Letters to the Editor: Is Falls Church Becoming A City for the Wealthy?

fcnplettersweb

Letters to the Editor: March 22 – 28, 2018

 

Is Falls Church Becoming A City for the Wealthy?

Editor,

What am I missing? Tax overhaul reduces property tax write-off a few months ago. Check. Falls Church City property assessments rose last month (mine by $89,000). Check. Now the City Manager Wyatt Shields calls for a 5.5 cent tax rate hike for FY 2019? When is enough truly enough?

There are many great qualities of our Little City. But most would agree that the best of all is the diversity of the citizenry we enjoy. How does making it challenging for the middle class to live in the City of Falls Church qualify as a goal, let alone an accomplishment? Is this becoming a city for the wealthy?

I fully recognize that a new high school is needed. But why aren’t plans being modified, given the changing economic times. Due to the new tax law, it will be more expensive to live here for homeowners. Shouldn’t assessments go down, instead of up? I admit a downward adjustment may be coming in the future, but in the meantime, all homeowners in the Little City will have less disposable income.

I have lived here for 13 years and witnessed tremendous growth in commercial enterprise. One would think the larger tax basis from commercial activity would reduce the tax burden required from residential property owners. And yet, our taxes only continue to rise. Is this the goal? Bring in more commerce, but pay for it on the backs of the citizens that own homes (because we benefit from more restaurants and grocers?)

These are challenging times for elected officials. Worries about inflation are back after a decade without it. Foreign investment continues unabated. Now this? As someone who qualifies as both a current resident and a future one (I am in the process of building a new house here), I worry that the demographics will change. The fabric of our community will slowly shift to more homogeny, based upon the ability to afford living here, rather than contributing to the diversity of our neighborhoods because it has been a financial possibility. Have I made a mistake contracting for a new home here?

Tony Scardino

Falls Church

 


Letters to the Editor may be submitted to letters@fcnp.com or via our online form here. Letters should be limited to 350 words and may be edited for content, clarity and length. To view the FCNP’s letter and submission policy, please click here.

Recent News

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
On Key

Stories that may interest you

Mourning the Loss Of Rep. Connolly

The Falls Church News-Press joins people of good will everywhere who today are mourning the passing of U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly at age 75 at his home yesterday. Some of

A Penny for Your Thoughts 5-22-2025

“This country is so much better than what Donald Trump is presenting.”  That was Virginia Senator Mark Warner’s reminder to more than 300 Blue Fairfax diners at the McLean Hilton

Support Local News!

For Information on Advertising:

Legitimate news organizations need grass roots support like never before, and that includes your Falls Church News-Press. For more than 33 years, your News-Press has kept its readers informed and enlightened. We can’t continue without the support of our readers. This means YOU! Please step up in these challenging times to support the news source you are reading right now!