...from Ron Wishart and Win were indeed interesting. As someone with both a primary residence in NY (a hideous and surreal tax burden state unlike any other) and a secondary, vacation residence in Warren I can relate to the letter writers frustration and concerns.Originally Posted by ski_resort_observer
When I received my VT real estate tax a month ago, as a non-resident, it was a shocker. And this is probably not what local businesses want to hear (but maybe Montpelier needs to hear loud and clear) but we have already made two substantial "non-purchases" of things we had our eye and usually wouldn't have hesitated to purchase. This change in spending was directly due to the tax burden laid at our doorstep by VT. So while we will continue to buy local when we are in the area, our purchasing decisions (and, thus, sadly local businesses and economy) have already been affected by Mr. Wishart's "extortionists" at the VT capitol. Should I tell a shop owner "I was about to buy this, but am holding off due to the tax issues a non-resident faces" everytime I make a non-purchase ? Should all non-residents do this ? Does that make me a jerk ("Don't let the door hit your butt on the way out, flatlander....") ? Or could it potentially spur the businesses being affected to contact their local government representitives...and begin the process of sending a message loud and clear to the leaders at the state level that ultimately leads to change ? I don't have those answers.
We'll continue to robustly support and spread the word of our love for all things "Mad River Valley" to friends and family without reservation. But they will get the unvarnished "bad" along with the good if they start asking about vacation property ownership. And we'll still buy locally as we've made it a point to do so, despite in many cases having the internet and other easily accessed purchase avenues readily available that would allow us to not spend nearly as much in the valley.
So it's sad but true that Mr. Wishart's sentiments are shared by many of the local non-residents I've spoken to since the tax bills arrived. I do know personally a few other non-residents who've changed potential purchases into "non-purchases" due to the aforementioned issues. Bummer for all.
Anyways, I do apologize if NY's "Mad tax disease" has somehow seeped across our shared border into VT and infected the beautiful Green Mountain State. And I hope I'm not coming across as bitter or grumbling. I just wanted to share the psychological process that, at least personally, has resulted from our tax bill. Heck, on paper at least, our property will be appreciating well beyond the taxes anyways, right ? So I'll just shut up.....
P.S. Anyone up for making the Mad River Valley an outpost of NH ? After all, VT has been spooning with NH since 1791.....
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