Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance

10/11/2017

Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance

10/11/2017

Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance's cover photo

01/13/2017

Please join us tomorrow morning.....
Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance
9 to 10 am
First Friends Church
Portsmouth Blvd.
Saturday January 14th, 2017

AGENDA:
Overview of 2016-2017 Budget
Update from Ted Lamb on $ for VoTech
Update on PFP from Lee Cherry

VISION
Provide voters with the knowledge they need to improve
their standard of living by reducing the growth rate of
government spending so families can keep more of what
they earn.
MISSION
Become the most objective local source of knowledge on the
City’s taxing and spending decisions and their impact on
the financial health of families and businesses.
Co-Chairs,
Jennifer and Pat

09/07/2016

Please join us this Saturday morning September 10th for our City Council Candidate Forum at the Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance meeting. Our intimate forums provide an excellent opportunity for you to see the candidates up close and have your questions answered.

Location: First Friends Church, 5307 Portsmouth Blvd.
Parking behind church
Date: Saturday, September 10th, 2016

Time: Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for pastry, fruit, coffee & juice
Meeting starts promptly at 9 am and will end by 11 am

All candidates invited:
James C. Bailey Paul J. Battle
Leon J. Boone Nathan J. Clark
Mark A. Geduldig-Yatrofsky Lisa L. Lucas-Burke
Elizabeth M. Psimas S.C. Cathy Revell
Donna Biggs Sayegh Ray A. Smith

The Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance, a nonprofit organization, is proud to be considered non partisan with the best interest of the community in mind. We look to aid every resident in familiarizing themselves with each candidate’s position and encourage our neighbors to vote for the candidates of their choice.

OUR MISSION
Become the most objective local source of knowledge on the
City’s taxing and spending decisions and their impact on
the financial health of families and businesses.

Our meetings are open to everyone - invite your friends, neighbors and family - students are encouraged to attend!

Co-Chairs,
Jennifer Lee 286-1472
Pat Simons 646-7240

08/15/2016

Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance Mayoral Forum 08132016

For those of you who were not able to attend our Mayoral Forum on Saturday.....take a few minutes to listen to Mayor Wrights 2 minute intro which starts at 8 minutes 56 seconds into this video. Hear his rant about how much we - the Citizens - bother him. Let this help to guide your decision in the voting booth on November 8th.

https://youtu.be/Ijy-N_XMuHU

Mayoral Candidates Shannon Glover, Cliff Page, John Rowe, Jim Sturdavent, and Kenneth Wright presenting their views to the Taxpayer Alliance. Candidate Barry...

08/12/2016

Please join us this Saturday morning August 13th for our Mayoral Forum at the Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance meeting. Our intimate forums provide an excellent opportunity for you to see the candidates up close and have your questions answered.

Location: First Friends Church, 5307 Portsmouth Blvd.
Parking behind church
Date: Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. Doors open/ham buscuits, pastry, fruit, coffee & juice
9:00 to 10:30 AM

All candidates invited:
Shannon E. Glover H. Cliff Page, Jr.
Barry R. Randall John L. Rowe, Jr.
James M. Sturdevant Kenneth I. Wright

The Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance, a nonprofit organization, is proud to be considered non partisan with the best interest of the community in mind. We look to aid every resident in familiarizing themselves with each candidate’s position and encourage our neighbors to vote for the candidates of their choice.

OUR MISSION
Become the most objective local source of knowledge on the
City’s taxing and spending decisions and their impact on
the financial health of families and businesses.

Our meetings are open to everyone - invite your friends, neighbors and family - students are encouraged to attend!

Co-Chairs,
Jennifer Lee 286-1472
Pat Simons 646-7240

07/08/2016

Please join us tomorrow morning.....

Portsmouth Taxpayer Alliance
9 to 10 am
First Friends Church
Portsmouth Blvd.
Saturday July 9th, 2016

Join us as we celebrate our 9th anniversary!

