mi casa no es tu casa

The younger generation and even some of the older Americans have become soft and lazy while choosing to also abandon traditional beliefs and have adopted a laissez faire attitude towards almost everything. This results in a mentality that they are owed something by someone else because they don’t make it themselves or expect more than they are are actually capable of being. Those people that actually have overcome life’s hurdles to be productive are expected to make up for the failings of others. That’s not how it works folks… Equality and Equity cannot be achieved when it is enforced by violence from the government. 

The very foundations of America and the ideals of the Founding Fathers are being attacked so that this Wokeism generation can shirk the realities of life as it has been since creation. We are as a living being are expected to contribute to the overall survival of our species by helping build it up… not tear it down by promoting dependence upon others, promoting immoral behaviors that defy the laws of nature and decrease propagation of our species and accepting medical treatments that modify the very basics of our bodies. 

If You claim any affiliation with the God of the Bible… you shall never promote and/or protect immorality, you shall not surrender the temple of God to anyone… you shall not promote welfare but encourage and help people help themselves.  Christ always made the people he helped do something for themselves first. The plain and simple fact is that there are unfortunately the incorrigible ones that We can only pray for. 

As long as We the People keep on electing people that promote these self-inflicted issues and even work to promote the degradation of America… we will continue to falter until America is no more.  

DLG Council Candidate Survey

Last week I reached out to a dozen or so local residents that own property and run businesses in Dillingham.  I asked for their assistance in composing a list of questions for the people campaigning to represent Us on the Dillingham City Council and as Mayor.  The response was overwhelming with many of the people asking a lot of the same questions… here Ya’ go folks. I suggest that if you like the list… copy and paste it into an email to the City of Dillingham (communitysuggestions@dillinghamak.us) as a suggestion for the upcoming ‘debate’ on September 27, 28 and 29, 2021. 

In order to help voters become informed about the issues surrounding governance in Dillingham, We submit the following questions to candidates seeking to be elected to two council seats and the position of Mayor.  As the election is fast approaching it is expected that responses be returned no later than September 25, 2021 so that voters can have ample opportunity to review response and make informed choices when casting their votes.

1. What do you see as the single biggest issue facing the City of Dillingham in the next 3 years?
2. What do you plan to do to help curb deficit spending by the City of Dillingham?
3. Will you support the City of Dillingham providing funding for the Dillingham City School District if the curriculum contains social justice and/or critical race theory based education supplements?
4. Will you support the increase of any taxes on sales, services and property within the City of Dillingham?
5. Will you support the maintaining of EO 2020-22… the ‘permanent emergency’ ordinance that ceded the council’s regulatory authority to the City Manager?
6. What can the City of Dillingham do to help keep more of the commercial fishing fleet based out of Dillingham thus increasing it’s economic impact upon our community?
7. What can the City of Dillingham do to help increase economic opportunities for residents? 
8. What can be done to increase job performance of City employees and/or contractors to make sure We the taxpayers are getting our money’s worth?

We look forward to your replies.

Thanks,

Jon Corbett

Permanent Emergency

Personally, I do not believe that the City Council is even considering letting the Permanent Emergency Ordinance sunset.  Just the way the extension was written and introduced as a done deal seems to be evidence enough.

“Introduced: March 4, Public Hearing: April 1, 2021 Adopted:, 2021

Section 1. Classification. This is a non-code ordinance.

Section 2. Declaration of Emergency. The council declares that the coronavirus

threat and impact remain a public health emergency.

Section 3. Authority. This ordinance is enacted pursuant to the general police powers of the City of Dillingham, and the City’s authority to regulate use of public facilities such as streets and highways and the Dillingham Port.

Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance extends Ordinance No. 2020-22(S) in its entirety, to September 3, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. unless adjusted by action of the City Council.

PASSED and ADOPTED by the Dillingham City Council on April 1, 2021.”

 

That’s a straight copy and paste from the minutes of the March City Council Meeting.  Here’s the link for entire minutes…. The extension of 2020-22 is on pages 65-67.

https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dillingak-pubu/MEET-Packet-e860600302a043cdbd61ff60d79ae088.pdf

Oh, and by the way…

When did the voters of Dillingham ever approve the current taxation system as required by law? 

Save Us Uncle Sam… again and again and again

 $900 Billion divided by US population of 328 Million =

$2743.9024390243903 Per US Capita

– $600 Hypothetical Perfect Per Capita Payout* = $2143.9024390243903

X 328Million =

$703,200,000,000.00…POOF!

 

 

Where Does it Come From & Where Does It Go & Who Is Paying For It?

