property taxes
Reassessments could mean loss in services
The dichotomy between actual home values and the values used to assess property taxes is certainly distressing (“Distressed sales drop values,” News, Dec. 19). However, I wonder if those complaining about this disparity have ever thought what will happen if enough people succeed in getting their valuations reduced.
It still costs a county a certain amount to provide services we all require or desire. If the county cannot generate enough revenue, they are left with two choices: cut services or raise the millage rate. Since most people don’t mind having services cut (as long as those cuts don’t affect their lives), the likely choice is to raise the millage rate. Then, home values rise, to be taxed at a higher rate.
Unlike what happens in nature, what goes up in taxes rarely comes down.
Greg Berry, Marietta
Historic buildings
Restoring structures to former glory is good
The article about the re-opening of the restored Academy of Medicine brings welcome news about one of our fine historic structures (“Historic facility gets face-lift,” Living, Dec. 15).
It also offers hope about another historic structure that is nearby. The comment by a Georgia Tech vice president offered in the article is a model statement and would be expected from a representative of a university. However, as we have all learned, what would be expected is not always what happens.
I am hoping that the statement “civic obligation when we acquire a property like that to put it in the best condition we can because it is an asset to the city” will be acted upon with the Crum & Forster Building, which adds so much to the urban fabric of Technology Square.
Alida C. Silverman, Atlanta
After Iraq
Was conflict worth price America paid?
The war in Iraq is finally over.
The war cost thousands of deaths, tens of thousands in injuries, and nine years. Was it all worth the price (especially in lives and families destroyed)? We’re talking about families both here and there.
Apparently, it all depends on your perspective. Did we go into Iraq to establish a democracy? If that was our goal, we failed. Was this to avenge Sept. 11? Did we ever prove that Iraq was behind the attack?
One thing we did do was kill a perfect tyrant. Saddam ruled through pure terror, cared little for his people or country, and robbed Iraq of billions.
What’s left now? A pretty much ruined country, with different groups vying for power. The infrastructure is a mess. Corruption and greed are rampant.
Bill Burns, Stone Mountain