VISION
Provide voters with the knowledge they need to improve
their standard of living by reducing the growth rate of
government spending so families can keep more of what
they earn.
MISSION
Become the most objective local source of knowledge on the
City’s taxing and spending decisions and their impact on
the financial health of families and businesses.

Co-Chairs,
Jennifer and Pat

05/19/2015

No chance to make lemonade in Portsmouth

No lemonade for us..............
http://hamptonroads.com/2015/05/no-chance-make-lemonade-portsmouth

Tolls at the Downtown and Midtown tunnels are hampering business and stifling economic recovery in Portsmouth. In other words, they're doing precisely what opponents warned they would.

05/19/2015

In Portsmouth, two audits done and more to come

Yes indeed, the city got back $638,000 BUT Thomas had NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with it as confirmed by the CFO at her last council workship.........
http://hamptonroads.com/2015/05/portsmouth-two-audits-done-and-more-come

Auditor Jesse Andre Thomas says an audit of billing and customer service in the Public Utilities Department will be done next month, as will a full audit of another department.

05/19/2015

Experts: Divided Portsmouth council needs counseling

Highly doubt all the Group Therapy in the world would help the Portsmouth City Council's problem.....
http://hamptonroads.com/2015/05/experts-divided-portsmouth-council-needs-counseling#

Members' relationship might be described as a bad marriage. Behavioral scientists say the answer could lie with training in "group dynamics" - what some call "group therapy."

05/08/2015

Email sent to Mayor & Council today:

My Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor & Council Members:

Today is your Lucky Day!!!!!

You now have $5,645,864 to add to your budget. Tonight the School Board is voting on a resolution asking Council to “realign their budget over various categories”.

Instruction ………………. - $5,645,864 Instruction is the only thing that will make an impact on the future leaders of Portsmouth. Having almost 6 million dollars left at the close of the school year, while the passing rates in math and reading are among the lowest in the state, is nothing short of denying education to the children.

Admin………………….+ $50,000 Administration is over 500% higher per 1,000 students than Va. Beach and rising. The Mayor demanded to know where 26 Sheriff Deputies are in the court house every minute of every day. With school admin budget approaching 7 million dollars you need to demand to know exactly what is going on with these 1,000+ employees.

Transportation……..+ $110,000

Debt…………………………… - $150,000 Impossible, how could they possibly OVER budget their debt?

Technology…………. + $3,000,000 The 2014-15 total appropriation budget was 4.6 million dollars for this category. Increasing it by 3 million is an increase of 65% of the total yearly budget!

It is now obvious that the schools NEVER needed the 6 extra million dollars you gave them last year so they DO NOT need it for 2015-16 either. Take this “gift” and use it to restore the Sheriff’s budget, give the Police and Fire the raises they DESERVE and pay for the new school roofs instead of financing them as suggested by Mark Whitaker.

This proves that the School Board is continuing their practice of using the citizens’ tax dollars as monopoly money. You are choosing to ignore instructions and recommendations issued by a Grand Jury! The entire budget fiasco we have witnessed since the end of March is directly attributed to the schools. Add this 5.6 million to the 6.5 million you insist on giving them yet again and you have more than the 11.7 million you portrayed as a problem.

04/21/2015

Eight Portsmouth businesses robbed in 10 days

Eight Portsmouth businesses robbed in 10 days http://dlvr.it/9TXt3M

Capt. Rusty Venters said police believe one person might be involved in more than one of the robberies. In each crime, one person would enter a business and demand money, he said.

04/21/2015

Two more top Portsmouth officials to depart

Two more top Portsmouth officials depart http://dlvr.it/9RPpJw

Police Chief Edward Hargis, shown, announced Friday that he is retiring on June 1. The day before, Finance Director Carol Swindell reported that she's resigning on May 1.

