At a time when construction, manufacturing, and retail are suffering, it is a politically shortsighted move for a geographically small state like Maryland to put its only growth sector at such a competitive disadvantage. I would ask anyone who is concerned about the future of our region to learn more about the issue at fightthetechtax.com and to contact their legislators and urge them to repeal the computer services sales tax before we end up feasting on the goose that has laid the golden egg.
David Layton
Hagerstown
Support sought for new county no-leash dog park
To the editor:
Dan Gilbert and Michi Morgan, along with several others, would like to open a dog park, Muttly Acres, for the surrounding area.
We are currently working on our 501(C)(3) status to become a nonprofit, and are currently about half way through our paperwork. Currently, we are looking for people to join us in helping us make our dream come true. We need to put a board of directors together, and have been looking at different locations for the park.
The park will be off-leash, fenced in and open to the public where your dog can run and play. We are planning to install boarding kennels and have doggie day care to help support the park. There will also be hiking trails around the outer perimeter.
We would work with organizations for the handicapped to come and help with the duties of the park.
We plan to have animal rescue organizations occasionally come to the park and assist with their adoption programs.
Dan Gilbert
Michi Morgan
Hagerstown
Excise tax is a bad idea
To the editor:
The subject of the property excise tax that currently is in effect in Washington County is a source of much controversy and discussion among county residents. There is good reason for the controversy about the property excise tax.
If you want less of anything, simply tax it! This fact is especially true of economic activity and productivity. If you want an economy to be less productive, more taxes are just what you need. Unfortunately, much of our economy is in the doldrums and it is not because we are paying too little in taxes.
The fact that the United States Congress and president are rushing to lower taxes and send every citizen some quick cash proves my point. Our government always knows that we are overtaxed, but it only admits it when we are in an economic crisis!
Well, guess what? The property excise tax that some are so proud of here in Washington County falls into the same category as all other taxes. We live in a county that needs more high-quality jobs and economic opportunities, not more taxes and not fewer homes.
One last point and perhaps the most unfair consequence of this tax is the effect that it has on life-long residents of Washington County who want to build homes where they have always lived.
How is it fair for an individual who was born in Washington County, went to school in Washington County, gets married in Washington County, works in Washington County and never wants to leave Washington County to have to pay an extra tax just for the privilege of building their house in a place that has always been their home?
To those who defend this tax on the basis of the development "impact" caused by new houses, I simply ask this question: What impact is there on county services when an individual who has lived here his entire life decides to build a new home where he has always lived? Is this person all of a sudden going to become a burden to the county?
What could they possibly do by building this house other than to create local jobs and pay new real estate taxes on this property?
