At last night's meeting of Northampton County Council, a public hearing was conducted on the request to grant a tax break known as a TIF for the conversion of long vacant Dixie Cip factory, located in Wilson Borough, into luxury apartments. Most speakers were pro-development. Most were there at the behest of the developer, Wilson Borough or the Wilson Area School District. No action was taken on the TIF application last night.
I'm in Philly today for an annual cycling event, so I'll post about the hearing on Monday.
There were several highlights, but the kicker was John Goffredo abandoning his post. While his work-Wife, Lori Vargo-Hefner overindulges little P.J. all the time, tonight she made a modest attempt to rein in his “ball busting.” J.P.’s reaction: he picked up his ball and went home. It should be disqualifying.
ReplyDeleteStop babbling. Are you for or against crony capitalism by Democrats in this case? Yes or no?
DeleteThis smells worse than trumps golf shoes.
ReplyDeleteSpoiler Alert:
ReplyDeleteAfter threatening to fire employees over a feigned lack of county funds, McClure supported giving crony corporate welfare to a shyster developer who's never developed anything and covers his deception with a phony website.
Theres that funny money again, future employment as an apartment manager?
DeleteThis is criminal- a multi-million dollar tax break to a company who's never built anything, with a bogus website? This is McCluless & Co. at their worst- good riddance!
DeleteSo, McClure's proposed county budget doesn't fund the employee pension plan next year, but he wants to give a tax break to a developer who has stated publicly that he doesn't need it? What a joke.
ReplyDeleteWho will be getting the kickbacks?
ReplyDeleteBest and fastest way to become rich today go to congress.
ReplyDeleteHaving been involved with the approval of the TIF for the Beth Works portion of the former Bethlehem Steel plant in Bethlehem, I would caution the County of Northampton on this decision. Others who have already commented have given reasons for the County to not approve its participation and I believe they are valid concerns. While I believe this is a project worth advancing, I think the commitment from public taxing entities, Wilson Borough and the Wilson School District, should end there. You might remember that the owners of the Martin Tower property pursued this maybe 15 years ago and the Bethlehem Area School District voted 'no'. Giving away the potential increase of County real estate taxes doesn't just impact Wilson residents, it affects every property owner throughout the County, because they will suffer any tax increases required by the County to make up for revenues lost through TIF participation. This is just my opinion, but the Dixie Cup project also seems to be far less of a regional redevelopment project than the Bethlehem Steel property. The project could proceed without the County's participation, so let it and see if it will be successful.
ReplyDeleteI decline to publish an anonymous coward who attacked Dana Grubb, He is neither running for office nor an elected official, but unlike you, stands behand what he writes with his name. If you identify yourself, I'll publish your venom. But you won't bc you are a coward.
DeleteGiovanni, Brown and Goffredo voted to give Lou Pektor a real estate property tax break to build warehouses in Upper Mt. Bethel Twp.
ReplyDeleteWhich was a smart vote for the Bangor School District taxpayers
Deletetotally different- there is nothing in UMBT! And the plan wasn't for apartments!
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