tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61910382824366230112023-03-16T08:53:20.519-07:00Palm Bay FreedomUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-13810087370919525512013-10-09T16:05:00.001-07:002013-10-09T16:05:48.578-07:00Councilman Harry Santiago Jr. Bio - Jul 15th, 2013<a href="http://palmbay.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=9ead3d4d-3eb9-1031-bc96-29b50f2ba9d1#.UlXg9SZOxIw.blogger">Councilman Harry Santiago Jr. Bio - Jul 15th, 2013</a><br />
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<object data="data:application/x-silverlight-2," height="283" id="silverlightControl" type="application/x-silverlight-2" width="320"> <param name="initParams" value="AutoStart=False, StartPoint=0, EndPoint=217, SourceID=1302, SourceType=clip, EnableClosedCaptions=False, EmbedClipGuid=3fb072a5-39f1-4952-97e8-7445d04373d4" /><param name="source" value="http://palmbay.granicus.com/core/Players/SL/ModernPlayer.xap"/><param name="background" value="black" /><param name="minRuntimeVersion" value="4.0.50401.0" /><param name="autoUpgrade" value="true" /><param name="enablehtmlaccess" value="true"/><a href="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=149156&v=4.0.50401.0" style="text-decoration:none"> <img src="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=161376" alt="Get Microsoft Silverlight" style="border-style:none"/> </a> </object> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-55141274779425024662012-09-21T09:44:00.000-07:002012-09-21T09:44:37.529-07:00Palm Bay Council Passes 3 Year Fire Union Contract<object data="data:application/x-silverlight-2," height="283" id="silverlightControl" type="application/x-silverlight-2" width="320">
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</object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-72855201975581874522012-03-13T18:03:00.001-07:002012-03-13T18:07:40.229-07:00Brown Bag 100 / Boycott 0<object data="data:application/x-silverlight-2," height="283" id="silverlightControl" type="application/x-silverlight-2" width="320"> <param name="initParams" value="AutoStart=True, StartPoint=6811, EndPoint=7556, SourceID=996, SourceType=clip, EnableClosedCaptions=False, EmbedClipGuid=fe0155d2-526c-42a3-8950-1963c0e0bf99" /><param name="source" value="http://palmbay.granicus.com/core/Players/SL/ModernPlayer.xap"/><param name="background" value="black" /><param name="minRuntimeVersion" value="4.0.50401.0" /><param name="autoUpgrade" value="true" /><param name="enablehtmlaccess" value="true"/><a href="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=149156&v=4.0.50401.0" style="text-decoration:none"> <img src="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=161376" alt="Get Microsoft Silverlight" style="border-style:none"/> </a> </object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-83159468039413695482011-10-08T09:21:00.000-07:002011-10-08T09:21:28.968-07:00Fire Fee Still fires up citizens in Palm Bay<object data="data:application/x-silverlight-2," height="283" id="silverlightControl" type="application/x-silverlight-2" width="320"> <param name="initParams" value="AutoStart=False, StartPoint=9920, EndPoint=10764, SourceID=921, SourceType=clip, EnableClosedCaptions=False, EmbedClipGuid=550474d7-03ce-4c00-8675-62f326cbf187" /><param name="source" value="http://palmbay.granicus.com/core/Players/SL/ModernPlayer.xap"/><param name="background" value="black" /><param name="minRuntimeVersion" value="4.0.50401.0" /><param name="autoUpgrade" value="true" /><param name="enablehtmlaccess" value="true"/><a href="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=149156&v=4.0.50401.0" style="text-decoration:none"> <img src="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=161376" alt="Get Microsoft Silverlight" style="border-style:none"/> </a> </object><br />
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It's no surprise that a potential fire fee that is not off the table, yet, keeps coming up in council meetings. At a time when most of our residents are hurting financially, the last thing we ever need is an added expense to add insult to injury. <br />
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As unemployment continue to rise, the price of food increasing, home values continues plummeting, and foreclosures and short sales becoming the norm in the real estate industry, many residents are making sure that an additional fee is neither added on their utility bill or tax bill without their consent, first. One Palm Bay citizen demanded that a letter be sent out telling people what the fire fee is for.<br />
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Council Member Ken Greene said that "the fire fee is not for the pension," which already has the tax-payers in the hole for $50,000,000 and will continue to rise by over $80,000,000 as pensioners are promised at least 100% of their salaries at retirement with cost-of-living adjustments which can certainly put many of these bloated pensions over the top, and push residents (as well as small business owners) over the edge. Make no mistakes, the fire fee is considered for the purpose of paying the pensions either directly or indirectly. However you want to put it, the fact that a pension fund is out of control and growing, and more money is being sought by fleecing residents indicates that an ever-growing problem isn't going away, and the answer seems to be simply to find new forms of revenue - according to three sitting council members. <br />
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Even a report by the Finance Department admitted that additional cuts will have to be made over the next 2 to 3 years just to build an emergency reserve fund which we don't have right now. <br />
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Please keep in mind that there will be a phone town hall meeting toward the end of October concerning the fire fee. I encourage all to attend, as the message need to resonate in the minds of our elected public servants that they need to adhere to the people and the charter.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-9977551789316555542011-09-07T06:14:00.000-07:002011-09-07T06:15:23.907-07:00Take, Take, Take!!!<object data="data:application/x-silverlight-2," height="283" id="silverlightControl" type="application/x-silverlight-2" width="320"> <param name="initParams" value="AutoStart=False, StartPoint=0, EndPoint=4794, SourceID=906, SourceType=clip, EnableClosedCaptions=False, EmbedClipGuid=b160732a-ca06-4282-8e76-e4f2a3a7ba52" /><param name="source" value="http://palmbay.granicus.com/core/Players/SL/ModernPlayer.xap"/><param name="background" value="black" /><param name="minRuntimeVersion" value="4.0.50401.0" /><param name="autoUpgrade" value="true" /><param name="enablehtmlaccess" value="true"/><a href="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=149156&v=4.0.50401.0" style="text-decoration:none"> <img src="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=161376" alt="Get Microsoft Silverlight" style="border-style:none"/> </a> </object><br />
AUDIO OF SEPTEMBER 6th BUDGET MEETING<br />
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Take, take, take... is how one Palm Bay resident put it. Like an unquenchable fire, City Council (with the exception of Council Member Isnardi) agrees to raise the tax rate to $9.00 per $1,000 - making it a 97% increase from just five years ago when the millage rate was 4.6 in 2007. In addition to this, about four fees were considered for increases. Among them was the fair share impact fees, which affects development and improvements in our city. Council Members Michelle Paccionne, Ken Greene, and William Capote (Deputy Mayor) voted for all increases.<br />
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I was glad see some new faces at the meeting, as residents came to speak out against the tax rate increase and the potential fire fee that is still on the table as Council is awaiting the ($50,000) study.<br />
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The biggest problem, as Mayor John Mazziotti and Council Member Kristine Isnardi continue to expose, is the pension fund which is potentially $50,000,000 in the whole and will leave tax-payers having to pay for the unfunded mandate.<br />
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As it seems, for now, there will be NO road work for one year, and it would appear that most tax payments (i.e. going to Palm Bay) is primarily going to pay salaries and pensions, while services pertaining to infrastructure diminishes.<br />
