Category: Good Government On The March || By
The Valley Mirror reports that one of Braddock's few remaining businesses is leaving the borough. A.J. Silberman & Co., a wholesale grocer and tobacco distributor on Braddock Avenue, is relocating to Harmar Township, according to a front-page story by editor Tony Munson.
Munson writes that the key factor in Silberman's proposed move is Braddock's decision to retroactively collect a mercantile tax that was enacted in the 1970s, "but was not rigorously enforced."
The tax, according to Munson, amounts to 0.1 percent of sales for retailers and wholesalers. In July, the borough capped the tax at $40,000 in any calendar year, but they're claiming that Silberman is in arrears and owes back taxes, "which appears to have become an insurmountable problem," Munson writes.
According to the company's website, Silberman's was founded in 1935 in neighboring Rankin and currently serves about 2,200 independent restaurants, newsstands and convenience and grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Munson says the company has about 100 employees.
This situation comes as neighboring West Mifflin continues its two-year-long p-ssing match with Kennywood over another case of selective enforcement.
Kennywood sued the borough when it learned that the West Mifflin amusement tax --- which theoretically should apply to arcades, driving ranges, theaters, bowling alleys and the like --- was only being collected from Kennywood.
No offense, but what is the matter with the council members in Braddock and West Mifflin? They seem to view the U.S. Constitution's "equal protection" clause with the same contempt as President Bush. Laws have to apply to everyone equally.
If Braddock didn't collect the mercantile tax for the last 30 years, that's Braddock's problem, not A.J. Silberman & Co.'s problem. And if West Mifflin has an amusement tax, it has to levy it against all amusement and entertainment facilities, not just the ones that it thinks are "rich."
Ultimately, these communities wind up shooting themselves in the feet. Braddock is poised to lose one of its few taxpaying, growing businesses (Silberman erected a brand-new half-million dollar warehouse about 10 years ago and also renovated an abandoned bank building for use as an office).
And Kennywood is buying other theme parks outside of Western Pennsylvania, like Story Land in New England, with money that (presumably) might otherwise have been invested in West Mifflin ... fattening the property and wage tax rolls.
Conservatives (Democratic and Republican) around Pennsylvania often spout off against consolidating school districts and communities. They talk about "local control" and how small, independent governments know what their communities need better than "bureaucrats" in Pittsburgh or Harrisburg.
If "local control" continues to give us short-sighted, mule-stubborn officials, then I'll take metropolitanism, please.
Don’t forget the wearing-puffy-pants tax.
Jonathan Potts (URL) - September 18, 2007
You meant the tax on not wearing puffy pants.
Diamond Joe Quimby (URL) - September 18, 2007
“If “local control” continues to give us short-sighted, mule-stubborn officials, then I’ll take metropolitanism, please.”
“Local control” around these parts usually is Democratic Party control. And aren’t they just doing the party line by trying to redistribute wealth?
doug - September 18, 2007
Yes, Doug, that’s absolutely right.
When I joined the Democratic Party, I received a copy of “The Communist Manifesto,” and on page 2 it says, “The workers must control the means of production, West Mifflin Borough Council, and the Log Jammer.”
Webmaster - September 18, 2007
Jason,
Fortunately we do not have a page that guides us to start a preemptive war with no plan for the occupation…..
Unfortunately, the other guys do have that page.
-Councilman Shelly
Paul Shelly (URL) - September 19, 2007
“When I joined the Democratic Party, I received a copy of The Communist Manifesto, “
Jason,
Mrs. Clinton talking about HilCare 2.0 said that “you’ll need an insurance card to get a job interview”. Mrs. Clinton has said she’d like to “seize oil company profits”. Mr. Edwards has said that he would like to force you to see a doctor.
The Democratic Party of today is nothing but a party of (local, state, federal) Government. Taxes are its life source.
At this date in history, can you tell me why the federal government needs to be involved in education?
Doug - September 19, 2007
Mr Shelly, that’s a rather ridiculous and quite tired bit of drivel concerning about not having a page that guides your party to start a preemptive war. It also fails to recognize that even the UN Charter recognizes the right of any nation to take preemptive action in the course of self defense.
Then again, I suppose the fact that your side doesn’t have that page would explain the tragic failure of know as Vietnam that your side got us embroiled in?
The majority of the members of your party were just as complicit in supporting the war since they saw the same information that the other side did, if they didn’t the President would never have been able to go forward.
To claim otherwise is disingenuous and a poor attempt to re-write history.
Bulldog - September 19, 2007
And remember – it is much easier for a large business to move or fight unjust taxes than it is for you. When there is a void in the government purse, they will come looking for the little guy to fill it.
Just keep giving and do what you’re told. Then nobody will get hurt.
Sergeant Mike - September 19, 2007
“The Democratic Party of today is nothing but a party of (local, state, federal) Government. Taxes are its life source. At this date in history, can you tell me why the federal government needs to be involved in education?”
How the heck did we get from borough councils in Braddock and West Mifflin to the U.S. Department of Education?
Let me ask you, Doug: Why do we need a federal Office of Faith-Based Initiatives?
Also, no one since FDR has expanded the government quicker than President Bush and the Republican Congress of 1994-2006. The national debt is now approaching /$9 trillion./ Perhaps the Democrats are the party of “tax and spend,” but the Republicans seem to be the party of “borrow and spend.”
Bulldog makes a good point, too … there’s plenty of blame to go around on the Iraq war. Nearly 300 members of the House voted for the 2002 Iraq war resolution, including many, many Democrats (Mike Doyle is one of the notable exceptions).
So: Let’s all keep the straw men out of this pasture, please. Thanks.
Webmaster - September 20, 2007
Hell Bells, good people. If either political party had half of the answers to resolving the riddles that would make our great nation a Valhalla on Earth, we would all be much better off. Truth is, neither of them have any answers worth a crocked gray hair on a rats behind. So you all keep arguing whats better gin or rye that wonder why everybody staggers when they walk.
Hit the reset button. Vote them all out. Get loud. Get active. Make change.
Sergeant Mike - September 20, 2007
“How the heck did we get from borough councils in Braddock and West Mifflin to the U.S. Department of Education?”
Why is every problem the concern of the federal government? Why do Democrats think that government can solve problems? You folks who brandish the efficacy of government in solving social problems might want to show some success. You have none!
doug - September 20, 2007
Let me ask you, Doug: Why do we need a federal Office of Faith-Based Initiatives?
Abolish ALL of the Dept of Education, NPR, PBS, Housing, Welfare, Social Security, Medicaid, Farm Subsidies,, et al. Jason extinguish all federal gov’t programs that are not related to defense of this country.
doug - September 20, 2007
Bulldog does make a good point that there is plenty of blame to go around. The House and the Senate and the media should have better vetted the misinformation concerning Iraq’s capabilities and non-involvement with 9/11 instead of placing blind trust in an administration that has led us and them, down the wrong path.
I’m glad to be reminded that it took a Mon Valley guy with plain common sense like Mike Doyle to see through the smoke and mirrors.
The administration still is liable for the mess in Iraq now. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
-Councilman Shelly
Paul Shelly (URL) - September 24, 2007
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