The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Thursday,July 18, 2002 EDITORIAL An unlikely voice speaks up for property reassessment A Makowski's support could turn the tide; county plan should include a regular schedule of future dates This could be a watershed moment for Luzerne County, no pun intended regarding the recent 30th anniversary of the Agnes flood. County Commissioner Tom Makowski, long an avowed opponent of the reassessment of property, has changed his mind, and announced he now supports the con- cept. Why is the first county-wide revaluation of property in nearly 40 years so important? Let us count the ways: e The present system is unfair. Property values rise and fall — mostly they rise — over time and with changing cir- cumstances. What once was an isolated field becomes a high-priced development; a vibrant factory becomes an emp- ty hulk, or a neighborhood that was down at the heels be- comes popular and pricey. e Unfairness discourages new development. When houses of comparable size and amenities can have tax bills that are hundreds, even thousands of dollars apart simply because of their age, the incentive to build new homes shrinks. That's what happens now: if a house was built prior to 1965, it is still carried on the tax rolls at its mid-60s value. And it can’t be reassessed on a sale, so can pass through several owners, each paying a higher price, while the assessed value stays the same. But if you build in 2002, you pay taxes on today’s price. e There are gaps. Aside from equalizing values, a thorough assessment process will undoubtedly turn up properties that are either missing from the rolls, or have been improved but not revalued. About the only reassessment that takes place now occurs when an addition is built onto an existing prop- erty. But even then, only the value of the addition can be counted, not the increased value of the entire structure. * The present system only gets more inequitable as some property owners — particularly those with business property and expensive homes — challenge their assessments and win reductions. It's easy to do, since there are so many ex- amples to choose from, and the challengers almost always win. And when someone’s tax bill goes down by $1,000 or $10,000, everyone else’s has to go up. e “Tax reform” has fallen flat. There have been attempts, some genuine and some just political window dressing, to re- vise the basic tax structure in Pennsylvania, shifting the em- phasis to the income tax and away from property. None have succeeded to any measurable degree, and even our present lame-duck governor doesn’t seem to have the stomach to press for real change. So it has to happen here. That last point turns conventional political wisdom on, its ear. Many observers, including this page, have felt that re- assessment would never. be enacted at the, county level, since it almost certainly will end the political caréer of any office holder who espouses it. Makowski is putting on a brave face and saying he doesn’t think that has to be the case, but it’s hard to believe he really thinks that. Perhaps he felt his future looked bleak anyway, or maybe he was dis- mayed at the fact that the county couldn't raise the millage rate any higher, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt — he didn’t have to take this position, which is likely to make for the most uncomfortable few months of his public life. If he is able to shepherd reassessment through, he will have done a service to Luzerne County that more than offsets any perceived harm he may have wrought. Reassessment is by no means an easy answer to all of Luzerne County’s problems or those of the municipalities within it, and creates its own set of difficulties. Given the enormous number of properties that are underassessed, there will be howls of protest from every quarter. Some of the complaints will be legitimate, particularly if they come from elderly people living on modest fixed incomes. Commissioner Stephen Urban’s condition that along with reassessment the county adopt a “homestead exemption” on primary homes may reduce the pain for many people whose property has risen in value, but whose income hasn't kept pace. There should be at least one other component to any re- assessment plan — a requirement that it be updated every 10 years. Committing that schedule to paper will assure tax- payers and developers they won't again face the degree of in- equity that, hopefully, will be addressed in the next couple of years. Letters invited Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published, subject to the following guidelines: * Letters should not exceed 500 words. - * No writer may have more than one letter published during a 