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It is as I said before, the road to serfdom, where the few benefit at the expense of the many. And while our home values continue to diminish, our jobs become few, and energy and food prices rise; the majority on City Council keep saying, "TAKE, TAKE, TAKE!" <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO, YET, TAKE THE POLL IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER. THANK YOU.</span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-19428042882859401262011-09-02T15:34:00.000-07:002011-09-02T15:34:35.484-07:00Is Palm Bay Scaring Away Businesses and Jobs?When President John F. Kennedy was elected, he was faced with a dilemma: a declining national economy, rising unemployment rates, and budget deficits. So what did he do? He dropped the top marginal tax rate by 22% and deregulated industries. The result was phenomenal, as not only did government revenue grew by over 62%, but unemployment shrank as the private sector grew. <br />
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In President Kennedy's own words:<br />
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"... an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenues to balance our budget just as it will never produce enough jobs or enough profits… In short, it is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now."<br />
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History repeated itself, once again, when President Ronald Reagan also inherited an economic nightmare, as well. Again, the action taken was even more sweeping tax rate cuts which increased total tax revenue by 99% in the first year of his administration, and income tax revenue, alone, increased by 54% by the end of his term.<br />
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How can these lessons from the past, help us in Palm Bay? One issue that our city suffers from is a dismal commercial base in comparison to our neighbors (e.g. Melbourne) and lack of a thriving downtown. The results are less commercial ad-valorem tax base and the majority of the tax burden laid on the shoulders of residents to provide most of the revenue.<br />
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So, how do we attract more businesses to Palm Bay? While I agree that reducing the property tax rate is a great way to attract more home buyers and businesses, alike; I think we also have to look at the message we're sending to businesses, with the fees we expect them to pay on their way into our city.<br />
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Look at <a href="http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Florida/palmbay_fl/titlexibusinessregulations/chapter110businesstaxes?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:palmbay_fl$anc=JD_110.44">Ordinance 110.44 Receipt Tax Schedule</a>, for example. Here you see the bigger a business' commercial building, the more money that business has to pay to our municipal government. But it doesn't stop there, the more employees a business takes on, the more it also has to pay in fees. The message is quite simple: If you move your business to Palm Bay, expand your operation, and provide more jobs, we'll take more money from your pockets.<br />
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Also, take a look at <a href="http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Florida/palmbay_fl/titlexviilanddevelopmentcode/chapter171fairshareimpactfees?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:palmbay_fl">Ordinance 171 Fair Share Impact Fees</a>, as another example. While the intent of <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0100-0199/0163/Sections/0163.3161.html">Florida Statute 163.3161</a> “Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act,” says it is "necessary so that local governments can preserve and enhance present advantages; encourage the most appropriate use of land, water, and resources, consistent with the public interest; overcome present handicaps; and deal effectively with future problems that may result from the use and development of land within their jurisdictions." <br />
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The three Impact Fees (i.e. Park Police, and Fire Impact Fees; Transportation Facilities Impact Fees; and Water, Waste Water, and Water Impact Fees) of our municipal ordinance meets these objectives by "... requiring all new impact generating land development activity to contribute its proportionate share of the funds, land, or public facilities/equipment necessary to accommodate any impacts on public park, police and fire facilities/equipment having a rational nexus to the proposed land development for which the need is reasonably attributable to the proposed development." These impact fees can be as high as $957 for a single family unit. No where in the Florida Statute do I see fees as a necessity to "encourage the most appropriate use of land, water, and resources, consistent with the public interest," as stated in the Statute.<br />
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After all, if new edifices are to be constructed in our city, the property taxes incurred by businesses and home owners on the land purchased and their improvements, as well as the new business activities that will come as a result of those new constructions will most certainly pay off in the long run - increasing the long-term revenue stream of our local government. A subtle but long-term revenue increase will allow the City of Palm Bay local government to grow in proportion to the growth of population and revenue in a more steady pace while stabilizing or reducing local property taxes, rather than growing exponentially off the explosive revenue from fees that may last a year or two but wain over the next decade, or so. We've seen this happen from the year 2005 to 2007, where new departments were created, more employees were hired, bigger salaries given, and luxurious pensions were handed out - all at our expense - in the hopes that the same level of growth is maintained. However, when the market tanked, it's a lot harder to take the toy away from the child than it is to give it away.<br />
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If Palm Bay were to eliminate these fees, we wouldn't be the first to extend a helping hand to new comers and developers. <a href="http://www.thewakullanews.com/content/impact-fees-eliminated">Wakulla County is eliminating impact fees</a>, all together. The reason, as some of the commissioners stated, " the amount of money a large commercial business would have to pay is reason enough not to come to that place... I want to remove every obstacle there is for commercial growth. I want to see commercial growth in this county, whatever it takes to get them here." The article goes on to say, "Those in favor of eliminating the impact fees argued that growth pays for itself in the form of other taxes." <br />
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In Texas, <a href="http://jacksonvilleprogress.com/local/x850295350/Bullard-to-remove-impact-fees">The City of Bullard, is also eliminating impact fees</a>, as well. As one council member said, "Bullard is considered a hot spot for development, but he believes the fees associated with building cause development to go around the city instead of inside it." <br />
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At a time of high unemployment (and foreclosures as a result), it is imperative to find new ways to encourage new market activities in our city, get people back to work, reduce spending and tax rates, and prioritize revenue towards infrastructure. Raising taxes and inventing new fees will only chase away both businesses, and along with them, jobs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-45188700523527260432011-08-31T12:21:00.000-07:002011-08-31T12:21:48.785-07:00More people losing property for late tax payments<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Florida Realtors<span class="reg">®</span> News</span></h1><div style="text-align: center;">Daily Briefing: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 <br />
A service for members of <a href="https://owa.metrowestappr.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=60f625dc269f4297ba59aa66c97447c3&URL=http%3a%2f%2fclick.email.floridarealtors.org%2f%3fju%3dfe2817777462037d721775%26ls%3dfdf011757d66057870137975%26m%3dfeff1070756103%26l%3dfecc177274660379%26s%3dfe0915747565027c77107375%26jb%3dffcf14%26t%3d" target="_blank"><span style="color: #43626e;">Florida Realtors</span></a></div><br />