04/21/2015

Why are Portsmouth officials out? Accounts differ

Why are Portsmouth officials out? Accounts differ http://dlvr.it/9Q3kXZ

The city manager and attorney either retired or were forced out. The reason was either race-related or not. Two councilmen offered differing accounts. Others opted to stay mostly silent.

04/21/2015

Portsmouth dysfunction on display once again

Portsmouth dysfunction on display once again http://dlvr.it/9Q3kPL

Apparently dissatisfied with the progress they've made in driving the reputation of Portsmouth's governance into the ground, a majority of members on the City Council have now gone deeper. In the process, members have undermined their ability to stabilize the city's operations and finances, and rein…

04/21/2015

For many, Portsmouth living brings wrong side of taxes, fees

For many, Portsmouth living brings wrong side of taxes, fees http://dlvr.it/9PBJqJ

Portsmouth residents face the highest property tax rate in the region and might pay more – the City Council is considering a 17-cent increase. They also bear the brunt of tolls.

04/21/2015

Portsmouth's city attorney, manager fired by council

Portsmouth's city attorney, manager fired by council http://dlvr.it/9P9Ytr

George Willson and John Rowe had announced their retirements, which were to happen later this year, but the council moved up the timeline by firing both on Tuesday night.

04/14/2015

Our city has a spending problem! Look at the following total city budgets:
2013 - $351,000,000
2014 - $604,000,000
2015 - $632,000,000
Proposed for 2016 - $657,000,000
Call Council now and tell them to stop spending more than we can afford!

04/13/2015

Send them an email and let them know you cannot afford to support their outlandish spending habits:

Kenneth I. Wright Mayor - [email protected]
Elizabeth M. Psimas, Vice Mayor – [email protected]
William E. Moody, Jr. – [email protected]
Paige D. Cherry – [email protected]
Dr. Curtis E. Edmonds, Sr. – [email protected]
Danny W. Meeks – [email protected]
Dr. Mark M. Whitaker – [email protected]

04/13/2015

THE TRUTH ABOUT PORTSMOUTH HOW TO KEEP MORE OF YOUR MONEY FOR YOUR FAMILY
The truth is…City Council Members want to increase your real estate tax rate by 17 cents!

This would make Portsmouth's’ rate the highest of any city in the state of Virginia!

How to STOP IT: Write, email and call (393-8639) every member and let them know you will NOT continue to support their spending habits!

Show UP: YOUR presence speaks volumes! Monday 4/13 - 6 pm, Tuesday 4/14 – 5 pm, Monday 4/27 – 6 pm, Tuesday 4/28 – 5 pm, Monday 5/11 – 6 pm, Tuesday 5/12 – 5 pm and 7 pm

04/13/2015

We had a fantastic meeting Saturday! Many citizens were shocked when we exposed the truth about Portsmouth School Board and Administrators continued spending of non-appropriated funds. Funds which, according to our State law, should have been returned to the City Council.
They continued this practice well after the Grand Jury admonished them for it! We will soon have a link to the entire presentation to aid your understanding of the seriousness and the Millions of tax dollars we have lost!
Stay tuned………..

04/10/2015

Please join us for our monthly meeting this Saturday, April 11th, 2015 at First Friends Church, 5307 Portsmouth Blvd. Between Long John Silver’s and Sturtevant’s –parking behind church 8:30 a.m. Doors open - ham biscuits, pastry, fruit, coffee & juice
9:00 to 10:00 AM – Slide presentation on The REAL State of the City

Portsmouth Citizens have every right to be frustrated and angry, yes, ANGRY!!!!! Years' worth of Poor decisions by the Mayor, City Council and School Board Members have forced each of us to struggle daily to manage our cash flow with little or nothing left for savings or emergency expenses.

Our meetings are always open to the public and students are encouraged to
attend - we look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Pat Simons

President

646-7240

10/18/2013

Hope to see you at the Farmers Market.............

Saturday 10 am To 1 pm
High and Court street

10/09/2013

Please join us this Saturday .....