30- day period, except as a reply to another letter. * Letters must be signed and include the writer's home town and a telephone number for verification. ; * Names will be withheld only if there exists a clear threat to the writer. » The Post retains the right to accept or reject any letter, and to edit letters for grammar and spelling, as well as to eliminate any li- bel, slander or objectionable wording. The Dallas Post TIMESeLEADER unity Newspaper Group P.O. BOX 366, DALL 18612 » 570-675-5211 Ronald Bartizek GENERAL MANAGER Kari L. Wachtel ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC. Timothy J. Raub REPORTER Ruth Proietto AD PRODUCTION MANAGER Terry Quinn PAGE DESIGN Darlene Sorber OFFICE MANAGER Meadow, fence and sky on Huntsville-Idetown Road. Photo by Ron Bartizek. 55-Alive driving courses at Mountain Grange Mountain . Grange #567, Carverton, is planning three AARP 55-Alive Courses from 1- 5 p.m on the following dates: July 25, August 22 and 29, and September 19 and 26. Each course consists of a fotal of eight. hours., Therefore, each date ‘will be four hours each. The cost is $10 per person. ONLY YESTERDAY 70 Years Ago - July 15, 1932 BOARD FAILS TO NAME SCHOOL HEAD Attempt of Dallas borough school board to elect a succes- sor to George Bowen, who re- signed to accept a position as supervising principal of West Wyoming failed when the motion to elect Donald Wormley lacked the majority of votes necessary for passage. Lee Tracy, of Pioneer avenue, who starred in Broadway, Front Page and other stage successes, signed a contract with Columbia Pictures to play the leading role in Night Mayor, a screen adop- tion of Sam Marx's stage play of the same name. At the Himmler Theatre, some movies that played: Symphony of Six Million with Ricardo Cortez; Devil's Lottery with Elis- sa Landi; Huddle with Ramon Navarro and The Sunset Trail with Ken Maynard. 60 Years Ago - July 17, 1942 GOVERNOR JAMES WILL OPEN LAKE ROAD Governor Arthur H. James will dedicate the new Lake high- way at road opening ceremonies in Dallas. Taking an active part with him will be A. J. Sordoni, president of Wyoming Valley Motor Club. A parade will be held for this occassion. Eighty volunteers to man the air raid observation post of the Avaiation warning service which is being built in Rice cemetery on Huntsville Road has been is- sued by Paul Shaver, chief ob- Upon completion of: the course, each person receives a certificate. The certificate can be sent to your automobile in- surance carrier. Call your in- surance agent to determing ex- FIO actly what percentage discount will be given. Usually. the. reducs. tion is 5-15 percent." You must register prior to the server. His appeal for help goes out to men and women. In an effort to modernize and double the efficiency of its fire fighting equipment, Shavertown Fire Company has ordered a new booster pump outfit to be installed on its fire truck. A 200- gallon auxiliary tank for the storage of water will be installed on the truck. 50 Years Ago - July 25, 1952 LAING FIREMEN TEST THREE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT Members of the committee to select a new fire engine for Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Company demonstrated a mack, a Ward- LaFrance, and a Central. Those who tested the appareatus were headed by Henry Peterson of the new engine committee; Ben Ed- wards, Fred Price, Norti Berti and Fire Chief James Besecker. Road races will start at Sena- tor Newell Wood's estate at Har- veys Lake and consist of ten laps around the 3.5 mile course. Sixty-five cars are eniered for the road race. Kingston Township Supervi- sors passed an ordinance at the recent monthly meeting that houses should not be construct- ed closer than twenty-five feet to the street. 40 Years Ago - July 19, 1962 NOXEN TEAM WINS PENNANT Noxen team of the Bob Hor- lacher Little League won the pennant for the third successive year. The Noxen Little League team is managed by Harold Bennett and assisted by Tom Shalata. Dallas Orchard exchange of Commonwealth Telephone Com- pany will be converted to All Numbar Calling with each tele- phone number being composed of seven digits. The final step in construction of a swimming pool at Our Lady of the Pines, vacation hom for nuns owned by Villa St. There- sa, Dallas was taken at Harveys specified classes as classes are limited to 15-20 persons. You may register by calling 333- 1021, 287-6354 or 586-5132. From ? ete turn at the traffic, , t onto Carverton Road., J ‘stop sign, turn left (Eighth eet), building, is "across from Bodle Road. Lake. Pool was filled through the courtesy fo the Idetown Fire De- partment. : 30 Years Ago - July 13, 1972 ZONING LAW SUSPENSION CAUSES AREA CONCERN Officials