Article Quote: "In the first nine months of this year, the owners of more than 200 properties in Hillsborough County have lost them in “tax deed sales,”... Who’s buying them? Often, it’s financial heavy hitters such as a JPMorgan Chase subsidiary and a former Massachusetts hedge-fund manager."<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><a href="http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=3&id=264238">READ MORE</a></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't done so, by now. Take the poll on the upper left hand corner. Thank you.</span></strong><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-90143923350130645042011-08-30T05:33:00.000-07:002011-08-30T05:33:38.909-07:00Suit aims to rid Palm Bay residents of stormwater fees<h6 itxtbad="1" itxtnodeid="163" style="text-align: center;">Written By: SUSANNE CERVENKA <br />
<a href="http://www.floridatoday.com/">FLORIDA TODAY</a></h6>Article Quote: "It's a mess. It's basically a regressive tax... The people with small houses on small lots are paying the same as big houses on big lots."<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><a href="http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110830/NEWS01/108300318/Suit-aims-rid-Palm-Bay-residents-stormwater-fees?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home">READ MORE</a></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Also, if you haven't done so, yet. Take the poll at the upper left hand corner.</span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-32242548841221152842011-08-15T17:04:00.000-07:002011-08-16T06:03:11.856-07:00When Did Public Servants Become Our Masters?Below are three, very short, videos concerning the impending dangers looming on the horizon for every State, County, and Local governments across the fruited plain of America. It will make your head spin!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BduQxAugn4c" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nEW5ZJt1xto" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_IUPhVM72hk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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It used to be when anyone wanted a good paying job, he or she would go to either a trade school or college, receive a certificate or degree, and go work for a company in the private sector or start a business. It was hard work, it was competitive, and if you walked away with a six figure salary at the end of the day it was well deserved. After all, you would be paid what you're worth according to your ability to produce; and if you didn't work, you didn't get paid.<br />
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Take my grandpa, for example, after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after serving four years in combat missions during the Korean Conflict, he went to trade school and became a Licenced Master Electrician. He and another Veteran opened up their own electrician business. With hundreds of small and mid-sized business clientele, they made a pretty good living and build their own retirement. They finally closed their doors after almost 40 years of business. My Grandpa passed away a few years ago and received a formal military burial ceremony for serving his country with honor.<br />
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Another example is my wife's grandpa, who for over 40 years worked as a full-time maintenance man for a private land lord, owned and rented some homes of his own, and also had a painting business on the side. Today, he lives comfortably on an island in the Caribbean, with only the money he has saved up all those years.<br />
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I bring up these two examples because this used to be the norm for many past generations. They worked hard, paid their taxes, saved for their own retirement, and never complained about what they were left with after all those years of hard-toil. With the good Lord and good health, they were the masters of their own destiny and earned their keep.<br />
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However, all of that has changed, today. The recent Wall Street bubble and Real Estate bubble left many Americans with the euphoria that the good times were here to stay, and not only did greedy speculators capitalize on the artificial bubble, but so did government unions, all over America.<br />
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At a time when we're experiencing record unemployment rates and economic uncertainties in light of the fact that for the first time in the history of our nation, our bonds have been downgraded , one would get the sense that governments will be making similar cuts as private sector jobs are, right now. Unfortunately, and much to the chagrin of many hard-working taxpayers, that is not the case.<br />
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According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, from 1989 to 2009, government spending increased 66% to over five trillion dollars - federal, State, and Local. Much of that increase came in the way of higher salary and pensions that have spiked significantly in the six figures - in some cases over a half million dollars a year with free medical benefits and cost of living adjustments. Not bad, when you're the founder and CEO of a competitive company that provides goods that everybody voluntarily purchase without being forced against their will. But when it's a government worker making these exorbitant salaries and bloated pensions at the expense of taxpayers, and they have their own lobbyists and elected members making sure they get all the sweat heart deals; some how I get the feeling that people aren't voting with their feet, anymore.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-72979956187659093082011-08-05T18:28:00.000-07:002011-08-05T18:28:14.441-07:00Residents Voice Their ConcernsFor those who didn't make it out to the August 4th Council Meeting, here are some highlights. A lot of great comments and good points were made. Enjoy!<br />
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<object data="data:application/x-silverlight-2," height="283" id="silverlightControl" type="application/x-silverlight-2" width="320"> <param name="initParams" value="AutoStart=True, StartPoint=6328, EndPoint=9456, SourceID=892, SourceType=clip, EnableClosedCaptions=False, EmbedClipGuid=07d7e68f-ba34-44f8-9d5e-be8343a6c26e" /><param name="source" value="http://palmbay.granicus.com/core/Players/SL/ModernPlayer.xap"/><param name="background" value="black" /><param name="minRuntimeVersion" value="4.0.50401.0" /><param name="autoUpgrade" value="true" /><param name="enablehtmlaccess" value="true"/><a href="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=149156&v=4.0.50401.0" style="text-decoration:none"> <img src="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=161376" alt="Get Microsoft Silverlight" style="border-style:none"/> </a> </object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-79340219346876203272011-08-01T17:06:00.000-07:002011-08-01T17:13:10.104-07:00Why I’m running for Palm Bay City Council Seat 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDCkTNljoD4/Tjc9b8vXz-I/AAAAAAAAADU/ljQENllorKU/s1600/HARRY+IN+SUIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDCkTNljoD4/Tjc9b8vXz-I/AAAAAAAAADU/ljQENllorKU/s320/HARRY+IN+SUIT.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After living in New York City for almost 30 years, I realized that I was economically burdened by the following:<br />
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<ul><li>High taxes and more than one kind of taxation</li>
<li>Numerous and out-of-control fees</li>
<li>An ever-growing and corrupt local bureaucracy without accountability</li>
</ul>After the birth of my son, Antonio, I looked at several towns around America where me and my wife can raise our children and have the economic freedom that we haven’t experienced in the big city. That’s when we found the City of Palm Bay… and we fell in love with this town. We were attracted to the sunny skies, the lush vegetation, the beach and fishing recreation, the mixture of rural areas and small town neighborhoods, and the low taxes – relative to where we lived.<br />
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Unfortunately, and much to our chagrin, we find the same elements that turned our previous home into an expensive, crime-ridden city taking root in our city: Increasing property taxes, new fees to grab revenue, and a high-salary, big local government. If we continue this course, we will lose our city and quite possibly our homes.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ry7Ta5Xvzh8/Tjc97Q5w-nI/AAAAAAAAADY/f85Xj_Ggvtc/s1600/205519_1974788650758_1274328880_2376673_5592181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ry7Ta5Xvzh8/Tjc97Q5w-nI/AAAAAAAAADY/f85Xj_Ggvtc/s320/205519_1974788650758_1274328880_2376673_5592181_n.jpg" t$="true" width="240" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As your new City Council Member I will bring the following decisive agenda to our City Council:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lower property tax rates</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">No new fees and No old fees that are designed to grab revenue</li>
