The most recent Coralville Courier online poll indicates that this is an extremely close race which will go down to the wire tomorrow, on Tuesday. Every vote will make a difference, and Republicans need your help to get out the vote for Lori Cardella. This election will be close, but we can and will win it with your help.

Now seriously, Mike.  It is your own conservative blog and even your readers are voting against her.  That doesn’t look very good to have a poll where she is losing?  No wonder.  Crazy!

Dems hold early ballot lead

With early voting finished for tomorrow’s special supervisor election, Democrats hold a big absentee edge over Republicans. 1898 Democrats, 442 Republicans, and 329 no party voters have returned ballots.

That doesn’t look good for the “of the people, by the people, oh whatever” candidate.

Maybe?  Or maybe those admissions are being effectively treated on a local outpatient basis?  Give me a break Lori, you are a nurse, you should know how this system works a little bit.  If they close the state in patient facility the outpatient load will increase.  Duh!

In the January 4th installment at http://www.loricardellaforsupervisor.com/Voice_and_Perspective.html, we get schooled on taxes and what Lori’s plan is to control them.

First, I would suggest we take a closer look at what areas of government have grown expotentially in the last 2-5 yrs and how those government services or projects were funded i.e. sales/services tax, property tax, a TIF.

Lori knows the county doesn’t have a sales tax.  She fought against that tax.  And they don’t have a TIF district.

I would then assess further how much money was generated from the particular tax, scrutinize how the funds were or are being used and if we really need to continue to place this tax burden on citizens and business.

Well if you can’t figure out if you are in Iowa City or in Johnson County, well then… I just trust that you will do a good job scrutinizing.

It is important to share with you that my husband employs 800 people in IA in the private sector.  I also grew up on a farm which is also, very much a business.  So my thought process lends itself to the private sector which ‘financially feeds’ the public sector.

Lori, could you actually give us a narrative of what your role was in the family farm and your husband’s business?  Maybe you actually did some of the work for your husband or your parents, but you never say that.

So when the private sector is cutting jobs and asking their employees to take salary and benefit cuts this MUST occur in the public sector.

So which part of the private sector?   I understand the economy is sour, but does the county have to cut salaries every time a private sector business cuts salaries?  If Los Cocos went out of business, do we have to find a county clerk to cut?  What sort of index are we creating to manage this private sector parallel universe?   This is the stupidest idea I have ever heard of.  I don’t think it will hold that record for long.

1. “highest taxes per capita of any county in Iowa, and top 10% of the entire United States.”  Is that county taxes or cumulative taxes?

2.  “Ask whose supporters petitioned for 5 unnecessary early voting sites?”  Now we don’t want people to vote?  What happened to that we the people stuff?  We don’t want more people to vote?

3.  “Who has a conflict of interest serving on a state government board which gives money to counties?”  WTF?  There isn’t a law saying you can’t serve on a state board.  Regenia Bailey is on the VisionIowa board.  If the State of Iowa didn’t have a conflict of interest policy, this might be a benefit for Johnson County.

4.  “vote for the physically fit, personally disciplined and fiscally responsible candidate.”  WTF?  Crazy is as crazy does.

It is important to preface that our county property tax revenue has increased over 41% in the last two years.

You mean expenses, right?  Wouldn’t that be a good thing if revenues did go up?  If property values increased, maybe more people built more homes and increased the amount of revenue.  We wouldn’t want a zero growth county?  There are seven of 99 counties that are actually growing in population and we are one of them.  Right?

As a reminder to readers, Ms. Rettig raised your property taxes last November for a ‘nice-ity’ NOT a necessity.

Actually, we the people voted to raise property taxes, so our kids could have clean water and public lands. We asked the people, they cast a vote and land water future won.  All the facts please.

Citing a Dec. 11 article in the Gazette it states that the owner of $150,000 in Iowa City will pay $2,756 a yr for the city portion, up $78/yr.  Meaning that does not include the tax increase from other taxing entities i.e. county or school district.

Lowering property taxes through decreasing assessed property values which are inline with the current housing and the commercial market trends at large will be a main area of interest if elected.

What are you talking about?  taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes.  Ok,  you are writing something about taxes, but while it may make sense to you, it’s jibberish on the website.

Johnson County currently has 83 TIFS, Tax Increment financing projects.  Each TIF requires an increas in ones assessed property value.  That is how a particular TIF project if funded.  Remember too, that public properties do NOT pay property taxes so individuals and private business foot the bill on these projects.  I would suggest the county take a closer look at each of these 83 TIFS and review their financial impact on various entities.

Aren’t TIF districts setup by the cities?  Aren’t cities run through home-rule charter?  Does the county have any say?  Not really. Maybe we need a real consensus builder to help us here.  Any volunteers?

The funniest might be the accusation that Rettig will build Newport Road.  Another baseless scare tactic.  That method seems to be really helping voters make up their minds.    BOO!  Did I scare you?  Vote for me then.