01/22/2013

PORTSMOUTH TAXPAYER ALLIANCE MEETING MINUTES
January 12, 2013
The January meeting of the PTxA was called to order at 9:03am by Pat Simons. Bill Watts gave invocation and lead in pledge to flag. Pat welcomed all and guest Charles Whitehurst and Ted lamb.
Nelson Velez…(Chairman of the Portsmouth Tea Party) invited all to attend a meeting with local delegates in Richmond on January 21, 2013. Jan-Feb-March are the most important months in decision making for State government. Contact Nelson at 638-7323 if anyone needs a ride & would like to attend.
Coleman Young gave an update on the No Tolls issue: Retired Judge Cales to meet with Patrick Sweeney; court date of May 1, 2013, still raising money to pay lawyer and still need 20 thousand dollars. It’s a continuous job of raising monies selling bumper stickers, having events and yard sales, etc. A meeting will be held January 23, 2013 at Metropolitan Funeral Home on Portsmouth Blvd from 7pm-8pm for all to share thoughts and ideas of ways of raising more money.
Pat asked everyone to please attend the Community Meeting at IC Norcum on January 15, 2013 and consider speaking in “favor” of continuing the voice of all who speak non-agenda to be taped and aired on PCTV. The Community Meeting will be taped and aired. Much discussion followed:
We need to continue speaking regardless of what they say: it is the citizens right to speak, we pay the taxes and council answers to the voters – we do not answer to them. We must make a change for the better; we must work together and start now by demanding answers from council.
Every civic league should have speakers at every council meeting, send emails, and call all council members often.
This issue all started from Mayor Wright at the PCCO meeting of January 2010 stating that citizens speaking non-agenda were grand-standing and we have NO right --in his demanding voice, to bring issues before council that he doesn’t know about. On January 2, 2013 the council all met behind closed doors for a “closed session” wherein they discussed the issue of non-agenda speakers and without any vote, based on a “consensus” decided to pull the plug.. Marlene Randall told Pat Simons that she was late for the 12 noon meeting and that council was discussing the issue as she entered the room.
Charles Whitehurst told us that what the council did on 1-2-2013 was wrong; discussions of this type must be done in an open meeting.
Ted Lamb brought up of the closing of Cradock Library; found out through a source that it was a secret council had planned to close both Cradock and Manor Libraries. Dolores Knight gave details of how we kept it opened & second time the city was going to move it across street and how Cradock citizens non-agenda speakers fought to keep it open. It takes a lot of hard work, prayers and determination.
TO DO LIST: 1)Motion made by Bill Watts and seconded by Jimmy Mayo: Pat to call Stephanie Harris of WAVY 10 for an appointment to protest silencing of non-agenda speakers. Motion approved.
2)Motion made by Steve Carroll and seconded by Bill Connolly for Pat Simons to write a letter to the Commonwealth Attorney asking about the closed session discussion. Bill Watts and Charles Whitehurst volunteered to take the letter to Earl Mobley . Motion approved.
3)Pat Simons will start a petition for citizens requesting Council rescind their decision to prohibit non-agenda speakers from being aired on city channel 48.
Mark Gelduldig-Yatrofsky gave the PTxA members several email addresses to use.
1) [email protected] –(use for remarks only)
2) Portsmouthcitywatch.org

Meeting adjourned at 10:30am
Respectfully Submitted,
Dolores Knight……Secretary

07/18/2012

Sounds like a learning experience!

06/08/2012

PTxA mission is to provide objective research and analysis on local tax and spending issues in support of effective, efficient and accountable government. We seek to equip citizens to be influential voices for good government and sound fiscal policies by increasing public understanding of what government does with your tax dollars.

06/08/2012

PTxA exists to educate and inform Portsmouth Virginia Citizens about sound fiscal policy; to provide policy makers with objective research about the impacts of tax and spending policies; and to advocate for the adoption of rational public fiscal policy.