Comments on: The Natives Get Restless, Finally http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/ Blog-Fu for Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park politics. Thu, 24 May 2012 03:25:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: sahdman http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61619 sahdman Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:21:50 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61619 I just bought a house on the po' side of town. I just sent my appeal in we paid half of the assessed value. We will see how they respond, I sent a copy of the appraisal we got before we closed on the property. I think the city is missing a good opportunity. They need to lower the property taxes to make the city as attractive to new residents as possible and retain the residents it has. Once more people move in and start pushing home prices back up or at least stabilize the market the revenue flow to the government will work itself out. Of course like all levels of government they only take take take and can never wait for the market to work itself out. I just bought a house on the po’ side of town. I just sent my appeal in we paid half of the assessed value. We will see how they respond, I sent a copy of the appraisal we got before we closed on the property. I think the city is missing a good opportunity. They need to lower the property taxes to make the city as attractive to new residents as possible and retain the residents it has. Once more people move in and start pushing home prices back up or at least stabilize the market the revenue flow to the government will work itself out. Of course like all levels of government they only take take take and can never wait for the market to work itself out.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61436 Anonymous Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:20:42 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61436 Losers, again.. It appears the council has already set their minds on 1.24 and not even going to table it as was planned for 4/15 meeting. Screwed again! I think it is time that petition to change to town status is enacted. I will be going to start this by June and hopefully have submitted to city atttorney by September.. Time to go back to PWC and get some relief. WE tried to make them listen but they did not, well now .. They are going to be gone because I know people are fed up and they momentum will be there to get the 15% of signatures needed to to further this action. Am I up to it?? You bet your @ss I am! Good bye Manssas Park City Government, your days are few. Losers, again.. It appears the council has already set their minds on 1.24 and not even going to table it as was planned for 4/15 meeting.

Screwed again!

I think it is time that petition to change to town status is enacted.

I will be going to start this by June and hopefully have submitted to city atttorney by September..

Time to go back to PWC and get some relief.

WE tried to make them listen but they did not, well now .. They are going to be gone because I know people are fed up and they momentum will be there to get the 15% of signatures needed to to further this action.
Am I up to it?? You bet your @ss I am!

Good bye Manssas Park City Government, your days are few.

]]> By: Nice Try http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61131 Nice Try Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:51:18 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61131 I think this about sums it up: http://www.cityofmanassaspark.us/Public_Documents/ManassasParkVA_WebDocs/Actions%20Taken Looks like a blank slate to me..... I think this about sums it up:

http://www.cityofmanassaspark.us/Public_Documents/ManassasParkVA_WebDocs/Actions%20Taken

Looks like a blank slate to me…..

]]> By: K http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61116 K Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:22:53 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61116 For those of you considering appealing your tax assesment- the deadline is April 15th to file it. I'm sure they'll be thrilled with the amount of mail they get this week. They deserve it! For those of you considering appealing your tax assesment- the deadline is April 15th to file it.

I’m sure they’ll be thrilled with the amount of mail they get this week. They deserve it!

]]> By: ddpdrinker http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61013 ddpdrinker Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:02:51 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61013 If you want to check on assessments, go to www.manassasparkva.gov/ and cliick on e-assessments at the bottom of the screen. If you want to check on assessments, go to www.manassasparkva.gov/ and cliick on e-assessments at the bottom of the screen.

]]> By: Also in the Park http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61007 Also in the Park Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:18:25 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61007 Park'd - I'm sure they all still live in their little kingdom, none of them would ever do anything unethical like move out and still be on the council. I'm pretty sure on that side of town the neigborhoods have HOA's and i'd be willing to bet that at least 1 or 2 of the royalty has something the HOA could cite them for, and who knows maybe even something that the city code enforcement could find wrong, that is if they would be allowed to cite the them with fear of being fired. Park’d - I’m sure they all still live in their little kingdom, none of them would ever do anything unethical like move out and still be on the council.
I’m pretty sure on that side of town the neigborhoods have HOA’s and i’d be willing to bet that at least 1 or 2 of the royalty has something the HOA could cite them for, and who knows maybe even something that the city code enforcement could find wrong, that is if they would be allowed to cite the them with fear of being fired.