<li>A balanced budget every year</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A smaller and limited government that will provide essential services at top quality with a renewed focus on infrastructure (e.g. roads, sidewalks, etc…)E</li>
<li>Eliminate red-light cameras</li>
<li>Look at city ordinances which may be a burden to property owners and businesses</li>
<li>Let The People Vote! Abide by the City Charter and allow the people to decide if they want to pay more for services or projects.</li>
</ul><br />
I know that I will be only one of five Council Members, but I believe these things can happen with firm leadership, persistence and most of all, your help. I hope that you will lend me your support and help me get elected in November 2012 for Palm Bay City Council Member Seat 2.<br />
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I will be making frequent updates and sharing more on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/177745725623820/">facebook</a> as well as the release of my website.<br />
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Thank you and God Bless.<br />
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Harry Santiago Jr. <br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-3164483561920851552011-07-25T14:32:00.000-07:002011-07-25T14:32:22.748-07:00Let The People Vote - Part 3!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QN2TgFdxHHw/Ti3bcHAK5UI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ZoGMrtR3uzg/s1600/ballot+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QN2TgFdxHHw/Ti3bcHAK5UI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ZoGMrtR3uzg/s1600/ballot+paper.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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In the last blog I wrote, "<a href="http://palmbayfreedom.blogspot.com/2011/07/let-people-vote-part-2.html">Let The People Vote - Part 2</a>," I mentioned how Council Member Kristine Isnardi rightfully pointed out the potential legal danger of an excessive fire fee being implemented without the consent of "We The People." If you haven't read it, there's a short video where she explains this, briefly.<br />
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Mayor John Mazziotti - one of the members of City Council opposed to this fire fee along with Kristine Isnardi - was recently<a href="http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110725/NEWS01/107250306/Mazziotti-files-paperwork-Palm-Bay-mayor-run?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home"> interviewed in Florida Today</a> saying that cuts and re-prioritizing the budget is a solution to the economic woes that the City should consider, but a $300 fire fee "is not workable." Kudos to the Mayor and Kristine Isnardi who have been champions in this fight against excessive taxation.<br />
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We should remember that such an <a href="http://palmbayfreedom.blogspot.com/2011/07/hefty-taxes-for-palm-bay-residents.html">excessive fee</a> along with a spike in property tax can not only send tax-paying residents packing, but can also further cripple our local economy - on top of the quagmire we're experiencing from Washington and Tallahassee. It's bad enough that we're about to lose a few thousand employees county-wide due to the <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388952,00.asp">space shuttle program</a> being shut down, but how much more fuel can be thrown in the fire with this absurd revenue-grabbing fee that only serves the purpose of the few at the expense of the many.<br />
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So far, the poll on the top left side of the blog has over 80% of Palm Bay residents eager to vote those Council Members, who vote for this outrageous new tax, out of City Council. But no other venue has really exhibited the frustration of the hard-working tax-payers of Palm Bay than the new Facebook group called "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/258552574161627">Ax the Palm Bay Fire Tax</a>." With well over 250 members - since the date of this blog - and growing rapidly, Palm Bay residents are venting there concerns of how this new tax will affect their livelihood. the consensus is that residents don't want their taxes raised or a new tax (i.e. fee) implemented, but that City Council should look at cuts that should be made in light of these current economic times.<br />
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Every effort should be made, on behalf of Palm Bay tax-payers, to <a href="http://www.palmbayflorida.org/citycouncil/council/index.html">contact</a> their City Council Members and let them know you feel about the new fire fee, raising property taxes, and not making any significant cuts that mirror the current revenue flow that is creating the kind of budget woes we're experiencing. <br />
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If the people speak as one voice, we can deter this disaster awaiting to happen. The least City Council can do is to Let The People Vote!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-10423534924895200052011-07-22T16:05:00.000-07:002011-07-22T16:05:26.504-07:00City wrestles with budget woes<div style="text-align: center;">By Dan Garcia</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myhometownnews.net/">Hometown News</a></div><br />
PALM BAY - If you think there will be any fat in the proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal year, you are mistaken, city officials said.<br />
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In preparing the upcoming 2011-12 budget, city officials said their budget is already based on bare-bones revenues.<br />
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Meanwhile, operating costs continue to increase, forcing the city to cut spending and raise the tax rate.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=82976">Click Here To Read More</a></strong></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-66697793688902669912011-07-22T15:09:00.000-07:002011-07-22T15:09:45.257-07:00City studies charging residents a 'fire fee'<div style="text-align: center;">By Dan Garcia</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myhometownnews.net/">Hometown News</a></div><br />
PALM BAY - You may have to pay a "fire fee" to the city of Palm Bay - whether or not you ever have a fire.<br />
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Strapped for funds just like any other municipality, the city is considering imposing a separate fire fee that would help make up for a shortfall in tax revenue, city officials said.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=82974">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a></span></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-76235628115188184312011-07-19T07:09:00.000-07:002011-07-19T07:09:20.443-07:00Another ATF Arms Sales Scandal: 'Operation Castaway' by James Heiser<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">by James Heiser</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://thenewamerican.com/">The New American</a></span></div><br />
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The new scandal centering on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) makes it clear that “Operation Fast and Furious” was not the agency’s only program for putting firearms into the hands of foreign criminals. It is becoming clear that a second misguided effort to track arms sales to the Third World – “Operation Castaway” – ended up supplying weapons to criminals in Honduras and Puerto Rico which were used in violent crimes.<br />
