April 21, 2010
Huntington Revolution: Non Residents Organize Against Occupation Taxation Without Representation
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – On-line users opposing the City of Huntington’s proposed occupation tax have created a Facebook page. Non Residents Against Huntington, WV Mayor’s Proposed 1% tax on Pay is designed as a public/political group to encourage residents to attend public hearings on the proposal. The next finance committee hearing will be Thursday, April 22, at 5:15 p.m. in Council Chambers at Huntington City Hall.
The Facebook page can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116334395060153&ref=mf
As of early Wednesday morning, the group has around 19 members attending and another 70 members who “may be” attending the hearing. Nearly 330 individuals have joined.
These workers who live outside the city have cogent, bitter, and thoughtful postings about the proposal. A threat to take their spending outside Huntington continues to bang loudly. It’s one that occurred too at the first public hearing.
BOYCOTT HUNTINGTON PROPOSED
“They may tax my pay check, but they won’t get money from my wallet,” wrote Cathy Landis Smith. “I won’t spend one cent in the City of Huntington.”
Darrell Nelson said, “This will drive business out of the city,” adding he and his co-workers would be paying about $40,000 a year under the proposal.
Jim Hollingsworth suggested a “boycott of anything manufactured” in the city. “ And, Joyce Walls called for boycotting downtown business.
“Quick stops at the market on the way home can wait until crossing the river,” wrote Hollingsworth.” Ohio’s workers are not appreciated where they are now.”
Ed Luzadder wrote, “Barboursville prepare for my money.”
MOVE OUTSIDE, WORK OUTSIDE
The proposal exempts, for instance, retirees, disability payments, those making less than $10,000 a year, and those whose earned income comes from outside of the city.
Bill Weekley stated that on “his block” there would only be “three households paying the tax” due to retirees or residents earning income outside of the city.
ANGRY SUGGESTIONS
Several members indicated that Huntington’s mistake was made in 1978 when a mall went to Barboursville with the name “Huntington” on it. The taxing and fee situations within Huntington have, in their opinion, led to people moving outside the city limits. Rhonda Layne, specifically, called the tax a “county resident” bailout for the city.
Mary Jo Lewis stated that “crooks stole the police retirement fund why not use drug money or collect back taxes and fees … or, better yet ask Hurricane and Charleston how to run city government. Both do a much better job.”
Though, Charleston does not have the authority to impose such a tax under the “pilot” home rule project, Charlotte Spears predicts “if Mayor Wolfe gets by with it, it won’t be long before [Charleston Mayor] Danny Jones tries it.”
FAST RESPONSE
Despite the group’s many negative suggestions, they deserve a compliment for letting their readers to learn of the quick feedback from the city to questions presented.
Cheryl Dalton, one of the page organizers, contacted Finance Director, Deron Runyon, asking for clarification about working from home outside the city limits. That afternoon, Runyon returned the call and explained the “draft” ordinance posted at various online sites is NOT a final proposal upon which City Council will vote. Anything could change during the hearing process.
A copy of the draft and explanation can be viewed at : http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/local/100416-staff-localoccupationtax.html
(Editor’s Note: Although the quoted non-residents are from the webpage stated, HNN nor Facebook has verified the “names” under which the comments are posted. We refer to the comments/posts, though, as representative of members of this group and others opposed to the one percent tax.)
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Huntington Revolution: Non Residents Organize Against Occupation Taxation Without Representation
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – On-line users opposing the City of Huntington’s proposed occupation tax have created a Facebook page. Non Residents Against Huntington, WV Mayor’s Proposed 1% tax on Pay is designed as a public/political group to encourage residents to attend public hearings on the proposal. The next finance committee hearing will be Thursday, April 22, at 5:15 p.m. in Council Chambers at Huntington City Hall.
The Facebook page can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116334395060153&ref=mf
As of early Wednesday morning, the group has around 19 members attending and another 70 members who “may be” attending the hearing. Nearly 330 individuals have joined.
These workers who live outside the city have cogent, bitter, and thoughtful postings about the proposal. A threat to take their spending outside Huntington continues to bang loudly. It’s one that occurred too at the first public hearing.
BOYCOTT HUNTINGTON PROPOSED
“They may tax my pay check, but they won’t get money from my wallet,” wrote Cathy Landis Smith. “I won’t spend one cent in the City of Huntington.”
Darrell Nelson said, “This will drive business out of the city,” adding he and his co-workers would be paying about $40,000 a year under the proposal.
Jim Hollingsworth suggested a “boycott of anything manufactured” in the city. “ And, Joyce Walls called for boycotting downtown business.
“Quick stops at the market on the way home can wait until crossing the river,” wrote Hollingsworth.” Ohio’s workers are not appreciated where they are now.”
Ed Luzadder wrote, “Barboursville prepare for my money.”
MOVE OUTSIDE, WORK OUTSIDE
The proposal exempts, for instance, retirees, disability payments, those making less than $10,000 a year, and those whose earned income comes from outside of the city.
Bill Weekley stated that on “his block” there would only be “three households paying the tax” due to retirees or residents earning income outside of the city.
ANGRY SUGGESTIONS
Several members indicated that Huntington’s mistake was made in 1978 when a mall went to Barboursville with the name “Huntington” on it. The taxing and fee situations within Huntington have, in their opinion, led to people moving outside the city limits. Rhonda Layne, specifically, called the tax a “county resident” bailout for the city.
Mary Jo Lewis stated that “crooks stole the police retirement fund why not use drug money or collect back taxes and fees … or, better yet ask Hurricane and Charleston how to run city government. Both do a much better job.”
Though, Charleston does not have the authority to impose such a tax under the “pilot” home rule project, Charlotte Spears predicts “if Mayor Wolfe gets by with it, it won’t be long before [Charleston Mayor] Danny Jones tries it.”
FAST RESPONSE
Despite the group’s many negative suggestions, they deserve a compliment for letting their readers to learn of the quick feedback from the city to questions presented.
Cheryl Dalton, one of the page organizers, contacted Finance Director, Deron Runyon, asking for clarification about working from home outside the city limits. That afternoon, Runyon returned the call and explained the “draft” ordinance posted at various online sites is NOT a final proposal upon which City Council will vote. Anything could change during the hearing process.
A copy of the draft and explanation can be viewed at : http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/local/100416-staff-localoccupationtax.html
(Editor’s Note: Although the quoted non-residents are from the webpage stated, HNN nor Facebook has verified the “names” under which the comments are posted. We refer to the comments/posts, though, as representative of members of this group and others opposed to the one percent tax.)
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