Letter: Is this the best we can expect for our tax money?

Graphic by Lori Deaton

[Regarding the letter, “Haywood Street Sidewalks Need Attention,” May 3, Xpress]: … We in North Asheville also have problems with crumbling roadways and sidewalks with lack of repair.

Which brings me to my point — after recently allotting Public Works with a bond issue to repair infrastructure, I’m in wonder that the response to the posed query [in the letter] regarding a tepid-at-best physical solution is no better than political doublespeak. Is this the best we can expect for our tax money?

— Margot Kornfeld
Asheville

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16 thoughts on “Letter: Is this the best we can expect for our tax money?

  1. bsummers

    I’m not sure why the outrage. True, the bond package was approved in November – but how long does it take to sell the bonds, put that money in the Public Works pipeline, run down the prioritized list of projects, etc.? It’s only been six months – Rome wasn’t re-built in a day.

    • Lulz

      LOL you mean all the tax increases and fees are being diverted to the connected? Like the RAD, art museum, tourism, and not to the actual residents? Once upon a time the city collected leaves. They stopped that and handed out bags. Now they do neither lulz.

      • bsummers

        you mean all the tax increases and fees are being diverted to the connected? Like the RAD, art museum, tourism, and not to the actual residents?

        I didn’t say anything of the sort, obviously. Make things up much?

        • Lulz

          Don’t have to. Anyone can see for themselves. I dare say that decades of unchecked power and one sided elections are about over. Only so much money you can take before people wonder where it’s going. Local cronies are splitting up the city simply because one part is paying for the rest. And they ain’t happy lulz.

  2. Lulz

    LOL and don’t forget the 300% increase in vehicle fees lulz. The city no longer serves the residents.

    • Lulz

      Bothwell will be along shortly to pump his park for the tourist. That residents will finance.

    • True. This bond is little more than a self-dealing re-election slush fund. They only have to spend it in areas where they can buy votes. Hence the opposition to district elections. And it frees up General Fund money they’ll need to pursue lawsuits.

      • Huhsure

        What are you talking about, Tim? Please provide some data to back that nonsense assertion.

        • Why, I’m talking about a self-dealing re-election slush fund. They only have to spend it in areas where they can buy votes. Hence the opposition to district elections. And it frees up General Fund money they’ll need to pursue lawsuits.

    • Lulz

      LOL council will pretend to listen. But any entity that pushes bond debt after tax increases and bogus fees year over year is either grossly incompetent or corrupt.

      • bsummers

        …or being squeezed in a fiscal vise by the State. Reduced sales tax distribution, cutoff of business license fees, elimination of Sullivan Act transfers for road maintenance, etc. We’ve talked about this here many times over the past few years, but some people don’t seem to realize that the books have to balance. When the State takes revenue away, local municipalities have to decide whether to raise taxes, cut services, or borrow money (bonds). Welcome to reality.

        Anyway, I just wanted the letter writer to know that the City is trying to keep us informed on the progress of the bond projects.

  3. Deplorable Infidel

    AVL is undoubtedly THE most pathetically run ‘city’ anywhere in America…AVL is an embarrassment to their inhabitants…

    We SUFFER elected criminals running the pathetic city…

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