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Operation Castaway – like its sibling, Operation Fast and Furious – began with the purported mission of decreasing the illegal sale of firearms. In the latter operation, the ATF’s Phoenix office used gun stores in the Southwest to track so-called “straw purchases” that placed firearms in the hands of foreign criminals. (In a “straw purchase,” a person, usually an American citizen, buys firearms with the intention of reselling them to individuals who cannot legally own them.) “Operation Castaway” allegedly operated in Florida with a similar mission, and ended in the same way: Rather than the "sting" operation being contained in a way that would have prevented the weapons from getting into the hands of foreign criminals, the firearms purchased in Florida flowed freely into Central America.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/8252-another-atf-arms-sales-scandal-qoperation-castawayq"><span style="font-size: large;">READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE</span></a></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-64272936213257861102011-07-12T06:15:00.000-07:002011-07-12T06:15:09.981-07:00Most Residents Opposed To New Fire Fee<h1>Fire fees proposal divides Palm Bay City Council</h1>Palm Bay resident Lew Richards supports the work of firefighters and understands that the city's budget is stretched, but in belt-tightening times for many in the city, he won't get behind a proposed fire fee.<br />
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Read More...<br />
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<a href="http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110712/NEWS01/107120327/Fire-fees-proposal-divides-Palm-Bay-City-Council?odyssey=nav|head">http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110712/NEWS01/107120327/Fire-fees-proposal-divides-Palm-Bay-City-Council?odyssey=nav|head</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-36370943146509853392011-07-08T21:01:00.000-07:002011-07-08T21:01:14.870-07:00LET THE PEOPLE VOTE - PART 2!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcWlUHS_0pc/ThfO8vQ2JDI/AAAAAAAAADM/mmo8mep0gnc/s1600/bull+horn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcWlUHS_0pc/ThfO8vQ2JDI/AAAAAAAAADM/mmo8mep0gnc/s1600/bull+horn.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Here we are, once again, demanding from our elected public servants the right that our forefathers have fought for and shed blood, sweat, and tears: LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!<br />
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Is there anyone else on our City Council that believes in the VOICE of the People other than Council Member Kristine Isnardi and Mayor John Mazzioti? Why not LET THE PEOPLE VOTE? Unless an individual on the City Council have a personal agenda that is against the will of the masses and in the best interest of the few. This most certainly takes the term "General Welfare" to a whole new level - more like "Specific Welfare." The people don't have a say in the matter, and that's that! Right?<br />
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The video below is only 13 minutes long:<br />
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Council Member Kristine Isnardi rightfully brings up Article VI, Section 6.02 of the City Charter which states:<br />
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<em>"Before the governing body for the city may levy <strong>ANY</strong> special assessment involving more than fifty (50) property owners or involving a project expenditure of greater than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), the proposed assessment must first be approved, in writing, by a majority vote of the affected property owners who return a ballot."</em><br />
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The key word as she intelligently points out is "ANY." If a $300 firefighters fee is imposed on the home owner's of Palm Bay it would be categorized under Non-Ad Valorum Assessments, which is defined under Florida Statutes, Title XIV, Chapter 197.3632, as:<br />
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<em><span class="Number">(d) </span><span class="Text Intro Justify">“Non-ad valorem <span class="Highlight">assessment</span>” means only those <span class="Highlight">assessment</span>s which are not based upon millage and which can become a lien against a homestead as permitted in s. 4, Art. X of the State Constitution.</span></em><br />
<div class="Paragraph"><em><span class="Number">(e) </span><span class="Text Intro Justify">“Non-ad valorem <span class="Highlight">assessment</span> roll” means the roll prepared by a local government and certified to the tax collector for collection.</span></em></div><div class="Paragraph"></div><div class="Paragraph"><span class="Text Intro Justify">Since "ANY" special assessment (that means ALL assessments) would fall under Non-Advolerum Assessment, then according to our municipal charter, the firefighters fee has to be approved by the electorate of Palm Bay.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZaxdXA-wco/ThfOENwRubI/AAAAAAAAADI/I_1RxU0yeCE/s1600/Ad+Valorem+vs.+Non+Ad+Valorem0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZaxdXA-wco/ThfOENwRubI/AAAAAAAAADI/I_1RxU0yeCE/s400/Ad+Valorem+vs.+Non+Ad+Valorem0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="Paragraph"><br />
<span class="Text Intro Justify">Otherwise, imposing this fee without our approval would be illegal and nullified and any collected fees would have to be returned to Palm Bay homeowners. (This process would cost the city even more money). Of course, if it were not a Non-Advolerum Assessment then it would simply be a voluntary fee that individual homeowners may or may not participate. </span><br />
</div><div class="Paragraph"></div><div class="Paragraph"><span class="Text Intro Justify">The City Council voted, 4 to 1, for the proposed tax hike of 9.0 Mil (or a 20% increase). The $300 firefighters fee is tabled until legal opinion is obtained by the local circuit courts. Public hearing will be held on:</span><br />
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</div><div class="Paragraph"></div><div class="Paragraph"><span class="Text Intro Justify"><strong>Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 6:30 p.m., and then on</strong></span></div><div class="Paragraph"><span class="Text Intro Justify"><strong>Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.</strong></span><br />
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</div><div class="Paragraph"><span class="Text Intro Justify">It behooves us to <a href="http://www.palmbayflorida.org/citycouncil/council/index.html">contact our elected public servants on the City Council</a> before these dates and to attend these public hearings, as well. As Council Member Kristine Isnardi eluded to in the meeting, there will be many more foreclosures as a result of this tax increase/added fee which if it were not for this revenue-grabbing thievery, can save taxpayers hundreds of dollars a month and can go towards mortgage payments and actually keeping our homes, instead of losing them.</span><br />
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</div><div class="Paragraph"></div><div class="Paragraph"><span class="Text Intro Justify">LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!!!</span><br />
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</div><div class="Paragraph"></div><div class="Paragraph"><span class="Text Intro Justify">Harry Santiago Jr. </span></div><div class="Paragraph"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-53188895793429574922011-07-06T14:04:00.000-07:002011-07-06T14:14:22.917-07:00Hefty Taxes For Palm Bay Residents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKaKqQJ0AIM/ThTMPkZBeiI/AAAAAAAAACw/00riF1GQyMY/s1600/Man+Carrying+Tax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKaKqQJ0AIM/ThTMPkZBeiI/AAAAAAAAACw/00riF1GQyMY/s320/Man+Carrying+Tax.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On July 7th our City Council will have a </span><a href="http://www.palmbayflorida.org/citycouncil/meetings/documents/scm070711_a.pdf"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">special meeting</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> on just how high our tax-rates will go. Here are some examples:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Current Millage Rate 7.50 $19,432,409</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Proposed Rate 9.00 $23,318,891</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Roll-Back Rate 9.68 $25,072,731</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Note: The word "Roll-Back" is a double-think speech designed to make you perceive that a higher tax rate in the face of declining home values is justified. (If you're willing to buy into this terminology, then I got some beach front property on Mars I'm selling if you're willing to pay into that, as well). It is simply an increase in our tax rates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">According to Brevard County Property Appraiser, our gross taxable value decreased by $744,004,478 (or 29%). I believe the real drop is much more than this because the decrease in residential properties is more than the decrease in commercial properties. This is illustrated on the </span><a href="http://www.brevardpropertyappraiser.com/mainhtml/PropertyValuesDecline_2008_2011.asp"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Brevard County Appraiser's website</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Property values in Brevard County has declined by 42% for all properties from 2008 to 2011.