Taxpayers association represents all taxpayers

Set aside the thought of "investors" and it is not a novel idea for one to be concerned where and how their tax dollars are being spent.

I am all for education, building better, safer roads and infrastructures, maintaining the environment etc., but if I pay taxes somewhere, I have a right to know how my money is being spent, especially if I am forced to forfeit my right to vote for people who are making the decisions.

Isn't that SOP for any US citizen who owns property in a state other than their declared state of residence? As far as I know, no other state allows a non-resident to vote in their elections--but it seem to be more of an issue in Florida.

(There is a solution, but it seems that some folks just don't want to commit to declaring FLA as their state of residence. Don't know why....there's no income tax, the weather is wonderful, the beaches are great, we've got tons of jobs...what's the problem? :idontno: )

I think you may find this interesting to watch and see how this goes
Maryland: Bill would allow non-residents to vote in some vacation towns

Yeah...right...., about as interesting as watching paint dry....

....the politicos who need to act to push this bill through come from other areas of Maryland where they've gotta care what the real residents have to say. I don't think their constituents will take too kindly to elected officials reliquishing control of a portion of the Great State of Maryland resulting in a situation where their fellow statesmen will be at the mercy of a bunch of condo owners from New Jersey, Philly, and Wash D.C.

You would be surprised how many real residents of Maryland, particularly Fredericksburg County due to proximity to DC , own property in Ocean City. They pay taxes on things Ocean City residents do not, like school tax, emergency taxes etc. The councils are even allowed to have closed secret meetings. The same people who allowed all the condos to be built. :blink: There are 2600 residents and 32000 non residents there. Residents also have a cap on taxes similar to SOH.

IMO, Taxation without Representation is unfair anywhere.

What about sales taxes one might pay when buying in another state, or gas taxes in other states, when you fill up as you are driving through?

:roll: You know I meant real estate taxes and any bull tax that a non-resident pays smartiepants. Now I am going to play Simpsons snowball fight.;-) The taxes you are talking about everyone pays.

my take. owning property somewhere you don't live is a luxury, and luxury comes with expense. people only vote where they live. if what happens where you don't, you don't like, so sad. come on down and be as vocal as you want, but don't expect to ever vote here unless you live here.

not an attack within this thread, just my belief and a blanket statement towards this silly movement about to happen(ing). seen it before and will see it again, and it will get stopped again. the beach seems to be 5 years behind the mountains.

i realize this is not an attack, but because i am a full-time resident here, i i find this opinion very dangerous for the county. i believe this opinion that people are "lucky" to be spending their money here and investing in this area reflects a "sense of entitlement" that will hurt this area.

any economic development expert will tell you that appreciating the industries and entities that bring money and growth to a community makes good sense. suggesting they don't deserve a say is dismissive and not very community-oriented. after all, they can always take their "luxury" income and spend it somehwere else. after watching what happens to poorly managed regions, i can assure you, they will do that.

What about sales taxes one might pay when buying in another state, or gas taxes in other states, when you fill up as you are driving through?

my take. owning property somewhere you don't live is a luxury, and luxury comes with expense. people only vote where they live. if what happens where you don't, you don't like, so sad. come on down and be as vocal as you want, but don't expect to ever vote here unless you live here.

not an attack within this thread, just my belief and a blanket statement towards this silly movement about to happen(ing). seen it before and will see it again, and it will get stopped again. the beach seems to be 5 years behind the mountains.

So are you saying that all of the "communities," and I use that term extremely loosely, which are empty most of the year, are "community oriented?" At best, the visitors to the communities stay for one week at a time. There is no real sense of community, unless you consider the architectural styles and empty homes a "community." Communities are made up of people who reside in a place, establishing long-lasting relationships with others in an area of close proximity.

How much say should someone who spends zero amount of time in SoWal, have in our community? What about someone who spends less than two weeks a year? Do you think they know what is best for our area, or does that matter? Should their financial interests be the only thing that matters? Just curious to know your thoughts on that.

People have the ability to buy numerous "luxury" items ie; cell phones, airline tickets etc. and they are all represented by some consumer group or lobbyists. When you buy stock, you have voting rights.

IMO it is just plain ole un-American for anyone paying any taxes anywhere to not have a vote (Taxation without Representation)

As far as sense of community, this site is an excellent example of that.
SJ, would you argue that just because I am not there on a daily basis, that I do not feel in tune with the community and also the needs of the full time residents?

IMO it is just plain ole un-American for anyone paying any taxes anywhere to not have a vote (Taxation without Representation)

Are you really suggesting that one should be able to vote in any locale in which one has a tax liability?

We can cast a ballot in our county of residence, and that is the way it should be. To suggest that because one pays taxes in multiple locales they should have more say in our government than those who just pay in one is to me "un-American." Seems we fought a war and passed two amendments to guarantee 'One (wo)Man One Vote.'

That does not, however, mean that we have no say in another community's government. Just look at the financial disclosures of any candidate for office. You'll see plenty of folks from around the country being well represented right here in Walton County.