Lack of Services

[5857dave]

Is So. Maryland lacking adequate services for the high taxes we pay?

 

[This_person]

Is So. Maryland lacking adequate services for the high taxes we pay?

What services do you think we should get? (could be another poll question for you):

Professional firefighters?

Professional medical treatment in ambulances?

Sufficient police?

Garbage pickup?

Enough water for most?

Enough classrooms for all the students?

{add yours here}

 

[bubble_gum_yum]

What services do you think we should get? (could be another poll question for you):

Professional firefighters?

Professional medical treatment in ambulances?

Sufficient police?

Garbage pickup?

Enough water for most?

Enough classrooms for all the students?

{add yours here}

I would agree with the classrooms, more police officers (although the ones we have are good), garbage pickup is available IF you pay for it.
I'd have to disagree with the Firefighters and EMT - the ones we have are highly trained, passionate individuals that give a ton of thier own personal time to help save the lives of others. I commend them for thier duties and give them many thanks

 

[Dork]

What services do you think we should get? (could be another poll question for you):

Professional firefighters?

Professional medical treatment in ambulances?

Sufficient police?

Garbage pickup?

Enough water for most?

Enough classrooms for all the students?

{add yours here}

I was amazed when I moved to Calvert from Anne Arundel. My taxes may be a little cheaper but not much. I think the schools are better in Calvert but I am surprised by the lack of paid Firefighters, paramedics, no trash pick up, etc. The police cars in Calvert seem to be a mix match of whatever equipment they got for sale at the auction. The cars are all different and have lightbars from the 80s, 90s and today attached to them. In AA, all the police cars had the same equipment and they look uniform.

It does feel as if I am getting less for my taxes in Calvert. Maybe it's because there aren't as many people ($). Maybe it's the way the county is managed? I still haven't figured that out.

Anne Arundels police and fire depts have command posts, boats, helicoptors, armored vehicles, etc. I don't think I've seen any of the above in Calvert. Perhaps it's a lack of Calvert's motivation to pursue grant money. Perhaps it just the laid back attitude down here. I'm not complaining. I think Calvert is a wonder place to live. I just don't feel I am seeing as much here for the taxes I pay. Heck, my streets don't even have street lights. Not a big deal, but another thing I noticed I don't have here in Calvert.

 

[bubble_gum_yum]

Anne Arundels police and fire depts have command posts, boats, helicoptors, armored vehicles, etc. I don't think I've seen any of the above in Calvert. .

Calvert does have a tank-like black armored vehicle for the Police Dept. The cars are a bit mismatched but that keeps you on your toes wondering if its a cop from afar

 

[This_person]

I would agree with the classrooms, more police officers (although the ones we have are good), garbage pickup is available IF you pay for it.
I'd have to disagree with the Firefighters and EMT - the ones we have are highly trained, passionate individuals that give a ton of thier own personal time to help save the lives of others. I commend them for thier duties and give them many thanks

For the garbage, it's the "IF" part that's wrong - like water and sewer that should be a part of what you pay for in your taxes.

I'm not saying that the firefighters or EMTs are not trained, passionate, nor worthy of praise - they are all of these things for sure. I'm saying, when I call, I have to hope someone is there, because we're not paying anyone to be there. When I call and my problem is truly life-threatening, I have to hope the qualified EMT hears as well as the ambulance people, because most of the time they're not the same people.

And, let's be serious - they are paid. They're paid with the schooling, the tax breaks, etc. How many "calls" (or, drive-bys right as the call goes out) does a f/f have to make to meet his/her quota of calls to get the tax break? It actually works out to a reasonable hourly wage.

 

[Lugnut]

And, let's be serious - they are paid. They're paid with the schooling, the tax breaks, etc. How many "calls" (or, drive-bys right as the call goes out) does a f/f have to make to meet his/her quota of calls to get the tax break? It actually works out to a reasonable hourly wage.

Care to show references for that claim?

 

[Toxick]

If you live in Baltimore, Annapolis, or the suburbs of those cities, I'm sure you're getting some bang for your buck.


I'm seeing some road improvements down here ... I guess that's something.




Although I'd like to see more intersections turned into roundabouts. Those things are great.

 

[MMDad]

Is So. Maryland lacking adequate services for the high taxes we pay?

Congratulations on creating the most biased, ambiguous poll in history. Have you considered applying for a job with the DNC or Zogby?