]]> By: park'd http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61002 park'd Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:32:35 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-61002 Well my point was that I don't get down that way to see said sign. Looks like we are both on the po' side of town then. Viv la revolucion ;) Well my point was that I don’t get down that way to see said sign. Looks like we are both on the po’ side of town then. Viv la revolucion ;)

]]> By: Anon http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60988 Anon Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:34:57 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60988 Park'd - use your head. If I cross the train track to pick up my kid from Cougar, which side of town do I live on? Park’d - use your head. If I cross the train track to pick up my kid from Cougar, which side of town do I live on?

]]> By: park'd http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60984 park'd Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:22:58 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60984 Also in the Park: It might be interesting to see if any of them actually even still live here at all and aren't just renting one of their homes out to someone so they can keep their Lord status over the rest of us. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if one or more of them were slumlording it. Also in the Park: It might be interesting to see if any of them actually even still live here at all and aren’t just renting one of their homes out to someone so they can keep their Lord status over the rest of us. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if one or more of them were slumlording it.

]]> By: park'd http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60983 park'd Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:19:18 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60983 Well that explains it. I live on the west side of town with the po' people. We don't get notified of the comings and goings of government over here. Only you east enders rate enough for a sign. I've been so busy lately that I just forgot, to tell the honest truth. Would have been nice to see a reminder here or God forbid a sign on the west end of town... Well that explains it. I live on the west side of town with the po’ people. We don’t get notified of the comings and goings of government over here. Only you east enders rate enough for a sign.

I’ve been so busy lately that I just forgot, to tell the honest truth. Would have been nice to see a reminder here or God forbid a sign on the west end of town…

]]> By: Anon http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60979 Anon Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:14:17 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60979 Park'd, sign was right by the train tracks. I cross them everyday to pick up my kid from Cougar. Plus, the hearing was mentioned on a little thing called the city's website. I know you have access to a computer... ;) Park’d, sign was right by the train tracks. I cross them everyday to pick up my kid from Cougar. Plus, the hearing was mentioned on a little thing called the city’s website. I know you have access to a computer… ;)

]]> By: Also in the Park http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60978 Also in the Park Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:08:33 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60978 It might be interesting to check the online real estate assesments for the council members and see if their values are in line with the rest of their neighbors. From all the shaddy things they seem to be into I wouldn't be suprised to see a variance there. It might be interesting to check the online real estate assesments for the council members and see if their values are in line with the rest of their neighbors. From all the shaddy things they seem to be into I wouldn’t be suprised to see a variance there.

]]> By: MP Resident http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60974 MP Resident Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:48:45 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60974 Bryan thinks because he's lived in MP all his life he answers to nobody. Bryan thinks because he’s lived in MP all his life he answers to nobody.

]]> By: MP Resident http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60973 MP Resident Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:47:54 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60973 "What does it take to have the status of City removed" The first step is to transition from a city to a town as provided in chapter 41 of title 15.2: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC15020000041000000000000 In particular: § 15.2-4102. Citizen petition for town status. Voters equal in number to fifteen percent or more of the registered voters of the city as of January 1 of the year in which the petition is filed may petition the circuit court for the city, stating that it is desirable that such city make the transition to town status. All of the signatures on the petition shall have been made and filed within a twelve-month period. A copy of the petition shall be served on the city attorney and the county attorney, or if there is none, on the attorney for the Commonwealth for the county and on the mayor of the city and the chairman of the board of supervisors of the adjoining counties. A copy of the petition shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the city and the adjoining county. The case shall proceed in all respects as though instituted in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-4101, and the court shall forthwith refer the petition to the Commission on Local Government for review pursuant to Chapter 29 (§ 15.2-2900 et seq.). (1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.10; 1997, cc. 178, 587.) The city council can also do it: § 15.2-4101. Ordinance petitioning court for town status; notice of motion. A. Any city in this Commonwealth with a population at the time of the latest United States decennial census of less than 50,000 people, after fulfilling the requirements of Chapter 29 (§ 15.2-2900 et seq.), may by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the city, alleging that the city meets the criteria set out in § 15.2-4106 for an order granting town status to the city. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (§ 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title. B. Before instituting a proceeding under this chapter for a grant of town status, a city shall serve notice on the county attorney, or if there is none, on the attorney for the Commonwealth, and on the chairman of the board of supervisors of the adjoining county that it will, on a given day, petition the circuit court for a grant of town status. The notice served on each official shall include a certified copy of the ordinance. A copy of the notice and ordinance, or a descriptive summary of the notice and ordinance and a reference to the place within the city or adjoining county where copies of the notice and ordinance may be examined, shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in some newspaper having general circulation in the city and adjoining county. The notice and ordinance shall be returned after service to the clerk of the circuit court. Certification by the owner, editor or manager of the newspaper publishing the notice and ordinance shall be proof of publication. (1988, c. 881, §§ 15.1-965.10, 15.1-965.11; 1997, c. 587.) The next step (if it needs to go that far) is for the town to anul it's charter: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC15020000037000000000000 “What does it take to have the status of City removed”