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36p4bZLDzig/ThS4l_iiwFI/AAAAAAAAACk/hkLw4mLqDmo/s1600/MvDecrease2008_2011_Table.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36p4bZLDzig/ThS4l_iiwFI/AAAAAAAAACk/hkLw4mLqDmo/s640/MvDecrease2008_2011_Table.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Considering that Palm Bay's gross taxable value have decreased in one year by more than two-thirds of what Brevard County Total Properties' market value have lost in three years, I would say that Palm Bay residential properties are making a harder-than-usual decline. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When you take into consideration Palm Bay's plummeting home values along with 10.5 percent unemployment and </span><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015495039_shuttle03.html?prmid=head_main"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kennedy Space Center laying off 1,900 people</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> by July 22nd of this year, I think the last thing we should be talking about is raising tax rates and adding fees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In fact, if we raise tax rates alone, in spite of the lower property values, it will cause six things to happen in Palm Bay in the next few years:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(a) Property values will continue to decline and then stagnate at a certain low</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(b) Homeowners will leave and the city will depopulate</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(c) Investors will prefer to risk their capital in other cities with lower tax-rates and less or no fees</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(d) The lack of capital and new home buyers will continue to erode the city's economy and go bankrupt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(e) Businesses will pack up and leave causing massive unemployment</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(f) Crime will exponentially increase</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In case you think I'm exaggerating, this has already happened to other cities around the United States. Economist Dr. Stephen J.K. Walters and Historian Louis Miserendino wrote a paper for the Maryland Journal called </span><a href="http://www.mdpolicy.org/docLib/20101214_MarylandJournalWalters.pdf"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"How To Make Baltimore A Superstar City"</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> where these two gentlemen researched, what they called, "THE GREAT EVACUATION OF BALTIMORE... between 1950 and 2008" In this great analysis they compare Baltimore to two other cities that also saw massive depopulation, as well: Boston and San Francisco. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this paper they described how all three cities saw double digit declines in population, jobs, and exponential jump in crime. However, between the years 1980 and 2000, only San Francisco and Boston saw a major come-back in population, jobs, and falling crime, whereas Baltimore continued to do worse. The common denominator for San Francisco and Boston's success was lower tax rates. Baltimore raised tax rates, thinking that lower property values would compensate for the revenue-grabbing municipality. In fact, Dr. Walters make a great point, saying:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Berkeley-Book; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Berkeley-Book; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Those who argue that property taxes “don’t matter much” frequently cite Baltimore’s</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">generally lower property values as an offset to the city’s higher tax rate. In a</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">world where property never decays, or where owners do not care about future returns</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">on their investments, this argument might have some merit; in the real world,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it is nonsense.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's actually quite simple: higher property values are a result of lower tax rates and lower property values are a result of higher tax rates. Now, add a fee to higher tax rates and you can kiss your "bedroom community" goodbye. As the declining property values erode home equity, so will renovations and upgrades diminish overtime. Real property equity is an integral part of an investor's credit establishment to further expand their operation - which in turn creates more jobs. Without the incentive of lower tax rates, the real job creators (i.e. private sector) will decide to take their capital elsewhere.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If City Council approves these higher property tax rates and added fees, then it will be a very, very long time before we'll ever see a real estate bounce in Palm Bay. Until then, we tax payers will get stuck with this heft bill.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Harry Santiago Jr.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-3795018016671992462011-06-24T14:31:00.000-07:002011-06-24T15:45:39.240-07:00LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HR7TTw-RTP4/TgTyINPTiwI/AAAAAAAAACg/8_duQ6lKWVw/s1600/let+the+people+vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HR7TTw-RTP4/TgTyINPTiwI/AAAAAAAAACg/8_duQ6lKWVw/s1600/let+the+people+vote.jpg" /></a></div><br />
"LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!!!"<br />
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Why not? After all, who would ever be opposed to the democratic process of allowing the people to decide how much money they want to spend on government? I know... crazy idea, right? <br />
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Especially when you know 3 out of 5 of your City Council Members want to raise your millage to what would be the highest in Brevard County at 9.875 per $1,000 of assessed value (dangerously close to the State allowable cap of 10 per $1,000). But that's not all, how about a possible $300 annual Fire Fee on top of your tax bill. Sounds unbelievable? Here is the audio below, it's about an hour and forty seven minutes, but considering that Council is about to suck you dry, you should really hear what they have to say:<br />
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<a href="http://palmbay.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=875">http://palmbay.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=875</a><br />
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William Capote, Michelle Paccione, and Ken Greene are about to pull magical rabbits out of their hats. They will attempt the unthinkable: to persuade the majority of Palm Bay residents that it is good to raise taxes and add fees in the midst of what most economic analysts are calling a depression. These three Council Members are about to commit a grave error that will economically crush our municipality and make Palm Bay a ghost town in a matter of a year or two if they decide to go along with this glorified theft.<br />
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One concerned citizen, Tres Holton, who you hear toward the end of the audio said that adding a fee even if the tax rates were dropped will cause many median priced homes to see an increasing impact more quickly than higher priced homes.<br />
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Here is what Tres means:<br />
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Let's say you have a house worth $120,000 in today's market. At 7.5 Millage you are paying $900 for your annual tax bill. Now, let's say your house losses 25% of it's value the following year and is assessed at $90,000. At a lower rate of 7.0 Millage you are paying $630 for your annual tax bill. That's $270 less than last year's bill (It's amazing how a half a millage can save you hundreds of dollars - I digress). It's called a wash or a roll-back. But now add a $300 Fire Fee and you pay $930 or $30 MORE than what you've paid last year. So here is how it looks:<br />
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Last year:<br />
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$120,000 X .0075 = $900 + $0 Fire Fee = $900<br />
