COM 0315.002 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Monday PAav 12. 1997 11:08:38 AM (8081 967-8295 Repeal the Homeowners Tax Class Bonnie Goodell, 967-7775 5/10/97 p.3 Because homeorr'ners are so high/;' subsidized b}' vacant lots, it creates a great incentive for as man}' vacant lots as possible. ~~'e ahead}' have three or fom vacant houselots to subsidize every hnmP~n~nar «'hirh makPC nc nn;~hlP m ivcict a~lriing mnrP anrT mrn~P r~arant hta Tt' C RC If 1l'P .ll'P saying. "Okay. maybe we're addicts. supporting our tax habit by ripping off people rvho can't vote tc defend themselves, but, he}'. they deserve it. They re just speculators and newcomers angway. They knew the deal. Screw em! Look. there's these real estate developers with a great fix...just fort}' thousand more lots and then tr'e' 11 get our act together. Promise." Ever}' serious stud} of sustainabilit}' has reached the same conclusion: the foundation of sustainabilit is Fiscal Equit}, being fair about the move}'. The unfair tax pattern on the Big Island is part of a c}'c that started in the 1950s. as revenge for the previous sixt} years of bigotry and abuse. The people doing the abusing nom are using exact]}' the same manipulations and rationalizations that were used against them fift}' }'ears ago-proving, once again. that power is an equal opportunity corruptor. The tables are about to tmn again. Do rr'e «'ant another cycle of revenge? \Ce can get over it nom, while there is still time. for the sake of the children. Or rce can leave a debt, complete with resentment and recriminations. Fift}' ;'ears from nor+ • when the histor} books are coming out about the mistakes rve are making now. horn' rr'ill rve be judged? `-~i ~y~/~II~LX ~7~TZ~H'~1~ Bonnie Goodell is a planner lining in ~.'olcano• specialising in sustainabilit}' and equity planning.