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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Rumor Mill: Cunningham to Propose 15% Plus Tax Hike

Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham dazzled everyone so effectively with his oratory last week that nobody bothered to ask him whether there will be a tax hike next year. When he delivers his budget to Commissioners next week, the rumor is that he will propose at least a 15% tax increase. The actual figure I've heard is 18%. We'll find out how accurate this rumor is next week, when the budget is unveiled.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

No way Mr. Cunningham will propose a 15% increase.The man would have to be insane!

Anonymous said...

All local governments are hurting. Stoffa proposed more and he has accomplished nothing. At least Don has accomplished a great deal in the past five years.

Anonymous said...

what donny boy has done is to blow a massive surplus that was there 5 years ago. like jc over in bethlum his recent cuts are nothing but cya moves to cover up years of their own mismanagement. 2 peas in a pod. both can talk the talk but neither can walk the walk. they blame the economy but when things got bad they didn't stop spending until they ran out of money and caused deficeits.their political carrers are dead in the water but the biggest losers are the citizens because now they will have to pay for these two losers mistakes and mismanagement

Anonymous said...

unbelievable! sell both nursing homes, trim the real fat, not just the positions that Donnie created when he first got in office that weren't there before in Ervin's regime. All Donnie boy did was spin play the media. Also, why would you spend millions in capital projects at a time like this?? Really, do we need a morgue building to be shared with Cetronia ambulance, a private company and a crime center that will cost millions to create and staff? Maybe Callahan learned how to budget from Donnie. Out with the Commissioners next election cycle if they can't stop the bleeding on the taxpayers. Our taxes are high enough for the minuscule services that County government provides. Look out incumbents - you're GONE!!!

Anonymous said...

That's nearly a 20% increase and why wouldn't he do it?

Anonymous said...

Bernie
Did you find out the prior owners of that communications center Cunningham bought?

Anonymous said...

Maybe they should sell Gracedale too!!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Did you find out the prior owners of that communications center Cunningham bought?"

Yes, and that information was posted here a week ago.

Anonymous said...

A 15 % increase will amount to about $1.50 a week.. Give me a break..he's being responsible..If the Northampton county council would have went along with Stoffa's modest increase last year they wouldn't be dealing with the present crisis..Stop freaking whining about ridiculously small increase...These same people crying have no problem asking employees to take hundreds a month in salary and benefit cuts so they can keep there $1.00 a week ...You want to cry about taxes go see your local school board..

Anonymous said...

Even Cunningham wouldnt have been looking for this increase if he had proposed smaller modest sane increases in the past...Like many, however, political considerations always take the forefront and politicos ignore their responsibilities! Ken Smith, a Republican mind you, did uit right..He had modeast increase every year and kept bethlehem in good shape, Look at Allentown and easton and tell me who has done a better job..

Anonymous said...

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Did you find out the prior owners of that communications center Cunningham bought?"

Yes, and that information was posted here a week ago.

12:06 PM

Gosh Bernie, You are good! We missed that. We just can't leave the computer. That's all there is to say.

Anonymous said...

"Our taxes are high enough for the minuscule services that County government provides."

Let's see what County government services provides -

Archives
Assessment Office
Bridge Division
Civil Division
Community and Economic Development
Conservation District
Controller's Office
Cooperative Extension
Coroner's Office
Corrections
County Council
County Administration
County Nursing Home
County Solicitor's Office
Criminal Division
District Attorney
Emergency Management
Enhanced 911
Farmland Preservation
Orphans Court Division
Parks and Recreation
Protection From Abuse
Public Defenders Office
Register of Wills
Tax Claim Office
Vector Control
Veteran's Affairs
Victim/Witness Services
Voters Registration
Weights and Measures

just to name a few...

Let's see what school districts provide -

Education for adults and children

If you ask me, you get more services for you tax dollar from County government than you do from School Districts. Your argument is lost because of your ignorance.

Anonymous said...

From 1:06

I forgot to mention these other County services -

Adult Probation
Area Agency on Aging
Children, Youth and Families
County Resident Prescription Plan
Court Reporters
Domestic Relations
Drug and Alcohol Counseling
DUI Program
Information Referral and Emergency Services
Juvenile Probation
Juvenile Detention
Law Clerks
Law Library
Magisterial District Courts
Mental Health Services
Pretrial Services
Recycling Program

just to name a few others...

Anonymous said...

What chance does this have of passing the Commissioners? Which of the R's will vote for this? Sorry but I don't see this budget passing.

Anonymous said...

At the end of the day, you have to pay for services.

Bernie O'Hare said...

That's true, and county goverment has little room to make wholesale cuts.

Anonymous said...

If the county closes the garden recycling center, guess what happens to much of the debris. It gets illegally dumped elsewhere. Just watch roadsides and park lands to see black plastic bags start appearing.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

If the county closes the garden recycling center, guess what happens to much of the debris. It gets illegally dumped elsewhere. Just watch roadsides and park lands to see black plastic bags start appearing.

**********************************

Or maybe the municipalities take responsibility for an issue that is rightfully theirs.

I live in Allentown, which has its own yard waste recycling site. Part of my trash fee is also to have yard waste pickup once a week.

I see no need to have my county tax dollars used to pay for those living in municipalities that don't collect their own.

Anonymous said...

The townships are all run by Republicans who are proud of no taxes. Yet they cry when the County cuts back on their welfare.

Get use to it. You want services, it cost money. Don't like, suck a pole.

Anonymous said...

Don Cunningham did exactly what his handlers told him to do and that's not representing us "We the People".

This is what you get when you support the establishment.

Anonymous said...

The great works are in full effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5LlplhtPPM

Anonymous said...

Those who profess that privatizing
aren't for the peoples interest; but
for the interest of the global elites
who suffer from grand illusions of being smarter and bright than the rest of us and who drool over the idea of control of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClqUcScwnn8

Anonymous said...

Just sell Gracedale...it is the answer to all problems!!

Anonymous said...

I'm pleading with all of you fight privatization at all cost it's not the answer. This is not a "we the people" solution - it's very evil.

Once it's gone it's gone - no turning back.