tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post116942087739408269..comments2023-10-24T11:05:25.288-04:00Comments on Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Dowd enters council race. Stupid statements on day 1 occur.Mark Rauterkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1169508977791262222007-01-22T18:36:00.000-05:002007-01-22T18:36:00.000-05:00I just glanced over the Housing Stock line. As a r...I just glanced over the Housing Stock line. As a realtor--proud realtor who lives and does business within the city of Pittsburgh--please allow me to tell you that Pittsburgh already boasts extraordinarily affordable housing stock for working families.<BR/><BR/>It is possible to purchase a home a family can immediately move in to within the city of Pittsburgh for $50,000 or even a little less! <BR/><BR/>Now, it might not be in one of the elite hoity, hoity neighborhoods known for their proximity to our illustrious universities...but to imply that Pittsburgh does not have affordable housing for Joe LunchBox is obtuse and "out of the loop."<BR/><BR/>Spending practices...and credit...prohibits long-time renters from buying homes...and paying rents that are often more than their mortgage would be.<BR/><BR/>If Mr. Dowd would like to create a network of folks who can help the $50,000 and below crowd buy homes in areas ripe for homeownership, let me know.Thomas Leturgeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07452123582626408864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1169436669494486122007-01-21T22:31:00.000-05:002007-01-21T22:31:00.000-05:00Thanks for the reply.We are watching -- like hawks...Thanks for the reply.<BR/><BR/>We are watching -- like hawks.<BR/><BR/>We have high hopes too.<BR/><BR/>I have yet to visit the web site of the candidate. I'll do that next.<BR/><BR/>Quick points: How did Patrick vote on TIFs on the school board? I think all the recent TIFs were given a green light, sadly. <BR/><BR/>I would have wanted all the recent TIFs to get 'no' votes. <BR/><BR/>To lower taxes for the home-owners, don't do give-a-ways so as to bribe and pay-off the special interest speculators. <BR/><BR/>The way to lower taxes, make the city more dense with people, encourage development, and remove blight is to shift back again to a land-value tax so as to not tax the building, but rather the dirt/land. Then everyone who does a fix-up to the building (overall property) gets a tax break (not penalized). Everyone who decreases the value of the property does NOT get a reward.<BR/><BR/>Best of luck to you and Patrick.Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1169435637242657402007-01-21T22:13:00.000-05:002007-01-21T22:13:00.000-05:00Greetings, Mark, from Abby Wilson, Patrick Dowd's ...Greetings, Mark, from Abby Wilson, Patrick Dowd's campaign manager. In regards to the TIF piece, Patrick was referring to something very different from the "rubber stamping" policy you refer to in your posting. If you have particular questions about ways to rethink tax policy in order to make Pittsburgh's housing stock more affordable for working families, I am happy to put you in touch with Patrick directly. <BR/><BR/>Patrick has always been accessible to members of the press, bloggers, constituents, anyone with a stake in this city's future. Please email him anytime at <BR/><BR/>patrick@dowdforpittsburgh.org or<BR/>patrick@patrickdowd.org<BR/><BR/>I know he would be happy to discuss ideas with you about the Pittsburgh Promise, including the role improved high school performance will play in its effective implementation. I'm sure he would also be happy to discuss his decision to leave the School Board at this particular moment. <BR/><BR/>As for letting the candidate speak for himself, I couldn't agree with you more that it is Patrick's job to communicate with the press and the public directly. <BR/><BR/>I was, for the record, clarifying details that arose during a conversation between Patrick Dowd and the reporter in question. <BR/><BR/>Thanks very much for your close attention to the news. Feel free to contact me directly at any time through our website <BR/><BR/>www.dowdforpittsburgh.org<BR/><BR/>Sincerely, <BR/><BR/>Abby WilsonAbby Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06436055188629139473noreply@blogger.com