The covid relief money Westmoreland County received was to be used to help those who need it most. How does using $7 million for a parking garage at the courthouse qualify for that money?
And now that the Monopoly money is gone, we get a big tax increase. How much more can you pile on to the people who have chosen to stay in Greensburg or the ones who cannot leave? Greensburg has an ever-growing elderly population on fixed incomes.
Part of the problem is that more city properties become tax-exempt because of nonprofit status. It becomes more difficult for businesses that must pay taxes to exist. Why can’t these nonprofit entities pay modified taxes? Some have employees making $100,000 or more a year. They provide services, charge customers and make profits. They are businesses and should have to pay taxes. The argument that these nonprofits give so much back? Many of them seem to have taken a lot more than they ever gave back.
It’s no wonder our young people are leaving in droves. Unless they are part of the system, they do not have a chance.
Vince Poteste
Greensburg