…Americans are tired of politicians advancing policies that seem to benefit only the very rich and the very poor, leaving the middle class to pay the majority of taxes while receiving little of the benefits. We're tired of politicians who use their office as a business networking opportunity or who care only about getting re-elected.
Locally we see this in the form of tax policies that subsidize the development projects of millionaires and politicians with YOUR tax dollars.
In 2006, our current County Commissioner Linda Shaw voted to give developer Roy Carroll nearly $1,000,000 in tax subsidies to build an expensive high rise condominium project in downtown Greensboro. Mr. Carroll kept the top two floors of the building as a penthouse residence for himself, valued at nearly $2,000,000.
Did he REALLY need your tax dollars for his project?
…YOU paid for Roy Carroll's luxury penthouse. It's too bad you don't ever get to spend the night there and enjoy the view unless you're friends with Mr. Carroll.
In 2008, Shaw voted for a bond package that was over $400,000,000. We couldn't afford it at the time, and we can't afford it now. As a result of that bond package, the average property tax in Guilford County will increase by a total of $958 per household over five years.
Earlier this year, Shaw voted for a bond package to support a new luxury hotel in downtown Greensboro. Nevermind that studies show that their is no real market for the hotel and that it would have trouble making a profit. If it fails, you will pay for it one way or another.
When fellow Commissioner Skip Alston threatened other elected officials with having them recalled from office if they voted to rescind the hotel bond package, Linda Shaw later accepted his apology saying she would "just like for everyone to get along".
What had Alston so concerned that he resorted to threats? He was brokering the deal and stood to make a lot of money if the hotel project was approved. Just another example of a politician using his office and influence to make money for himself and his friends, and our current Commissioner Linda Shaw was more concerned about everyone "just getting along".
We need to have a REAL conservative in office who won't work for the special interests and who will oppose the continued, irresponsible growth of government. We need a person who does not believe that politicians should use their office to enrich themselves or their friends. We need a person who believes in the free market and not corporate welfare or cronyism. We need a person who will be responsible with your money.
Sam Spagnola
Candidate for County Commissioner
3rd District, Guilford County, North Carolina
