Issue 117 vs. Issue 116.
The big mystery surrounding Income Taxes in Parma, Ohio
Don't be fooled by the propaganda being passed out by Parma's mayor and Parma's City Council President.
They are telling everyone to vote yes on Issue 116, and No on issue 117.
Let's take a look at each issue:
A YES vote on Issue 117 will give us our tax credit back, and guarantee us the right to VOTE on any future tax credit reductions (a right we currently do not have).
A YES vote on Issue 116 will raise the income tax from 2.0% to 2.5% and the Current Mayor's Administration and City Council "promise" to give our tax credit back. I use the term "promise" loosely.
Why is the mayor so hell bent on voting no on Issue 117?? If Issue 116 passes, he is already "promising" to give the tax credit back. Why is he so afraid of issue 117 passing then?
Here is the wording for Issue 116 (Source: http://www.lwvcra.org/parma.htm) -
"116 CITY OF PARMA PROPOSED MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX Shall the Ordinance providing for an increase of one-half percent (0.5%) levy on income to a rate of two and one-half percent (2.5%), effective January 1, 2006, for general municipal purposes., be passed? "
I want to ask the mayor and City Council where in that wording does it say we will get the tax credit back? Where? Are we supposed to believe a "promise" from him and Council?? I wouldn't. Just check how they reneged on the "promise" with the Sunset Clause in December of 2003.
Here is the wording for Issue 117 (Same Source - League of Women Voters - Cuyahoga County)
"117 CITY OF PARMAPROPOSED ORDINANCE (BY INITIATIVE PETITION) Shall the Ordinance amending Section 183.52 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Parma to provide for voter approval of any reduction in the Resident Income Tax and to provide for a 100% Resident Income Tax Credit, be passed?"
Now this one tells me that we will in fact get our tax credit back.
The mayor keeps saying that we (the people who fought hard to get 117 on the ballot) are mean spirited and disgruntled. I disagree. I am not campaigning to shoot down Issue 116. I believe that if the people believe the city needs the money, then they should vote YES on 116 to raise the income tax across the board and YES on Issue 117 (And guarantee your tax credit back) .
Why is the mayor and City Council so hell bent on making sure 117 fails and 116 passes??? I will tell you: THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION OF GIVING US OUR TAX CREDIT BACK. NONE WHATSOEVER.
Issue 117 will guarantee your tax credit back, and if you feel the city still needs the revenue then be my guest...vote YES on Issue 116.
If you want a more personal explanation of the differences of the two issues, please feel free to contact me! I will even call you on the phone!!
More to Come...
The big mystery surrounding Income Taxes in Parma, Ohio
Don't be fooled by the propaganda being passed out by Parma's mayor and Parma's City Council President.
They are telling everyone to vote yes on Issue 116, and No on issue 117.
Let's take a look at each issue:
A YES vote on Issue 117 will give us our tax credit back, and guarantee us the right to VOTE on any future tax credit reductions (a right we currently do not have).
A YES vote on Issue 116 will raise the income tax from 2.0% to 2.5% and the Current Mayor's Administration and City Council "promise" to give our tax credit back. I use the term "promise" loosely.
Why is the mayor so hell bent on voting no on Issue 117?? If Issue 116 passes, he is already "promising" to give the tax credit back. Why is he so afraid of issue 117 passing then?
Here is the wording for Issue 116 (Source: http://www.lwvcra.org/parma.htm) -
"116 CITY OF PARMA PROPOSED MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX Shall the Ordinance providing for an increase of one-half percent (0.5%) levy on income to a rate of two and one-half percent (2.5%), effective January 1, 2006, for general municipal purposes., be passed? "
I want to ask the mayor and City Council where in that wording does it say we will get the tax credit back? Where? Are we supposed to believe a "promise" from him and Council?? I wouldn't. Just check how they reneged on the "promise" with the Sunset Clause in December of 2003.
Here is the wording for Issue 117 (Same Source - League of Women Voters - Cuyahoga County)
"117 CITY OF PARMAPROPOSED ORDINANCE (BY INITIATIVE PETITION) Shall the Ordinance amending Section 183.52 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Parma to provide for voter approval of any reduction in the Resident Income Tax and to provide for a 100% Resident Income Tax Credit, be passed?"
Now this one tells me that we will in fact get our tax credit back.
The mayor keeps saying that we (the people who fought hard to get 117 on the ballot) are mean spirited and disgruntled. I disagree. I am not campaigning to shoot down Issue 116. I believe that if the people believe the city needs the money, then they should vote YES on 116 to raise the income tax across the board and YES on Issue 117 (And guarantee your tax credit back) .
