Local corporate behavior typical
So PIRHL Development wants an assessment reduction? Don’t we all? This company made a presentation to the Gallatin Avenue Concerned Citizens Group several years ago, and we rejected their plan. These houses are valued at between $85,000 and $95,000 and Mr. Burg proposes that the citizens of Uniontown, some of whom live in homes valued at half as much, pick up the slack and tax burden for this business.
Who are we kidding, here? I only hope their wish won’t be granted.
I am fed up to my limit with corporate greed. The Marcellus shale drillers promise safety measures but object to regulation that would safeguard our water supply. The windmill builders have a problem with taking steps to assure a neighboring property owner can have any semblance of peace and quiet. BP stands without comment. All that these corporations are concerned with is profit, and it’s too often at the expense of the citizenry.
From its very founding, this country has been based on greed. We took the land from the Indians and called it “ours.” When we found coal on their reservation, we broke the treaty, and pushed them off of that land as well. When Indian land wasn’t enough, we stole the rest from Mexico.
Any time a corporation’s interests come up against those of the private citizen, there’s not a snowball’s chance for the poor sap. Laws will be changed. Or eminent domain will be used to achieve the corporation’s goals. Government is right there with them, supporting them to the end. Just how free are we?
Gallatin Avenue’s grant money was to be used to clean up the neighborhood. The monies were to be under the supervision of the city’s redevelopment authority. Instead, redevelopment took charge, buying up homes on lower Maple Street and threatening eminent domain to the lone holdout for a sale.
Gallatin Avenue never approved this. We had set a limit of $20,000 for buying blight homes to be razed.
According to the Fayette County Assessment website, at least two of these homes were purchased for $70,000 each. Who stands to gain from the development that is planned for lower Maple Street? Will we also be paying the taxes for these homes? I would love to see an accounting of our grant money.
There is so much corruption in our society that it seems futile to try to do anything about it. If we’re not plundering our own, we’re off in other countries doing the same. I’m beginning to see why other cultures consider us the “great evil.”
We have raped this earth for everything of value without regard to the inevitable consequences. I’m ashamed of us.
To anyone who agrees that we should not have to “bail out” PIRHL, I strongly urge that you call the mayor or members of the city council to voice that opinion.
Janet Lomax is a resident of Uniontown.