Buyer beware
This letter is to warn future buyers at property tax sales of the nightmares that could follow. I purchased two properties at the Oct. 3 Fayette County property tax sale. The first was supposed to be a trailer on a lot in Henry Clay. Two months later I learned that all I purchased was the trailer, no land. When you attend a delinquent property tax auction, you would think you’re getting property, not just a trailer.
The second was for four acres, also in Henry Clay. So after calming down over the trailer let down, I decided I could move this trailer to the four acres I purchased (problem solved). Not true. I was told the middle of January that the owners had hired an attorney, and it would be up to the judge whether or not they get it back. Once property goes to a tax auction, that should be it – done and over with. These people get how many chances to pay their taxes ?
On Feb. 11, I called the tax office to find out the status of this deal. I was told the sale was voided, property returned to owner. They didn’t even have the decency to call or notify me by mail of this.
So now I own a trailer on someone else’s property and nowhere to put it.
It’s now been over 4 months, and I’ve yet to see a dime of my money returned. Every time you call, it’s the same old runaround. I’m told it has to go through the proper channels. It didn’t have to go through any channels for them to take it. I would have been better off buying a CD. At least I would have gotten interest, instead of lending it to the courthouse.
When you purchase these properties, they make you pay with cash, which should be changed. You should pay by check and they should not be allowed to cash your check until you receive your property. All they did was borrow my money for four months.
I am not National City or PNC Bank. I’m just a hard-working taxpayer. If they need money that bad, why don’t they borrow it off their commissioner; he’s a millionaire, not me.
So I guess this means when tax time comes, take as long as you want to pay because it really doesn’t matter anyway, and anyone attending this year’s tax sale: buyer beware.
Laurie DeAngelo
Farmington
Growing Greener still funded
I am writing in response to the Feb. 18 article covering DEP Secretary McGinty’s visit to the abandoned strip mine in Brownsville and Luzerne Township.
The article covers an important topic, highlighting the extensive mine reclamation needs across the commonwealth. Unfortunately, the article leaves readers with the false impression that Growing Greener – the successful environmental initiative enacted under Republican Gov. Tom Ridge – is out of money. Indeed, statements that the program expires at the end of the fiscal year, and that funding for mine reclamation is about to expire, are simply false.
Gov. Rendell has proposed an $800 million environmental bond to expand Growing Greener, financed largely through $131 million in new annual waste fees. Debate over the size of the bond and how best to pay for it continues in Harrisburg. But your readers should know that under current law, Growing Greener is already slated to receive $88 million annually through June 2012. This funding comes from a $4.25/ton fee on waste disposal. Of this money, DEP is slated to receive about $38 million annually for mine reclamation, watershed protection and other uses. This supplements other funding sources, including federal mine reclamation money, which Congress needs to renew.
Debate over new spending is healthy, but citizens have a right to know the facts regarding the current environmental efforts being supported by their tax dollars.
Mary Jo White
Franklin
The writer is a Republican state senator from Franklin and is chairwoman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
Pinch of consolidation
The people of Fallowfield have had it with mergers, jointures, authorities, and now a Council of Governments.
First it was a merger of the school districts, and our taxes went up five fold.
Then we went out and worked to bring water to our community. The township supervisors appointed a group called “The Authority of Fallowfield”. They then merged our water company with Charleroi Water Authority, and the price of water doubled. Then someone said we should have sewage in the township. So, away we go again. No one was asked if we wanted it, or if the people could afford it. They just went ahead and did it. The authority, who are they? I don’t know, does anyone?
Now, the poor citizens of Fallowfield are scratching to make ends meet. After school taxes, property taxes, double water bills and now my sewage bill last month was $133.40. Gee wiz, that’s a lot for just my little wife and me. We may have to go back to the old outhouse – soon.
Think about this: Mon Valley Progress Council built a big beautiful highway into Pittsburgh. Those using the road have trouble finding a place to park and parking is expensive.
What Joe Kirk and his council should have spent all those billions on was a rapid transit system up into the Valley. Remember our streetcars? I wish we still had them. Cheap, dependable and no parking fees.
C.W. Griffith
Fallowfield