 

[This_person]

Care to show references for that claim?

$3,500/year, non-taxable, off of state taxes

50 points required for benefit

(from personal observation)Half of the points can be gotten with a "drive-by" call

But, let's not even take that into account. 50 calls/year at about 1 hour/call = 50 hours per year.

$3,500/50 hours = $70/hour untaxable.

Not good enough? Make the calls and attend at least one meeting a month. For two hours!

$3,500/74 hours = $47.30/hour, untaxable.


So, yes, I feel they're getting paid. To do their hobby.

Now, their hobby supports all of us, and they do what most won't. Don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of at least having the volunteers (as opposed to no one at all). I just think we pay more than enough property tax and state tax to justify someone who does it professionally. At least in PF, Leonardtown, California, Lex Park....... Maybe not in Ridge? Valley Lee? Maybe volunteer is good enough for there.

 

[MMDad]

$3,500/year, non-taxable, off of state taxes

50 points required for benefit

(from personal observation)Half of the points can be gotten with a "drive-by" call

But, let's not even take that into account. 50 calls/year at about 1 hour/call = 50 hours per year.

$3,500/50 hours = $70/hour untaxable.

Not good enough? Make the calls and attend at least one meeting a month. For two hours!

$3,500/74 hours = $47.30/hour, untaxable.


So, yes, I feel they're getting paid. To do their hobby.

Now, their hobby supports all of us, and they do what most won't. Don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of at least having the volunteers (as opposed to no one at all). I just think we pay more than enough property tax and state tax to justify someone who does it professionally. At least in PF, Leonardtown, California, Lex Park....... Maybe not in Ridge? Valley Lee? Maybe volunteer is good enough for there.

If you think that making 50 calls in one year equals 50 hours of actual effort, you are using JPC logic.

I am not a volunteer, but I do know many of them and I see the time they actually put into it. I strongly recommend that you get better acquainted with how it works before making such a baseless accusation.

I'll give you one quick example: an EMT that rides in the ambulance. Each call takes at least two hours, more often three. Add to that training time and drills. Next, count the time they are on call.

Most of these people I know put in hundreds of hours. Anyone that only put in 50 or 74 per year would not be welcome in most departments.

 

[vegmom]

If you live in Baltimore, Annapolis, or the suburbs of those cities, I'm sure you're getting some bang for your buck.


I'm seeing some road improvements down here ... I guess that's something.




Although I'd like to see more intersections turned into roundabouts. Those things are great.

Been driving thru beautiful downtown Lusby lately? That area in front of the new Giant/Walgreens is a MESS.

 

[This_person]

If you think that making 50 calls in one year equals 50 hours of actual effort, you are using JPC logic.

I am not a volunteer, but I do know many of them and I see the time they actually put into it. I strongly recommend that you get better acquainted with how it works before making such a baseless accusation.

I'll give you one quick example: an EMT that rides in the ambulance. Each call takes at least two hours, more often three. Add to that training time and drills. Next, count the time they are on call.

Most of these people I know put in hundreds of hours. Anyone that only put in 50 or 74 per year would not be welcome in most departments.

Those are all choices, though. Training for many is done as a part of their job - the one they get paid for for real. Not for all, but for many. The time issue you state (two hours vice one) may be true sometimes, but other times it's 10 minutes vice an hour, so I was averaging - some things which meet the requirements for calls are turnarounds before they ever get anywhere.

I do know many of these people. I do know, in general, how the process works at many houses. And, I do know that there are the few that put in hundreds and hundreds of hours per year, earning far more than the pittance of support they get.

There are also the minimum requirements, which is what I was alluding to.

I'll state it again; I'm not speaking derogatorily to the volunteers - they do what most people won't do, and it helps the neighbors a great deal. These men and women that volunteer their time for nothing more than a few thousand dollars of tax relief and (what is it, $500/month) retirement pay are grossly underpaid for the sacrifices they make. I just think we pay enough in property and state taxes to get professionals due to the high volume of calls in many areas (Bay District, L'town, Lex Park, Prince Frederick, etc.).

 

[awpitt]

Congratulations on creating the most biased, ambiguous poll in history. Have you considered applying for a job with the DNC or Zogby?

...or the RNC.

 

[Toxick]

Been driving thru beautiful downtown Lusby lately?

I live there.

It's a mess - but I think the payoff will be worth it.