The first step is to transition from a city to a town as provided in chapter 41 of title 15.2:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC15020000041000000000000

In particular:

§ 15.2-4102. Citizen petition for town status.

Voters equal in number to fifteen percent or more of the registered voters of the city as of January 1 of the year in which the petition is filed may petition the circuit court for the city, stating that it is desirable that such city make the transition to town status. All of the signatures on the petition shall have been made and filed within a twelve-month period. A copy of the petition shall be served on the city attorney and the county attorney, or if there is none, on the attorney for the Commonwealth for the county and on the mayor of the city and the chairman of the board of supervisors of the adjoining counties. A copy of the petition shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the city and the adjoining county. The case shall proceed in all respects as though instituted in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-4101, and the court shall forthwith refer the petition to the Commission on Local Government for review pursuant to Chapter 29 (§ 15.2-2900 et seq.).

(1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.10; 1997, cc. 178, 587.)

The city council can also do it:

§ 15.2-4101. Ordinance petitioning court for town status; notice of motion.

A. Any city in this Commonwealth with a population at the time of the latest United States decennial census of less than 50,000 people, after fulfilling the requirements of Chapter 29 (§ 15.2-2900 et seq.), may by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the city, alleging that the city meets the criteria set out in § 15.2-4106 for an order granting town status to the city. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (§ 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.

B. Before instituting a proceeding under this chapter for a grant of town status, a city shall serve notice on the county attorney, or if there is none, on the attorney for the Commonwealth, and on the chairman of the board of supervisors of the adjoining county that it will, on a given day, petition the circuit court for a grant of town status. The notice served on each official shall include a certified copy of the ordinance. A copy of the notice and ordinance, or a descriptive summary of the notice and ordinance and a reference to the place within the city or adjoining county where copies of the notice and ordinance may be examined, shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in some newspaper having general circulation in the city and adjoining county. The notice and ordinance shall be returned after service to the clerk of the circuit court. Certification by the owner, editor or manager of the newspaper publishing the notice and ordinance shall be proof of publication.

(1988, c. 881, §§ 15.1-965.10, 15.1-965.11; 1997, c. 587.)

The next step (if it needs to go that far) is for the town to anul it’s charter:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC15020000037000000000000

]]> By: park'd http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60962 park'd Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:44:39 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60962 We are the redheaded step child of PWC so they would have to take us in. Either that or it's wild wild west in this town with no police or rescue services, no school, and mass anarchy on the streets. Hundreds of people in the council meeting demanding answers from Frank and Bryan and Fran (the three trouble makers) would do wonders for this town. 50 is a good start (should have been 51 if I had been paying more attention to home matters) but 100+ would be much better. We are the redheaded step child of PWC so they would have to take us in. Either that or it’s wild wild west in this town with no police or rescue services, no school, and mass anarchy on the streets.

Hundreds of people in the council meeting demanding answers from Frank and Bryan and Fran (the three trouble makers) would do wonders for this town. 50 is a good start (should have been 51 if I had been paying more attention to home matters) but 100+ would be much better.

]]> By: Also in the Park http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60957 Also in the Park Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:14:03 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60957 I can't recall if this has ever been asked in the past or not. What does it take to have the status of City removed, and if the city were to loose it status, would anyone really want us. I can’t recall if this has ever been asked in the past or not. What does it take to have the status of City removed, and if the city were to loose it status, would anyone really want us.

]]> By: MP Resident http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60955 MP Resident Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:05:53 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60955 "I really doubt the council will ever stop spending." Sure they will. I'm just afraid it make take something pretty serious for that to happen, such as a total dissolution of the Park (from city to town to dissolved status; hence no more Park, it'll be PWC then). Bryan Polk in particular seems to have never met a tax or a spending project he didn't like. “I really doubt the council will ever stop spending.”