of three Back Moun- tain municipalities have ex- pressed their concern about what impact temporary trailer housing for flood victims will have on their communities.The officials realize, there is an emergency and wish to lend all assistance but fear con- seugences, such the financial burdens with sewer assess- ments A Dallas Township road, No. 765, off of Lower Demunds Road, will be abandoned by the township Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Fred Lamoreaux rec- ommended vacating the con- crete raod, due to its poor condi- tions caused by heavey rains. Edward S. Barber, personnel director for = Commonwealth Telephone Company of Dallas announced - that plans were made to provide financial assis- tance for those company em- ployees who were victims of the Agnes flood. 20 Years Ago - July 14, 1982 McCAFFERTY RESIGNS In a move that stunned even his closest friends, John McCaf- ferty of Carverton, submitted his resignation as a member of the Franklin Township board of supervisors. He gave no reason as to his resignation. Joseph “Red” Jones, Oak Hill was appointed as the basketball coach for College Misericordia Men’s Highlander team. Fire destroyed a home and business in Jackson Township requiring the resources of six Back Mountain companies to contain. Alan and Nancy Dukes lost their home, which startd in the garage, under the structure, Alan’s place of business. ills Ty ail Carol King Check out ‘auction pics on library website The 56th Annual Auction was another great success. The weather was unusually coopera- tive, the crowds tremendous. Congratulations to all those who played any part in making it such a success. Take a look at the Auction pictures on the li- brary’s website, backmountain- library.org. The winner of the Auction raf- fle for the grill was John Flynn. Jane Kishbaugh was the winner of the quilt raffle. The Slightly Read Bookshop has closed for the summer and will re-open on Wednesday, Sep- tember 4. (1 1] The Times Leader is sponsor- ing -a reading program for chil- dren. It started on Thursday, July 11, and will continue through August 22. To partici- pate in the contest, children must read “Luke in a Really Big Pickle,” which will appear in the paper each Thursday. Three winners, randomly selected from entries received, will receive a full year of movie passes to Cin- emark Theaters, Moosic. Visit the children’s room at the li- Te) JU Mn e ae ® ¢ brary and pick up a copy of the , July 11 issue, which contains the official reading contest game board, while the supply lasts. Call the library at 675-1182 for further details. o00 Bob Swartz has put on display in the library some of the toy cars and trucks in his collec- tion. Some of the names you'll recognize are Matchbox, Hot Wheels (the favorites in our house 30 years ago), Johnny Lightning, and Corgi. Bob's e- address - | Bobios8agol cor .com. Luzerne Cont Fair lists entertainment In celebration of the 40th an- niversary of the Luzerne County Fair, the entertainment com- mittee is excited to offer fairgo- ers some unique entertainers and attractions during the five, fun-filled days of this annual event. Wednesday evening, Sept. 4, ‘will feature a unique event last held during the Fair's 35th an- niversary in 1997-an Old time Fiddle Contest! Champion fid- dlers from throughout North- eastern Pennsylvania will com- pete for $500 in prize money; to enter, contact the Fair office for additional information. Thursday, one of two Senior Citizen's days at the Fair, will feature a dynamic, family ori- ented show. a Northeastern 2H Pennsylvania's Premier Oldies #8 and Dance Band, The Mud- flaps, will perform at the am- phitheater near a planned an- tique and classic car show. The Wilkinsons, contempo- rary country music group will perform Friday evening. This fa- ther-daughter-son act will offer their hits “26¢” and “Fly” and other singles that had them nominated for many of Country Music's top awards the last sev- eral years. : Pennsylvania State ers Band will perform Saturday evening at the amphitheater. These six, multi-talented mem- bers will perform contemporary country, classic country and bluegrass while offering comedy and fun for the whole family. Sunday, the second of the Fair's two Senior Citizen's days, will feature 11-time grammy award winner Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra; Having recorded over 100 albums, this group will leave no doubt why they were voted “The #1 Polka Band in the Country” the past 10 years. For additional information about the 2002 Luzerne County Fair, contact the Fair office at 675-FAIR or visit the Fair's website at www.luzernecounty- fair.com Fiddle & Champion, The Cramer Broth- ”
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