northeast, and California. People living there are subjected to a high number of taxes, and rates. At this point, it is a lost game attempting to gain control of taxes in those areas.

Is that what you want for the City? Is it smart to have an “oh well” attitude? Or, it is better to question what our elected officials are doing with our money? And, it does not matter if one runs for office or not, as a taxpayer and a voter, I have every right to make my voice heard.

I’ll give one example where the City Council screwed up. The new performing Arts Center that will be built in the City. The Council agreed to help fund it, in hopes of what? Once that Center goes in, do you think the City will gain any economic benefit from it? Do you think people will eat in the City before driving out to the center? Yet, does the County assist the City in obtaining a public access point to Lake Manassas? Nope.

By: anon

anon — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:01:11 +0000

“Citizen of Manassas, I have a great idea, Why not move!!”

Yep, and when you do, just make sure to sell your house to a guy who will let 20 illegal aliens live in the basement.

That appears to be what they want here.