Sure they will. I’m just afraid it make take something pretty serious for that to happen, such as a total dissolution of the Park (from city to town to dissolved status; hence no more Park, it’ll be PWC then).

Bryan Polk in particular seems to have never met a tax or a spending project he didn’t like.

]]> By: Also in the Park http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60954 Also in the Park Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:59:16 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60954 I really doubt the council will ever stop spending. Once they do the new City Hall and Parks and Rec building, then the public works dept will demand a new place. In addition to the building spree the city also has seemed to be on a vehicle purchase spree the last several years, noticed more than a few new public works trucks, street sweeper replaced, and the leaf vacum machine seemed new this past fall. Speaking of the foreclosures, on the 5 streets I travel daily to leave the park there are 32 foreclosures, 4 on my street, the 3 behind me have been empty for over a year now, and 2 of those were tear downs and then rebuilt. I've been trying to leave this place for almost a year now. I like my house, and the location is extremely convient for my commute to Fairfax, and the neighbors i have are great. But with the foreclosures I am giving up and staying for a while yet, I just can't compete with them. Luckily i bought 15 years ago so i am still ahead of the game, but with the way the values keep dropping i'm not sure for how long. I really doubt the council will ever stop spending. Once they do the new City Hall and Parks and Rec building, then the public works dept will demand a new place.

In addition to the building spree the city also has seemed to be on a vehicle purchase spree the last several years, noticed more than a few new public works trucks, street sweeper replaced, and the leaf vacum machine seemed new this past fall.

Speaking of the foreclosures, on the 5 streets I travel daily to leave the park there are 32 foreclosures, 4 on my street, the 3 behind me have been empty for over a year now, and 2 of those were tear downs and then rebuilt.

I’ve been trying to leave this place for almost a year now. I like my house, and the location is extremely convient for my commute to Fairfax, and the neighbors i have are great. But with the foreclosures I am giving up and staying for a while yet, I just can’t compete with them. Luckily i bought 15 years ago so i am still ahead of the game, but with the way the values keep dropping i’m not sure for how long.

]]> By: Rob Smalls - Part-Time Commenter, Full Time American http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60952 Rob Smalls - Part-Time Commenter, Full Time American Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:41:11 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60952 Park'd - It might not do any good to send the dispute out, but we already know what happens if we do nothing. We'll stay put, right over that barrel the town council has us on. Park’d - It might not do any good to send the dispute out, but we already know what happens if we do nothing. We’ll stay put, right over that barrel the town council has us on.

]]> By: Red, White and Blue http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60949 Red, White and Blue Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:23:49 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/04/09/the-natives-get-restless-finally/#comment-60949 It is hard for politicians to slow spending. It is easy to spend, very hard to curtail. That is no excuse, just the facts. They should hold city hall meetings in the one of the new school auditoriums if they need more room. Everyone is right - stop the spending and I strongly urge a steep pull back on the school budget (they get 56% !). The police department building was necessary and I guess the fire department building was fine but the continuous expansion plans and now the "new" city hall as well as the required land purchases (the city does not own all the land necessary for the new city hall yet) will sink the taxpayers. By my last count, 27 houses are for sale or abandoned from the corner of Lomond and Manassas Drive to Mathis Ave. The Park Boys and Girls on the city council had better wake up, take a big dose of "stop leak" and save the city, if they can. Manassas Park is in a recession; too many homes people are running from. We cannot take the extra weight. If the MP city council can't do it, let's go back to PWC. It is hard for politicians to slow spending. It is easy to spend, very hard to curtail. That is no excuse, just the facts. They should hold city hall meetings in the one of the new school auditoriums if they need more room. Everyone is right - stop the spending and I strongly urge a steep pull back on the school budget (they get 56% !).
The police department building was necessary and I guess the fire department building was fine but the continuous expansion plans and now the “new” city hall as well as the required land purchases (the city does not own all the land necessary for the new city hall yet) will sink the taxpayers. By my last count, 27 houses are for sale or abandoned from the corner of Lomond and Manassas Drive to Mathis Ave. The Park Boys and Girls on the city council had better wake up, take a big dose of “stop leak” and save the city, if they can. Manassas Park is in a recession; too many homes people are running from. We cannot take the extra weight. If the MP city council can’t do it, let’s go back to PWC.

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