Why is the mayor and City Council so hell bent on making sure 117 fails and 116 passes??? I will tell you: THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION OF GIVING US OUR TAX CREDIT BACK. NONE WHATSOEVER.
Issue 117 will guarantee your tax credit back, and if you feel the city still needs the revenue then be my guest...vote YES on Issue 116.
If you want a more personal explanation of the differences of the two issues, please feel free to contact me! I will even call you on the phone!!
More to Come...
posted by David Fago at 10:14 PM
20 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dean is a little bit right about the citizen's group. The majority are people who wish to be proactive in the community. However, there are at least 3 people in that group who simply hate everyone and everything; and they will hate for centuries!
At least 3 people out of the 2800 citizens that signed the petition? That is not a huge percentage. I will take your point, and thank you for posting a reply. I am also glad that you stated a majority of the people are proactive.
All I ask for is a right to vote on taxes. That is all I really want. The city never gave us the opportunity, and as a democratic society, I am proud that we took our right to vote with no help from the Administration.
Thank you for your comment!!
Dave
David, I completely agree with your analysys of both issues and further, if there are Parma citizens who believe this mayor and this council will really use the additional tax revenue to improve our lives in Parma, then by all means - they should vote yes on issue 116.
BUT don't ask me to believe this will "create jobs in Parma ..."and I'd be curious to know how many of its supporters are earning their living OUTSIDE of Parma's city limits.
Actually...the creation of jobs should mean that we don't need an income tax increase. The creation of jobs would mean an increase in the income tax base...have a look:
Tax base X Tax rate = tax revenue
1,000,000 X 2.0% = 20,000
After more jobs...the tax base should increase:
1,500,000 X 2.0% = 30,000
But it is much easier to just increase the tax rate on the people...no need to create new jobs:
1,000,000 X 2.5% = 25,000
So the math shows it is always much better to increase the tax BASE and not the tax RATE.
issue 117 if passed it will force the mayor and council to spend with in the budget, if 117 fails they will always have emergency funds to collect at our expense, without a vote, you are so right about them not giving back something they already have, the only reason they made the promise is because 117 made it to the ballot!
Thank You Paul! Don't forget to vote on November 8!!
Also, vote YES on issue 118 (to form a charter) and vote for the following people to be on the commission:
Bezek, Michael
Drabek, Martin
Eichler, Otto
Emmert, Valerie
Fago, David
Fay, Ruth
Jakubowski, David
Metyk, Robert
Nice, Mary Ann
Sara, Frank
Soukup, Jerry
Stover, John R.
Wright, Patricia
Please expand your comments on issue 118. Also, please advise who you are recommending and why.
Thanks,
Gloria
Thank you for your request Gloria. Issue 118 is going to ask the voters: "Should a commission be elected to form a Charter for Parma?" (Or something to that tune). This is a brand new question for forming a charter. The Charter attempt from 2003 is gone, and that charter does not exist. This new commission will write up a new charter to submit to the voters.
The city, led by Dean DePiero, is telling everyone to vote no on Issue 118. The administration and City Council do not want a charter in this city becuase they stand to lose some power, and power will be given back to the people with the right charter.
In the same breath, Dean is encouraging everyone to vote for his slate of charter candidates. Why would he ask you vote no, and then ask you to vote for him at the same time?
I am urging you to vote YES on Issue 118. And I have listed the candidates in the above post for a reason. We (I am one of the candidates) are the only group of people pledging not to put any kind of Millage provision in the charter. Also, We are pledging no taxes without a vote of the people. You can vote for up to 15 people for the charter commission. It is important for us to get 8 of those 15 to give us a majority. If Dean's group gets the majority, he will put taxes and millage in the charter, and ultimately...the charter will fail once again.
The group listed above has no ties to city hall, and we consist of Independents, Democrats, and Republicans. We are truly for the people, and are not tied to any party.
Our group promises to give the people a fair charter, with no taxes or millage built into it. In 2003, the city had the majority (Lisa DePiero, Micky Vittardi, Tim Boyko, Joann Mason, Nicholas Celebreeze, Paul Kirner, etc.) They put the taxes in the charter. Currently, Dean DePiero, Marty Vittardi, Tim DeGeeter, Paul Kirner, and more are running again. We need to make sure these "tax, spend, and tax some more" career politicians do not get their hands on the city's precious new charter.
