Binghamton Landlords Tell Mayor Ryan to Keep His 80% Property Tax Hike
By Jim Willis on May 20, 2008 in City Council, Government & Politics, Mayor Matt Ryan, Taxes & Spending | Printable Version
Mayor Matt Ryan and the Citizen Action Council (formerly known as the Binghamton City Council) are backpedaling, at least for appearances, on their scheme to raise property taxes of city landlords by 80%. The landlords are not taking it sitting down–good for them! Yesterday, a group of 25 landlords got in the good mayor’s face outside City Hall and let him know, loudly, that they will not only fight him, they’ll sue him to stop the legislation that he and City Council are trying to ram through that would make landlords pay the higher commercial property tax rate, thereby raising their rates an average 80%. (See my post Flatliners Inhabit Binghamton City Hall.)
Ryan is mouthing the typical response when a liberal’s continued political power (re-election) is threatened…something along the lines of, “We didn’t mean we would do it right now–we’re only looking at the issue. No decision has been made.” Right. This ploy is used to lull the angry hordes into submission before the ax falls. The landlords of Binghamton recognize it for what it is–a LIE–and are staying vigilant. According to one landlord, Ellie Farfaglia,
“This administration can’t be trusted,” Farfaglia said. “We are not waiting for the ax to come down on our heads.” (Press & Sun-Bulletin, May 20)
But don’t shed any tears for the good mayor and his merry band of socialists who are out to rob from the evil rich landlords to give to themselves (that is, to their socialist programs that keep people voting for them). Ryanhood is using reassessments to steal his money now–nevermind waiting for an 80% increase in the tax rate. They’ve figured out they can reassess properties and grab the money now! The city has just sent out 452 change-of-assessment notices, many of them to landlords who rent to Binghamton University students. Such clever people these socialists.
It’s good to see people like the mom-and-pop landlords of Binghamton who aren’t going to take this socialist administration’s garbage sitting down. Methinks Mayor Ryanhood and the merry Citizen Action gang better enjoy their first term running the city. I seriously doubt they’ll get a second term.
Technorati Tags: Binghamton, Matt Ryan, Binghamton City Council, property taxes, landlord
Charlie | May 20, 2008 | Reply
As a landlord owning property in the city of Binghamton, and a regular reader of this blog, I just want to add that this situation is totally out of control. As an under-30 life-long citizen of Binghamton, there has never been anything that has made it so tempting to remove myself from this city as the last couple months have brought (between water increases and tax increases). I’m going to take my well-paid self and re-root (but not to town of chenango– they’ve got nearly the same problems).
Derek | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for your insight and information. Do you have any information on how a concerned citizen could help the oppressed property owners in Binghamton fight the good and unfortunately necessary fight against the (presumably? no doubt?) good intentioned but uninformed City Hall? I’d love to roll up my sleeves and pitch in, but don’t know where to start.
It would be better if the Mayor and Party Members did nothing and just collected their pay checks than the busy work they’re doing at the City of Binghamtons expense. Going to have to take up the recommendation of my young professional and hard working construction friends and move out of New York if we can’t stop the direction our elected officials are taking us. We require sound fiscal policies that generate revenue without stealing it. Thank you for your efforts in informing and educating the citizenry.
Jim Willis | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Hi Charlie,
Thanks so much for your comment. You are an example of some of the best and brightest this area produces (I had a look around your excellent website!). You’re young, you’ve gone to university and have become an engineer. You’ve loads of talent in a variety of skills, including web design. And you’re already a landlord. I’m sure your mom and dad are bursting with pride, as well they should.
To be fair, I doubt Mayor Ryan and the City Council had people like you in mind when they started down the path of hiking property taxes. The sad thing is, I doubt they realize that many (maybe most?) of the landlords in Binghamton are people like you–with one or two properties, just trying to better yourself and provide a valuable service to students and others who live in our area.
Like you, I’ve struggled with conflicting emotions. Throw in the towel and just get out of Dodge? Or stick around and fight the good fight? Frankly, I couldn’t blame you for making either decision. At what point is it senseless to continue the struggle…to pay insane tax rates and watch our freedoms continually erode? I don’t know.
What I do know is this…and yes, it is an overused and trite quotation: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Edmund Burke, 1729-1797
While I live and breath in Greater Binghamton, I will not be silent! If you stick around Charlie, I sincerely hope we see your name on the list of candidates for City Council–or Mayor!
Jim Willis | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Thank you Derek for asking a great question (and thanks for your comment). How might we help the landlords in their necessary fight against a tyrannical city government? I suspect you may be able to volunteer or contribute to the Binghamton landlord association. I’m going to ask a landlord friend who owns property in Binghamton what they recommend–the best way to help them. I’ll respond back with a post in the near future to answer your excellent question.