FW: Percentage Tax Increase

I received this email message and think it may help to explain some of  the reasons why the tax record of Tom Pullion's last nine years, did him no harm in his re-election. 

After you read the emailed question from C.D., I will explain how to figure percentages using the rules for math.

The Edgewater Park Reporter

------ Forwarded Message
From: CD
Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:35:45 -0500
To: EdgewaterPark Reporter <edgewaterparkreporter@yahoo.com>
Conversation: Percentage Tax Increase
Subject: Percentage Tax Increase

Dear E.P. Reporter,

I was told by Bee Holley last night that the reason the local republican
candidates lost was the voters were mad about the republican campaign
literature stating that Tom raised taxes 74.6%. She said this was a lie and
that's why the voters reelected Tom.
I went home to check this and came up with a smaller percentage. I was only able to go back to 2002 with my tax records and saw that my property tax was lower in 2003 from 2002.
I personally know Chuck Ryder and can't believe he would distort a fact like this. Could you please help and clear this up for me and the many others, Bee Holley spoke to about this. I understand Mr. Daly was saying the same thing to people.

Thank you

C. D.

------ End of Forwarded Message

This is how you go about figuring the percentage increase of your taxes, between 1999 and 2008.

In 1999 the average home in Edgewater Park paid  a local purpose tax (municipal tax) of $559.53. 

In 2008 the average home in Edgewater Park paid a local purpose tax of $973.15.

You subtract the 1999 tax of $559.53 from the 2008 tax of $973.15. You should get $413.62. 

Divide $413.62 by the 1999 tax of $559.53 for a total of 0.739227565.

Multiply 0.739227565 by 100 and should get 73.9227565, an increase of 73.9%. 

I did not add the open space tax of 1 cent, because it did not exist in 1999. If you add this in then the local purpose tax increased 76% since 1999. 

The statement by Mrs. Holley and Mr. Daly is false, if you follow the rules for math. 

Ask them to get their property tax from 1999 and compare it to the 2008 tax bill. Then all they need to do, is the math. 

I hope that any voter who was told by Mrs. Holley and Mr. Daly, the 74.6% stated in the Republican Literature was a lie and then voted for Tom because they believed Bee and Jim, will check the facts with their own tax records. 

The 76% tax increase truth will then be exposed! Mrs. Holley and Mr. Daly were right the Republican tax increase charge was incorrect. It was to low (74.6%) instead of (76%)! Bee is right, that is why you lost the local election Republicans.

I don't think this issue, was the reason the two Republican Township Committee Candidates lost. If you were at the polls when they opened, and looked at the election results in the BCT, you would realize that very few African American Edgewater Park residents voted for any republican candidates. Look at the vote for Freeholder Aubrey Fenton, an African American (1,249 votes), compared to President Elect Barack Obama (2,553 votes), a difference of 1,304 votes (104% more). 

The Republican Party has not been able to attract Edgewater Park African American voters, to vote for its candidates or run as a candidate. If the Edgewater Park Democratic Party is to have any serious republican competition, the Republicans or any other third party, need to convince the Edgewater Park African American voter, they are being taken for granted by the Edgewater Park Democratic Party. 

If the Edgewater Park African American voters are shown the facts of who is responsible for the local purpose tax increasing 76%, I am sure they would vote their pocket book by voting in candidates that would not allow the local purpose tax to increase at a rate exceeding 6% each year. 

Maybe next year Republicans, you will do a better job in reaching out to the Edgewater Park African American Voters with the tax facts. Nobody likes being taken for granted!

I do have a question for any old-timer resident like myself who voted early, did you know many of the people in line with you? Have we had that much of a turnover in residents? Let me know if your impressions are the same. 

Bottom line; the Local Purpose Tax on homes in Edgewater Park did increase 76% between 1999 and 2008. Even if you use the new math, it still is a 76% local purpose tax increase! 

Don't be fooled by using the overall tax rate. The overall rate, is a combination of all taxes, County, Library, Schools and Fire. Those tax rate increase are not the responsibility of the Township Committee, only the Local Purpose Tax is. 

I have not forgotten about the Cell Phone Records. I will be posting them soon.

The Edgewater Park Reporter