Residents Speak Out At Monthly Resident Association Meeting

Last night 3/22/2010 was one night that gave me some hope there actually might be a tid bit of hope after all for our Lame Duck Paquin Tower Resident Association. The reason I use the term "Lame Duck" is due to if HUD did not require Columbia Housing Authority to have these Resident Associations then HUD Funding would be cut back. There have been efforts in the past to close/disband the PTRA over alot of various issues but some how CHA comes to the rescue every time. So as you see if it were not required it would not even be in place.

Last night many residents spoke up on alot of issues from voting in new Alternate Officers(alot of "Nay Voting" was heard and one vote had to be made by the show of hands with that Alternate not even in attendance),Animal Defecation Activity right in front of the building,Foul Language by all in the lobby,Smoking by the front doors,the recalling of elected officers/alternates and so much more. It would seem residents are sick and fed up with their governing board and things going on with in our Vertical Neighborhood.

The biggest victory of all was getting the Resident Association Meeting changed back to the same day as the Smoke Detector Inspections making the remembering of the day of the meeting a true "No Brainer" once again.

>>> There was one noticeable "NAY VOTE" by the raising of hands. It came as no surprise to many residents. <<<

There will also be notices stuffed into every mail box on every door on every floor before the meetings. Issue there is now who is going to pay for all of that paper that usually just gets thrown away anyway. My bet is CHA Resident Services Grant Money will cover those costs. Your tax payer dollars at work and no different than Big Brother Government in Washington.

This last meeting hopefully will begin to set the precedence for future meetings where residents speak up and let the facts of how they do not like how things are going on be known and vote accordingly.

If you have any complaints about your PTRA Elected Officers,Alternates and how the PTRA Board is handling business then show up at the next PTRA Meeting with your notes in hand and speak up. This is your PTRA and the Board and it's Alternates work for you and not the other way around.

Did you know Public Housing Authorities Do Pay Property Taxes?

OpenGovernmentAdvocate says...

noyellowdog more or less has it right. That said, many public housing governmental bodies *do* pay property taxes in the form of a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) payment. There is argument over whether or not PILOT is or is not a tax as defined by the Hancock Amendment, but I would argue it *is* a tax payment. PILOT is a way to get around Hancock when local governments want to levy taxes but don't want the public to vote on it. Check it out, ask any local Housing Authority and you will find they pay PILOT to the City/County instead of property taxes, even though the amount is the same (so, they pay property taxes). And, for the record, not just renters, but the property owner may also fill out either Form PTC or PTS to recover a part of their real property tax if they meet the other requirement(s).

March 16, 2010 at 8:54 a.m.

Source:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/mar/15/state-clarifies-rules-on-renters-property-tax/#comments

Voicing for Change

Welcome to Services for Independent Living’s Strategic Planning Website! Presently, we’re in the second month of the strategic planning process and are openly courting your opinions culled by your perspectives in order to position SIL to more effectively meet the independent living needs of people with disabilities in the mid-Missouri area. This website allows us to collect your “voices” in written form and add it to the research data we’ve been collecting in order to map a plan for change. So, please visit these pages from time to time for updates. Read through the latest questions posed in the forum, and, by all means, comment! The best ideas usually come, as an old friend used to say, from the little gray mouse in the corner who has been quietly observing. Therefore, whether you feel you’re sharing too liberally or believe you don’t have as much to say as the experts, please stay engaged with this site. By letting your voice be heard, you are helping us map for change.

Source and More:
http://silcolumbia-strategicplanning.org/2010/02/voicing-for-change/

Rent Credit Return Controversy Continues And Is Now Brought Into The Light

There has been a huge controversy over this Rent Credit Issue with some Paquin Tower Residents going so far as to call the I.R.S.,Missouri Department of Revenue and one ex resident being put on trespass for helping residents with in Paquin Tower get their Tax Credit.

As some know this has been a huge issue and one of great controversy with the Site Manager taking action of a Trespass Order being put against Dennis Wylie supposedly for fraud and running an illegal business. The following information proves how wrong the accusations have been and exactly how much some residents with in Paquin Tower have no clue what they are talking about.

We are blowing this entire issue open here for you with the following information provided to me by Mr Dennis Wylie. Here is the email below.
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The following email is printed under the Missouri Sunshine Law.
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On Wed, 3/10/10, Minnick, John wrote:

From: Minnick, John
Subject: RE: PTC Claim Unit
To: "Dennis Wylie"
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 4:29 PM

Mr. Wylie,

No recent changes have been made in the Property Tax Credit (PTC) law or in how the law is enforced .

A key component of the PTC law is that a person, if he or she meets the eligibility requirements, must either pay property taxes or live on a property where the owner pays property tax. If a person lives on a property where no property tax is paid, that person is not eligible for a Property Tax Credit or a refund from that program. If the Department of Revenue is aware of a person making a claim who lives on a property where no property tax is paid, that claim is denied.

Some volunteer tax preparers asked for additional guidance on this issue, and it was provided by the department,as it has every year, at its annual training sessions for the volunteers. Information on this issue is also included in our tax instruction booklets. There may be more attention being paid to the issue this year, but the law has not been changed.

When the department discovers a taxpayer lives in a tax exempt residence, the claim is denied. We also change the taxpayer’s account in our system so that future property tax credit claims will be denied unless they file under a new and eligible address. Every taxpayer’s claim or return is different, but, in general, if a person making a PTC claim has done so in good faith based on the information provided to him or her, and if the claimant has not attempted to defraud the department with knowingly false information or forged documents, then it is unlikely that the department would pursue repayment of any past property tax credits awarded to that person.

Here is a link to information about the PTC from the Department of Revenue’s Web site. http://dor.mo.gov/tax/personal/faq/ptc.htm

If you have other questions, please let me know.

John Minnick
Missouri Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 27
Jefferson City , MO 65105
Phone: (573) 751-7791
FAX (573) 751-7744
E-mail: John.Minnick@dor.mo.go
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So if we read this correctly Dennis Wylie did nothing wrong by doing anybody's tax return at Paquin Tower. He did not defraud nor cause anybody any monetary harm. This goes for those of the Moberly AARP who we first heard about this through.

Some people with in Paquin Tower just have no life so they will go and stir up trouble for others not having any clue at all what they are talking about. These are the kind of individuals who make Paquin Tower at times a very troublesome for all place to live. They are the ones who really need a little special attention from CHA about their ongoing personal conduct toward other residents and visitors alike.

Dennis Wylie should not be on Trespass and CHA should lift that Trespass ASAP. To you residents who have tried to persecute Dennis Wylie and others your time will come and what goes around comes around and Karma folks can be a real bite out of your ass. You really are filling your cup to over flowing.

Non delivery restaurants, well, actually will if you know how!

I came across a little gem last night. This service delivers food from restaurants that don't and the fee is reasonable. I'm sure they add restaurants when they can. Check them out! We had Mexican delivered last night!!!

https://www.tigerstakeout.com/index.php?CONTENT=MAIN

Prayers for Ralph Wade

Claudia called and said Ralph was admitted to the university Hospital and is currently undergoing test. He is in Room 19 on 5 west if anyone would like to get a hold of him. Claudia asks that you keep him in your prayers.

Hobo Joe Annual Train Show

Hobo Joe Annual Train Show is March 20, 10am - 3pm. This event is free, and there will be several different model trains.

P & R always needs volunteers for this event so go see Sarah or Daniel in P & R.

It is always a great time to get out of your home and mingle with friends.