Opinion -- Yorktown Crier | The Poquoson Post

Budget Recommendations from the Private Sector Budget Task Force ... Hello Board of Supervisor Members, Thank you so much for your efforts in keeping York County a great place to live, work or just visit!! Your work does not go unappreciated. We all know your plates stay full. I hope you do not feel like you are alone in those efforts. There are many very bright and experienced leaders in the private sector that are willing to help York County. It is our hope as private citizens and taxpayers who love York County that we preserve our currentquality of life without burdening our citizens with another tax increase, 12.77% was difficult enough this year. We believe that this can be done by following our guiding principle. We further believe that it is possible to repeal part of the last tax rate increase by being fiscally responsible. Our Guiding Principle ‐ "We would like to see York County function more like the private sector and less like the Federal Government". (Read the Article) (Have a Comment?)

An "Office of the Repealer" Might Really be a Great Idea ... Two Tennessee state legislators have proposed a new office of state government. Their idea might be a lot of fun, especially in an era where taxes are rising, drones are flying, and disposable incomes are shrinking. Normally, creating another government office and its attendant bureaucracy is an exceptionally bad idea. But, this proposed office has a happy function that might actually serve the people, increase liberty, and promote common sense. An “Office of the Repealer” might really be a great idea.(Read the Article)

Robbing Political Parties of Power ... There is an old saw from Texas that “No man’s life, liberty or property is safe while the Texas Legislature is in session.” There is more truth than poetry in that saying here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Consider Republican Delegate John Cosgrove’s bill – HB 2208. Del. Cosgrove is a Republican Caucus representative to the State Central Committee (SCC), Republican Party of Virginia (RPV). The Republican member of the SCC has a bill that takes away the only power the SCC and RPV have. The only real power the political parties have in the Code of Virginia is the power to nominate candidates for election. The RPV took the power provided by the Code of Virginia and created three ways to select candidates – convention, caucus and primary.(Read the Article)

Mr. Tom Shepperd's Response to Private Sector Task Force ... Thank you very much for taking the time to share your group’s recommendations on ways to improve the County’s budget. Rest assured it is my opinion that none of the Supervisors feel alone in working through the FY14 Budget. We continue to receive comments and recommendations from many different groups and individuals on a wide variety of budget related topics. As you might expect, opinions from a large group of citizens will vary considerably and at times compete for funding. It is the duty of the Supervisors to balance the many needs of our County citizens and to maximize the efficient use of resources, be it people, revenue, equipment, etc. Establishing a $100+ million budget is a challenging task that requires a considerable personal commitment of time and energy, a willingness to listen, a cooperative attitude, and at times, compromise. The allocation of tax revenue within the County budget is not an unimportant task. It is serious business that in the end uses citizen revenue to reflects the priorities, commitment, and desires of the community. Essentially, this is why input from our citizens is so important and desired. (Read the Article) (Have a Comment?)

Don, How 'Bout CUTS, Not Higher TAXES ... 3th District Supervisor and Vice Chairman Donald E. Wiggins (wiggins@yorkcounty.gov) stated at the February 19th Board of Supervisors meeting that he needed the help of York County citizens to understand where to make cuts in county spending. "We’ve got it down to bare bones now. Are we going to cut storm water drainage? Cut sewage?" Apparently Mr. Wiggins is out of his own ideas on how and where to make budget concessions and thereby avert a proposed hike in the real estate tax rate.(Read the Article)

Norment, Helsel, Watkins Raise Your Taxes, Pogge Stays True ... Republican State Senator Tommy Norment and Delegates Gordon Helsel and Mike Watkins voted to raise your taxes for Gov. Bob McDonnell’s Transportation Plan. Republican Delegate Brenda Pogge was the only York-Poquoson representative in the General Assembly to stay true to principles of lower taxes and less government.(Read the Article)

Consider This Week's Political What‐If's"... The events of the week e.g. the presidential inaugural, bring to mind several “what ifs” that potentially affect each of us. One, from the past, is merely interesting. The what ifs from the present and future could well shape our state and local governments for years to come.( Read the Article)