Saturday, March 7, 2009

Grants and give-aways--our CRA

When the world is crumbling around us, once again, we have an owner at the above 1,201 sq. ft. property that has applied for a grant and the CRA says that he meets all eligibility requirements for this give-away of public money which will amount to $5,103.97. He obtained his house originally from the CDC for $90,300. The property lost $25,165 in assessed taxable value from 2007 to 2008. The CDC helps in obtaining favorable mortgages for people as well.

A note of interest-- Larry Karns was quoted as saying that he has given some of the foreclosed houses in Lake Worth to the CDC. He must be quite annoyed with Jo-Ann Golden right about now as she voted to not renew his contract.

The owner of 1014 N F St, wants 3 trees removed on his front yard--he doesn't like them…$1,200 and the CRA pays half
Then, he wants his yard replaced with sod…$2,180 and the CRA pays half
After that, a sprinkler system…$2,375 and the CRA pays half
And then some fences and gates…$4,515 and the CRA pays half

Now, I ask you, what does an irrigation system have to do with beautification? What happened to oscillators? Can’t he get out there with a chain saw and cut down the trees? He is in good health, right? He is not a Senior Citizen, right? Can’t he buy some grass and lay it himself? You know, this all gets so tiresome after a while. Everyone wants hand-outs and the government is always around to give it to anyone who asks.

Let us re-think these Grants. This is a legal scam on the taxpayers of our City. We honestly have people who ask for money and think they don’t even have to have their property inspected to receive it and get offended. “Well, the other guy down the street got it and didn’t have to go through hoops.” What is the world coming to? Just think. Lake Worth didn’t even apply for Stimulus money. We continue to give away what we can’t afford though. And I don’t care if it is budgeted or if that is a supposed purpose of the CRA.

Hands-On Consulting consisting of two people have now decided that they need to form separate S-Corporations that require insurance. They want us to pay for it. The CRA Director recommends that we allot up to $11,050 for their insurance even though the invoice submitted was for general liability in the amount of $405 and professional liability in the amount of $5,120 for a total of $5,525. So I guess the invoice is times two. Maybe I missed something. It just never stops folks. Update--3-8-09: After scrolling across the page, there was another invoice in the same amount.

Also, please—CRA-- when providing back-up, have one page on one page, not four pages on one page. It is impossible to print out and read.