Posted on 05/25/2009 6:11:53 AM PDT by Liz
Edited on 05/25/2009 6:15:20 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
A Detroit City Council member who paid $68 in property taxes this year because city records say her home doesn't exist, says she thought damage caused by a tornado was the reason her bill was so low. But JoAnn Watson can't recall when the tornado struck her well-kept brick, Tudor-style home on the city's west side, saying it might have been 1993 or 2002. She said she was unaware of a city records discrepancy that has for the past decade listed the parcel as an empty lot, despite the home occupying its plot since 1926. Owners of comparable homes pay $2,000-$6,500 in property taxes.
(Excerpt) Read more at crainsdetroit.com ...
JoAnn Watson Age: 58. Four children. University of Michigan, bachelor's degree in journalism. Detroit City Council, 2003-present; aide to U.S. Rep. John Conyers, 1997-2003; Ex/Dir Detroit Branch NAACP, 1990-97; Ex/Dir downtown Detroit YWCA. Council activity: Heads several task forces: Quality of Life Task Force, Environmental Task Force, Health Care Task Force, and Housing Task Force.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;q=quick;s=property%20taxes
first 2, many comments (more)
Just saw her explanation on tv....she claims this issue was brought up to defeat her this fall.
Her comments heavily implied that this issue is no issue...it’s all a conspiracy on the part of people who want her out of office.
She did not play the race card...but came very close.
Gotta love how dems are above paying taxes.
I can only presume she will be held liable for all taxes and penalties too./s
You left out that she is a community taxpayers organizer
According to the Cook County Assessor’s website multi-millionaire Rahm Emanuel’s home doesn’t exist. There seems to be no public record of Emanuel ever paying property taxes on this home. The Cook County Assessor’s and Cook County Treasurer’s online records indicate Emanuel’s neighbors pay between $3,500-$7,000 annually.
However, Illinois Review has been unable to locate any evidence that Emanuel-— a multi-millionaire-— is paying taxes.
Obama’s COS Rahm Emanuel, and his wife, run a tax-exempt foundation from their Chicago residence: The Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule Charitable Trust was formed in 2002, when he was elected to Congress. Emanuel’s 4228 North Hermitage home is one of the largest in the neighborhood. Other nearby homes are valued in the $500,000 plus range.
The Emanuel Foundation gets income tax write-offs by Rahm’s $25,000 donations to his Synagogue and to his Foundation....and lets Rahm expense personal outlays.
REFERENCE January 2007 USA Today reported on Emanuel and his wife’s tax-exempt “foundation” (operated out of their Chicago residence). The tax-exempt “Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule Charitable Trust” was formed in 2002, when the Chicagoan was first elected to Congress. Rahm and his wife, Amy Rule, are its only donors. The Emanuels do not pay real estate taxes b/c their residence is the tax-exempt foundation’s office.
Yeah, right, that story floats.
like a lead balloon.
Somebody showed up at the city clerk’s office and got this property declared an “empty lot”. Chances are, it was the property owner herself.
Of course, there will be no consequences. This is Detroit, the Robo-City with the Robo-Cops and the Robo- City Council.
...this revelation won’t hurt her a bit in a city controlled by black Democrats...I expect she’ll be re-elected with little problem...cities like Detroit/Baltimore/Newark/Atlanta/New Orleans ect. are on their way to becoming Zimbawbe.
OMG! She’s BLACK and a TAX CHEAT???? Who would ever.....
Wait, wait!
Call on me for the answer!
*waving both hands furiously*
I know!
She’s a Republican, right?
Is she a Dem...? Oh, Detroit..., never mind.
That poor woman.
The article doesn't say what her party affiliation is, but she is obviously qualified as a Presidential Cabinet member.
Shockeroo......where is the NAACP when you need ‘em?
I believe local law says the city may only go back two years when they make a “mistake” in the owner’s direction.
Wonder who Watson knows in the tax office that delisted her home as an “empty lot”?
Hard to believe someone just made that big of a mistake that has lasted from so many years.
Until you’ve actually seen Detroit...you have no idea how badly run it is. The great majority are on public assistance...those in power run it as their fiefdom.
Meanwhile John Conyers...whose congressional district includes the city...is busy trying to put Cheney in prison while his city rots.
Too bad Coleman Young wasn’t around. He could tell this criminal to hit 8 Mile Rd and the peanut wrapper M&M/spelling sarcasm could do a film about her.
Cesspool of socialists/collectivists/criminals...that Detroit...that Michigan. (Sheesh and I live here)
So, to avoid high property taxes, just open a political office?
...In you home, I should have added.
Re: So, to avoid high property taxes, just open a political office?
Yes, I think she got the idea from Charles Rangel.
I grew up in the 8Mile/Kelly area...a great place in the fifties and sixties...the big change was the ‘67 riot.
When it became clear that the authorities were not going to protect property against looters...those burned out did not return...led to the huge growth of white people in Macomb county...to this day I have friends and relatives who left and still live in Sterling Whites (Heights).
Coleman Young’s administration finished the job the riot started. Remember when he told criminals to hit 8 Mile? The suburbs sure loved that!
Detroit in now truly...a third world city.
Several years ago when I had visitors from Europe...who wanted to see the city...I came up with every excuse I could think of from taking them on a tour...what can you say to a foreigner about what’s left?
It IS a war zone.
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