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Next Year (assuming 25% Loss in Value):<br />
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$90,000 X .0070 = $630 + $300 Fire Fee = $930<br />
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Now, let's change it up a bit and say you own a $375,000 home in today's market. At 7.5 Millage you are paying $2,812.50 for your annual tax bill. Now, let's say your house also losses 25% of it's value the following year and is assessed at $281,250. At the lower 7.0 Millage you are paying $1,968.75 for your annual tax bill. That's $843.75 less than last year's bill. Now add a $300 Fire Fee and you still pay a much lower $2,268.75 or $543.75 LESS than what you've paid last year. So here is how it looks, again:<br />
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Last year:<br />
<br />
$375,000 X .0075 = $2,812.50 + $0 Fire Fee = $2,812.50<br />
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Next Year (assuming 25% Loss in Value):<br />
<br />
$281,250 X .0070 = $1,968.75 + $300 Fire Fee = $2,268.75<br />
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Here is a good question: How many $375,000 homes are in Palm Bay? My latest MLS search revealed "0" for the past year from the date of this blog; that is "None" or "Nada" (that's Spanish for nothing). In fact, within a year of the date of this blog, Palm Bay residential homes' median sell price is $68,900 (Brevard County's Median Home Price is $99,475) and just last year alone Palm Bay local real estate market lost over 10% of its value and will see another double digit dip this year as well, according to most real estate analysts.<br />
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So if Palm Bay homes are under the median home price for the County, and according to the example provided above we would still pay a higher tax bill even if the millage rate were lower and the fee added; how much more will we pay if the millage rate went up and a Fire Fee were added? What would it do to home values? What would it do to businesses? What would it do to jobs in the private sector? How many more families just scraping by and living paycheck to paycheck will lose their homes?<br />
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We are faced with food and energy inflation, devaluing dollar, mounting debt, skyrocketing foreclosure rates, unemployment rates in the 20th percentile by most analysts' real estimates, and declining wages; and now you can add an increase to your tax bill.<br />
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Mayor John Mazziotti and Council Member Kristine Isnardi suggested that the Fire Fee go to a vote by the people in a special election. For obvious reasons, the other three aforementioned above voted down that great democratic idea.<br />
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I say... LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!!!<br />
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Harry Santiago Jr.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-26135252112319725852011-06-15T11:56:00.000-07:002011-06-15T11:56:24.374-07:006/15/11 Budget Workshop Cancelled Fo No Reason<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DVq92UEn0Y/TfkAPWadmII/AAAAAAAAACc/nzzzYw-e0Aw/s1600/cancelled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DVq92UEn0Y/TfkAPWadmII/AAAAAAAAACc/nzzzYw-e0Aw/s1600/cancelled.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><br />
Below is an excerpt from an email from Kieth Rigler, Chairman of the Conservative Constitutional Caucus (CCC):<br />
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<em>"Palm Bay has canceled to nights Budget Workshop, with no reason given. For now they say the Budget Workshops to be held on 6/23 and 6/30 will be held on those dates. Tomorrow night 6/16 there will be a regular council meeting, and I suggest we make some comments during the Public Comment time, at the end of the meeting, on the presentation given on 6/9. I will be getting a copy of it today and will pass it on asap. I can not understand how the City can start off with $11,000,000.00 short for 2011 and 2012, but our critical needs for the city is $5,000,000.00 of new spending."</em><br />
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It is important that we make to as many of these meetings as possible. It can make a big difference on next year's property tax.<br />
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Harry Santiago Jr.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-90910148793631540042011-06-14T14:30:00.000-07:002011-06-14T14:30:18.489-07:00US Housing Crisis Officially As Bad As Great Depression - CNBC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tmS9MZI0Ec/TffS204_qLI/AAAAAAAAACY/5kalvn41BAU/s1600/imagesCAWPH1P7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tmS9MZI0Ec/TffS204_qLI/AAAAAAAAACY/5kalvn41BAU/s1600/imagesCAWPH1P7.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><br />
Here is a very interesting article that has everybody on edge. Now analysts believe that the housing market is going through a depression - and one greater than in the Great Depression of the 1930's. Here is excerpt from the article that I think sets the motif for what's to come:<br />
<br />
"Prices continue to tumble despite affordability, which by most conventional metrics is near historic highs." Click on the link below and read more:<br />
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<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/43395857">US Housing Crisis Officially As Bad As Great Depression - CNBC</a><br />
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There is no doubt in my mind that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/09/nearly-half-of-americans-fear-depression_n_874406.html">rising unemployment</a> and <a href="http://www.valueexpectations.com/blogs/entirely-predictable-economic-dip06132011">dollar devaluation</a> by the federal reserve is causing so many of these low-balled homes remain at a distance from deserving home buyers. During times like this, we need to start thinking out of the box - and for most things go back to the principles of our nation's founders.<br />
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Harry Santiago Jr.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-43687643462997452802011-06-14T08:25:00.000-07:002011-06-14T08:25:24.000-07:00The Economic Statistic US Elites Keep ‘Hush-Hush’ by Ron RobinsMore on understanding our dire debt situation and how this can all fall on all localities in the U.S.<br /><br />Stay informed... stay strong.<br /><br />Harry<br /><br /><a href="http://lewrockwell.com/orig12/robins-r1.1.1.html">The Economic Statistic US Elites Keep ‘Hush-Hush’ by Ron Robins</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-46100265985864406642011-06-13T13:02:00.000-07:002011-06-13T13:02:51.250-07:00Are Higher Taxes On The Horizon?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MohX9XFDqRk/TfZsBawrBNI/AAAAAAAAACU/6nyUmqVhv0Q/s1600/City-Council-trying-to-maintain-City-services-without-raising-taxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MohX9XFDqRk/TfZsBawrBNI/AAAAAAAAACU/6nyUmqVhv0Q/s1600/City-Council-trying-to-maintain-City-services-without-raising-taxes.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><br />
On June 9th our City Council held a <a href="http://www.palmbayflorida.org/citycouncil/meetings/documents/scm060911_a.pdf">special workshop</a> to talk about the city's budget. It's usually in these special workshops where the precedent is set for very important decisions that affects our daily lives, and once again, another decision is about to made that I believe can hurt a lot of Palm Bay residents.<br />
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Concerned citizens showed up to hear the decisions of our elected public servants. One of them was the elected Chairman of the <a href="mailto:cccaucus@cfl.rr.com">Constitutional Conservative Caucus</a>, a local activist group dedicated to the principles of conservative limited government on the local and county level, Kieth Rigler, who noted some interesting details during the meeting.<br />
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One of those details was the admission of how the 2011's budget is already starting off with a $4,000,000 short-fall due to declining property values. No surprise there, since Brevard's three major cities have <a href="http://www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=216&Type=compare&Area1=37340&Area2=&Area3=">lost a combined 9.5% per quarter from 1st Quarter 2010 to 1st Quarter 2011</a>. Most analysts believe the housing market has gotten worse and will only get a lot more worse before it gets any better. This brings us to 2012's budget short-fall which is estimated to be around $6,000,000 (i.e. $2,000,000 more than 2011).<br />