Besides, that particular spot is one of the very few places in this god-forsaken area where there is actually more than a single solitary way to get from point A to Point B.

 

[SoMDGirl42]

Those are all choices, though. Training for many is done as a part of their job - the one they get paid for for real. Not for all, but for many. The time issue you state (two hours vice one) may be true sometimes, but other times it's 10 minutes vice an hour, so I was averaging - some things which meet the requirements for calls are turnarounds before they ever get anywhere.

I do know many of these people. I do know, in general, how the process works at many houses. And, I do know that there are the few that put in hundreds and hundreds of hours per year, earning far more than the pittance of support they get.

There are also the minimum requirements, which is what I was alluding to.

I'll state it again; I'm not speaking derogatorily to the volunteers - they do what most people won't do, and it helps the neighbors a great deal. These men and women that volunteer their time for nothing more than a few thousand dollars of tax relief and (what is it, $500/month) retirement pay are grossly underpaid for the sacrifices they make. I just think we pay enough in property and state taxes to get professionals due to the high volume of calls in many areas (Bay District, L'town, Lex Park, Prince Frederick, etc.).

Don't get me started on this. You are full of shiat! I was a volunteer for 16 years in this county as an EMT. If you think that tax break is enough for all the time and effort it takes, I challenge you to volunteer for a year and see if it's worth it. MOST do it for other reasons, not a piddlely little tax break! And the last I heard, 20 years of volunteering only gets ya about $200.00 a month AFTER the age of 65. Do the figures on that and tell me how much they are getting paid!

It's not even worth the effort for me to type this. YOU are probably one of the many who take advantage of the volunteer system because you think if you call that ambulance at two o'clock in the morning because you broke a finger nail, you'll get seen quicker in the ER. I sincerely hope you never require the assistance of our VOLUNTEER rescue/fire department.

 

[vegmom]

I live there.

It's a mess - but I think the payoff will be worth it.

Besides, that particular spot is one of the very few places in this god-forsaken area where there is actually more than a single solitary way to get from point A to Point B.

Agreed...I've checked the links to plans folks have posted here, and it looks like things will be really nice when completed. It's just a PITA right now. I live right inside the main gate, so pretty much all "alternate routes" are the same for me time wise.

 

[This_person]

Don't get me started on this. You are full of shiat! I was a volunteer for 16 years in this county as an EMT. If you think that tax break is enough for all the time and effort it takes, I challenge you to volunteer for a year and see if it's worth it. MOST do it for other reasons, not a piddlely little tax break! And the last I heard, 20 years of volunteering only gets ya about $200.00 a month AFTER the age of 65. Do the figures on that and tell me how much they are getting paid!

It's not even worth the effort for me to type this. YOU are probably one of the many who take advantage of the volunteer system because you think if you call that ambulance at two o'clock in the morning because you broke a finger nail, you'll get seen quicker in the ER. I sincerely hope you never require the assistance of our VOLUNTEER rescue/fire department.

Thank you for volunteering!

Clearly, though, you didn't read my full posts. I repeatedly said that you all don't make enough money to be worth your effort, that many of you work hundreds of hours per year for little compensation. That I appreciate your efforts.

Your unfounded personal attack on me may have made you feel better, but I would never be such a lowlife to get a free ride, in the hopes of being seen quicker - especially for a pointless reason. I agree that there are those out there who would.

However, I wouldn't call $3500 off of your taxes a "pittance" (unless you earn an incredible amount of money ). If it's so little, I'll take it! But, as you say, I wouldn't think it was worth the efforts and sacrifices you all make for it.

See, that's my point. I think you guys should get paid to do it. Read my posts again, and you may pick up my repeated call for professional/paid first responders. Then, you guys would be properly compensated for your efforts, unlike now.

I've never figured out why volunteers react so violently against this idea? What is it this hobby does for you that you get so angry when someone suggests you get paid for it?

 

[vegmom]

Is the $3500 a deduction from taxable income or a tax credit?

Not that I'd sneeze at either, but most people get about that reduction in income or more by simply putting money into a 401(k) or flex spending account.

 

[This_person]

Is the $3500 a deduction from taxable income or a tax credit?

Not that I'd sneeze at either, but most people get about that reduction in income or more by simply putting money into a 401(k) or flex spending account.

Tax credit (off the tax bill, not off of income). The IRS started taxing this benefit, and the lobby got that squashed just recently.