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Monday, October 12, 2009

Michael D'Amore: Allentown Tax Hike Not Viable



Michael D'Amore on Allentown's troubled finances: "This is not a problem that just surfaced. Had we not restructured the debt three years ago, it would be unmanageable completely. We did. We saved the city money. We refinanced some of our debt and, contrary to what Mr. Hershman said, we saved the city $600 thousand. There was no additional interest payments on that refinancing. ...

Lou Hershman (very low): "That's not right."

Michael D'Amore: "We cut, we need to cut everything that's not essential. We need to do what we did just a couple of weeks ago, which is, we looked at our home inspection program and we said, 'We're going broke being successful. So should the citizens pay for that or should the landlords pay for that?' We increased the fees on the landlord. There's no reason the citizens should pay for it, the landlord should pay for it, and now they're going to. We need to do those kinds of things and we need to do them in large numbers.

"When this budget comes out, I think we're all going to have to work together to make sure because a tax increase is not viable."
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 12, 2009 at 5:36 AM

    Lou Hershman reminded Mike that he voted for another bond refunding that will cost the Allentown taxpayer 60 million dollars. He keeps avoiding this issue when Lou brings this up. There was no need to refinance this bond issue, by accepting Lous,Joe Hilliard,Mike Schware, Bob Romanchek and Tony Phillps Plan when the refinacing legislation was introduced. THEY Chose to put a financial burden on our taxpayers, but they will pay, not next year because he knows if he supports Mayor on a Tax increse for 2010 it would affect this years election.Get Mike DARMORE to explain the savings when there is additional cost of 60 million dollars on your next Blog. Keep reporting on Allntown City Council,the Allentown Morning Call mentions zero on the council race.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 12, 2009 at 5:54 AM

    Just borrow more money to balance the books again.

    Allentown Democrat Voter

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousOctober 12, 2009 at 9:02 AM

    Damore speaks with forked tongue, which means in Allentown he will win by a landslide, and probably be our next mayor.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousOctober 12, 2009 at 11:45 AM

    If anon 902 prediction happens, then allentown will have the first socialist elected as Mayor in Pa.

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  5. AnonymousOctober 12, 2009 at 6:58 PM

    I though Ed would be our mayor for life.

    Allentown Democrat Voter

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bob RomancheckOctober 13, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    I like Mike Damore but is he really believing his own junk? Mike forget the election and speak the truth.

    ReplyDelete
  7. KJOctober 14, 2009 at 1:13 PM

    I am relatively new to this area, I was listening to Hershman on Gunther the other morning, he is not very well spoken....any insight on this guy? I am not a voter in Allentown, just a casual observer.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bernie O'HareOctober 14, 2009 at 1:16 PM

    KJ, Lou is actually one of the better candidates. I have plenty of posts about him on this blog.

    ReplyDelete

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