According to a review of city documents by The Bridge, owners of flood-damaged, substandard rental properties in a neighborhood with 62% of residents living at or below poverty (Census, 2013-2017 ACS), received FEMA Buyout payments far in excess of fair market values. In one case, 20 Carroll Street, the FEMA Buyout payment was four times the property's … [Read more...] about City Approves Questionable FEMA Buyout Payments: Owners Paid up to 4x Listed Fair Market Value
Citizen Input Needed on Annual Federal Housing Grants to City of Binghamton
Each year, the City of Binghamton receives approximately $2 million from HUD through the Community Development Block Grant program, consistently ranked by Republican and Democratic mayors across the country as one of the most important funding sources to support investments in distressed neighborhoods, local housing needs, and nonprofits delivering essential … [Read more...] about Citizen Input Needed on Annual Federal Housing Grants to City of Binghamton
A Guide for Zombie Hunters: How to Deal with these Vacant Properties (not flesh-eating deadwalkers)
I live next door to a zombie, and I worry that trouble is coming this summer. The zombie is a single family residence with three bedrooms and about 1,700 square feet of living space. The owner defaulted on the mortgage a couple years ago, and before he moved to Texas, he offered the house up to a nice family from his church that was in need of … [Read more...] about A Guide for Zombie Hunters: How to Deal with these Vacant Properties (not flesh-eating deadwalkers)
First the Questionable Reduced Assessment, now an Illegal STAR EXEMPTION: Mayor Uses Influence over Assessor to Save Thousands in Local Taxes
On February 5, I published an article on the bridge explaining how Mayor Rich David quietly and questionably secured a nearly 30% reduction of his downtown property tax bill. Mayor Rich David is now saving thousands in local property taxes because, in 2018, the City Assessor—a position the Mayor oversees and appoints—used a questionable “informal review” … [Read more...] about First the Questionable Reduced Assessment, now an Illegal STAR EXEMPTION: Mayor Uses Influence over Assessor to Save Thousands in Local Taxes
BOSCOVS: The Smoke and Mirrors over Tax Breaks and Ownership
On April 13, 2018, Mayor Rich David issued an official city news release, announcing the City had entered into a one-year extension of lease, PILOT, and parking agreements with Boscovs Department Store. The release, available on the City's website (and pictured below), stated, "A one-year extension of Boscov’s payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement was … [Read more...] about BOSCOVS: The Smoke and Mirrors over Tax Breaks and Ownership
How I Found Out Mayor David Secretly Cut His Property Tax Bill by 27%
Having worked at City Hall for almost eight years prior to the current administration, I remain friends or friendly with dozens of city employees: in the Police and Fire Departments, over at the “Rock” (our endearing term for the DPW facility), in every division of Public Works, and in Planning and Development. Often, I receive whispers of wrongdoing, or … [Read more...] about How I Found Out Mayor David Secretly Cut His Property Tax Bill by 27%
Community Forum: Broome County Safe Housing Task Force Needs to Hear Your Stories
The Broome County Safe Housing Task Force will be hosting its first community forum this coming Tuesday, February 5, from 5:00 - 7:00pm, at the Broome County Public Library. The Task Force was announced by County Executive Jason Garnar last fall. According to the County's website, "This collaborative coalition brings together department representatives, … [Read more...] about Community Forum: Broome County Safe Housing Task Force Needs to Hear Your Stories