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But don't worry, they will fix it. Apparently there were talks of... wait for it... wait for it... You Guessed It: RAISING OUR TAX RATES! From 7.5 Mil to 9.5 Mil (which pretty much will make us the highest Mil in the county unless Satellite Beach beats us to the punch). And you thought government was all out of ideas. In fact, to add injury to insult, possible new fees are in the works. Among these fees will be a new Fire fee. To quote Keith:<br />
<br />
<strong><em>"These are only estimates, but what would happen is they would reduce the avg. households mil by $50.00, what portion goes to fire from your mil, and then would add a FIRE FEE of $250.00 to $300.00 to your TAX bill. Who knows, the new FIRE UNION contract this Sep.(starts negotiations) could increase the FEE even higher."</em></strong> <br />
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Perhaps this is what we want anyway, right? After all, Council Member Ken Greene said that everyone talking to him wants their taxes raised. (By the way, don't you love how he uses the straw men's argument. Who's everyone?). <br />
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There will be more budget workshops. These are the dates: 6/15, 6/23, 6/30, and 7/7. I believe it is very important that we start attending these meetings and make our voice heard, loud and clear. <br />
<br />
Please call your <a href="http://www.palmbayflorida.org/citycouncil/council/index.html">City Council Member</a> and let them know how you feel and be sure to let your neighbors know, as well. <br />
<br />
Harry Santiago Jr.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-55025970587412266162011-06-13T06:42:00.000-07:002011-06-13T06:51:45.033-07:0018 Signs The Collapse of Society Is AcceleratingHere are chilling facts about our ongoing decelerating civil society.<br />
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<a href="http://lewrockwell.com/rep2/collapse-of-society-is-accelerating.html"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>18 Signs The Collapse of Society Is Accelerating</strong></span></a><br />
<br />
<h1 class="subheadlinemain"><a href="http://www.infowars.com/ordinance-would-force-property-owners-to-surrender-keys-to-government/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Ordinance Would Force Property Owners to Surrender Keys to Government"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Ordinance Would Force Property Owners to Surrender Keys to Government</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h1>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6191038282436623011.post-39903035225441965592011-06-08T15:02:00.000-07:002011-06-09T06:27:34.514-07:00The Bankers are Coming! The Bankers are Coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sb7HVltGEwo/Te_kkQvXTsI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Ex42pNYdo8Q/s1600/paul+revere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sb7HVltGEwo/Te_kkQvXTsI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Ex42pNYdo8Q/s1600/paul+revere.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><br />
Well that's not exactly what Paul Revere actually said in 1775 to warn the revolutionaries of the coming red coats. However, it should be said in our days. It is no secret, now, and even common knowledge that the Federal Reserve is a private banking cartel with government teeth; usurping Article I Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. From the days of the Constitutional Convention, the people's representatives were authorized to "coin money," but as recently as 1913 to present day, a conglomerate of private bankers with the name "federal" next to the word "reserve" have stripped the money-making authority away from the people and into the hands of a few.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZPWH5TlbloU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Now here is something else everyone needs to know: Since 1954, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands established an annual secret meeting between international politicians and global private bankers, called "The Bilderbergers Group." Every year, this group has converged to set global agendas which affect every facet of our lives from Foreign Policies to Wars and Regime Change to Economic Trends, and yes... the taxes we pay, energy prices, and the inflation rate of our dollars. They've included special participants such as Governor George Pataki, Governor Rick Perry, and other American and international politicians, as well as royalty and well known global financiers - such as the Queen of the Netherlands and George Soros, respectively.<br />
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I've recently been looking at what these guys do (since it appears that our votes doesn't mean much anymore these days), and many of the internet's major news outlets have been covering them, as well, such as The <a href="http://drudgereport.com/">Drudge Report</a> and <a href="http://www.infowars.com/">Infowars</a>. Since the mainstream media has decided they don't cover the Bilderbergers (because many of its members own these major news outlets), then I thought I would join in the massive internet news outlets (i.e. new media or alternative media) to expose these "masters of the world." Of course, with some help by some of the better writers on this issue. Here are links on the Bilderbergers (and they will be updating daily):<br />
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<br />
<h1 class="cnbc_blghdln"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/43325286">Friends in High Places: Bilderberg 2011 Kicks Off</a></u></span></h1><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<h1 class="subheadlinemain"><a href="http://www.infowars.com/breaking-secret-bilderberg-agenda-leaked-by-mole/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Breaking: Secret Bilderberg Agenda Leaked by Mole"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Breaking: Secret Bilderberg Agenda Leaked by Mole</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></h1><div class="subheadlinemain"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><h1 class="entry-title" datatype="" property="dc:title"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/media-culture-in-national/bilderberg-group-meeting-to-be-held-june-9-12-switzerland"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Bilderberg Group meeting to be held June 9-12 in Switzerland</span></a></h1><div class="entry-title" datatype="" property="dc:title"><br />
</div></div><a href="http://www.infowars.com/bilderbergers-may-give-green-light-to-mexican-central-banker-as-new-imf-boss/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Bilderbergers May Give Green Light to Mexican Central Banker as New IMF Boss"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Bilderbergers May Give Green Light to Mexican Central Banker as New IMF Boss</strong></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/jun/08/bilderberg-2011-a-political-problem"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Bilderberg 2011: The polished blue line</strong></span></a><br />
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<h1 class="subheadlinemain"><a href="http://www.infowars.com/intimidating-the-media-bilderberg-security-seize-infowars-reporter%e2%80%99s-passport/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Intimidating the Media: Bilderberg Security Seize Infowars Reporter’s Passport"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Intimidating the Media: Bilderberg Security Seize Infowars Reporter’s Passport</span></a></h1><div class="subheadlinemain"><br />
</div><div class="subheadlinemain"><a $included="null" class="contentpagetitle" href="http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-mainmenu-26/europe-mainmenu-35/7791-elite-bilderberg-2011-meeting-draws-scrutiny"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Elite Bilderberg 2011 Meeting Draws Scrutiny</strong></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span></div><div class="subheadlinemain"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="subheadlinemain"><a href="http://www.expatica.com/ch/news/swiss-news/-shadow-world-government--bilderberg-to-meet-in-switzerland_155076.html"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>'Shadow world government' Bilderberg to meet in Switzerland</strong></span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0