Please feel free to drop me an email if you want to chat on the phone.
Thanks...Dave Fago
Dave,
Per Issue 117, please consider this analysis:
ISSUE 117
Issue 117 is good for Parma.
Issue 117 states, “Shall the Ordinance amending Section 183.52 of the Codified Ordinances
of the City of Parma to provide for voter approval of any reduction in the Resident Income Tax Credit and to provide for a 100% Resident Income Tax Credit, be passed?”
Issue 117 is important for two reasons:
A. It keeps Resident Income Tax Credit at 100%. For example, Parma has a 2% Income Tax. People working outside Parma have to pay an Income Tax to the city he or she works in. If the Income Tax, where your employed, is 2% and the Resident Income Tax Credit is 100% total Income Tax you will pay to Parma is 0.
B. The people of Parma will have the control of the Resident Income Tax Credit. Today, Parma Council controls the increase or decrease of the Resident Income Tax Credit. The Parma Council can impose a higher tax on the citizens of Parma working outside of the city without the approval of the people.
Issue 117 does NOT:
· Reduce EMS staff and close fire stations.
· Hurt our ability to attract jobs in Parma.
· Ruin the city recreation program.
Issue 117 DOES put the power in the hands of the People of Parma.
Vote YES on Issue 117!
Jim
If issue 116 passes and 117 fails Parma will have one of the highest base income tax rates of 2.5 then any other major suburb in Cuyahoga county ! More then N. Royalton, Strongsville. Try to call city hall and get a skunk removed from your property ! It will be more of the same from Parma, pay more get less ! Remember the full tax credit was the WAY IT USED to BE prior to city council sneaking in taking away the tax credit ! SPREAD THE WORD BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE ! Once they raise the base rate it aint NEVER GOING BACK !
ISSUE 116
Issue 116 is bad for Parma.
Issue 116 states, “Shall the Ordinance providing for a increase of one-half percent (0.5%) levy on income to a rate of two and one-half percent (2.5%), effective January 1, 2006, for general municipal purposes, be passed?”
Issue 116 must be defeated for the following reasons:
A. Fear – Mayor DePiero states, “By helping prevent future city property tax increase, issue116 would help seniors on a fixed income stay in their homes.”
B. Misleading – Mayor DePiero states, “Overall, you would see an income tax cut in your paycheck, starting in 2006. If you make $40,000 per year, your taxes would go down $200 per year.” “However, since Issue 116 helps spread the tax burden from Parma residents to non-Parma residents, in the long run, you would pay less in taxes. Why? Because future city income and city property tax increases would be avoided.”
C. Indifference – Mayor DePiero states, “…a stay-at-home parent, between jobs or have no outside income. As someone with no current outside income, you have no income to tax. As a result, Issue 116 would neither raise nor lower your income tax.” “…retired. As a retiree with no outside income, you have no wages income to tax. As a result, Issue 116 would neither raise nor lower your income taxes.”
Say no to ISSUE 116.
If issues 116 & 117 pass, would our tax credit be up to 2.5% which would be 100%?
Thanks,
Erik Soeder
If Issue 116 and 117 pass. The credit is 100% of the Income Tax or in this case 2.5%.
If the tax is raised to 2.5% and the city which you currently work in takes 2.5% then...yes it is 100%. But and this is a big BUT, keep in mind if the city you work in (example: Brooklyn or Brooklyn Hts) only takes 2% then you will still be required to pay to the city of Parma the additional .5%
Only if the city in which you work takes 2.5%. If the city in which you work (example: Brooklyn or Brooklyn Hts) only takes 2% then you will still be obligated to pay the increased .5% to the city of PARMA
I HOPE THE PEOPLE OF PARMA DO THE RIGHT THING & VOTE FOR ISSUE 117. THE MAYOR & ALL HIS CRONIES ARE DOING A FINE JOB OF SCARING OUR OLDER RESDIENTS OF PARMA INTO NOT APPROVING ISSUE 117. PEOPLE OF PARMA STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHATS GOOD FOR YOU & NOT A HAND FULL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS. REMEMBER THE BOSTON TEA PARTY???
so neither issue passes and we remain stagnant.
I hope that we do remain stagnant - unfortunately they will lower the credit again and we will pay more in income taxes. Why - because it is the easy thing to do and the voters don't have to approve it.
well neither issue passed. we stay the same. lets not let issue 117 die. lets get it back on the ballot when we vote agin!
Post a Comment
<< Home