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- Taxing Issue
According to the latest available figures received from House Research and Department of Revenue, Richfield had the largest percent growth of city levies in 2002. At a whopping 60.3%, it was the largest when compared to: Bloomington, 20.8%; Brooklyn Park, 30.8%; Burnsville, 28.4%; Crystal, 37.0%; Duluth, 1.8%; Elk River, 14.8%; Golden Valley, 33.9%; Grand Rapids, 12.1%; Hopkins, 29.5%; Inver Grove Heights, 36.8%; Maple Grove, 29.2%; Marshall, -4.2%; Minneapolis, 12.7%; Minnetonka, 25.0%; New Hope, 23.6%; Osseo, 9.9%; Plymouth, 25.8%; Rochester, 22.4%; St. Louis Park, 37.8%; South St. Paul, 31.2%; Waseca, 12.3%; Willmar, -24.6% and Worthington, 22.8%. Watch for even more taxes this year.
- Shortakes &Tidbits
Someone said that our Legislators would take 30 days to make instant coffee.
Many bad ideas are simply good ideas carried too far.
The kind of people we need in City Hall probably won't run.
People may forgive you for being wrong, but they will never forgive you for being right if you prove them wrong.
Subtlety counts. If the Mona Lisa had broken into a big, toothy grin, she would have been forgotten long ago. (author unknown)
Tax Abatement is another form of public assistance for developers?
Depending on your position, a double standard can be either appealing or appalling.
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Homework
Sources indicate 17% of Richfield residents have their children in Richfield public schools and that over 50% of the children are on the free or reduced school lunch program?
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Replace vs Repair City Hall
The Richfield city hall is 38 years old, which is 2/3 the age of most homes in Richfield, and yet our council and staff believe it is ready for demolition? A resident has called thinking that perhaps the City Council should follow its own program of "Remodel/Add On". (Note: The City Council recently voted to maintain the existing building). However, the quest for a new city hall has not died. It appears the decision to build a new city hall has been made and all that remains is the location of the building site. On 12-10-2005 I attended an open house for citizens to evaluate the pros and cons of possible site locations. While I'm personally unconvinced for a need to build, I'm even more puzzled as to the cost and effort put into where it should be built. Since the land costs can run anywhere from 30%-50% of the total cost of construction, why not use the present site and save a lot of time and consultant's costs. It'll be interesting to get the public's input on the whole matter. Notwithstanding, the City Hall Task Force members should be commended for the time and effort they spent in reaching their conclusions and recommendations.
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Stop Talking!
A new study of 456 drivers who talked on a cell phone while driving found that they were four times more likely to have a crash---whether they used a hand-held or hands-free phone---than those who didn't talk while driving.