In 2019, the gross federal debt amounted to around 69,060 U.S. dollars per capita.

 

 

It’s more than likely to make a big gain this year… which means more taxes for everyone and from all levels and most assuredly the lives of everyday Americans will not really change much, certainly not for the better.

 

And Yes… Our nation is still spending billions overseas but not really to the amounts that people think.  The biggest overseas expenditures are really listed as ‘aid’ to foreign nations because they are more related to national ‘defense’ issues. 

 

 

👀There are literally millions of words in the almost 6000 page “Relief/Rescue” bill that base the actual amount upon things like past income and benefit, the $600 is the hypothetical perfect situation that most Americans do not fall under.  So that means that the $703.2 Billion of POOF money is actually higher. 

 

Digging the hole deeper isn’t fixing anything and only works to entrench the corporate enslavement of We the People.  

BTW… Trumps threat to VETO the ‘Rescue/Relief’ bill and wanting the per capita payout increased to $2000.00 is something that he is doing right.  Those resources that the corporatocracy in DC keep on POOFing away as America falters all around belong to We the People.  

No Pretty Picture To Accompany This Post Because There's Quite Simply Nothing Pretty About The Situation.

Thursday Thoughts...Redacted

 Now that I’m having to use my creative outlet of writing under advice to avoid topics concerning my local and state governments, sometimes finding something else to write about can be quite the challenge.  I am naturally drawn to topics that more directly affect me, my family and my friends, thus why I’ve concentrated on local, regional and state topics.  Whether you agree with my positions on issues, I still have the right to publish my views on them as long as I am civil and factual.  For example… the taxation issue that I’ve brought up many times before.

 

Yes, the government needs funding and I strongly believe that if they want to take that funding from people that have already paid income taxes, local governments should diligently strive to constrain spending so that it does not exceed their legal income. If the local government is mandated to spend more money than it has, it should first seek full-relief from the entity that is mandating any spending.  The next course of action is to draw up a responsible and detailed fiscal plan and present it in-full to the constituents.  Then if more funding is needed and the government decides to use taxation to acquire it…  they must follow the prescribed method by which to enact a taxation schedule.

 

The State of Alaska Statutes clearly states that modifications and additional taxes must be approved by a majority of the Voters in a public Referendum and the City of Dillingham Municipal Code references this exact statute.  But this is not how things operate here in Dillingham Alaska. Despite the fact that this has been brought to the attention of the Mayor, City Council and Manager’s office many times before, not one thing has been done to remedy this fault. 

 

Why is that?  

§29.45.670

 “Dillingham Municipal Code

Title 4 REVENUE AND FINANCE

Chapter 4.20 SALES TAX..4.20.010 General.

The city shall levy and collect a tax on sales, rents, and services provided within the city, pursuant to the provisions of AS 29.45.700(c) and 29.45.650 through 29.45.670, this chapter and Chapter 4.23, to be deposited in the general fund of the city and used for general revenue for the city. (Ord. 00-03 § 1 (part), 2000; Ord. 20-03 § 3, 2020.)”

“Alaska Statutes

 

Sec. 29.45.670. Referendum, adoption, and modification. 
A new sales and use tax or an increase in the rate of levy of a sales tax approved by ordinance does not take effect until ratified by a majority of the voters at an election.”

 

 

The City of Dillingham has never put the current tax regime and the many changes they have made to the tax codes before the Voters as required by Alaska Law. 

 

References:

 

https://www.codepublishing.com/AK/Dillingham/#!/Dillingham04/Dillingham0420.html#4.20.010

 

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/statutes.asp#29.45.670

10-19-2020 through 10-23-2020 aka FRUSTRATION & FUTILITY

 On Monday, I posted a ranting about the newest version of the City of Dillingham’s proposed ‘Emergency’ ordinance as pertaining to the Covid-19 ‘crisis’.  In that ranting I used some stronger language than I normally do and I left out something that I usually proffer when I write about public issues, a suggested solution.  When I was asked about this, I had to stop and think about what a positive spun solution would look like.  I drew a blank…

 

This drawing of a blank is due to factors that are beyond my control and/or influence:

1.    Despite the overwhelming opposition to continued expansion of government powers of the people they are supposed to be representing, the elected officials in Dillingham have wholly chosen to ignore the people in favor of pandering to their good ole’ boy network of family, friends and co-workers. Those are the people that benefit the most from totalitarian governance and selective administration of the resources of the people. 

2.    I do on a regular basis reach out and submit comments, suggestions and complaints to my elected representatives in all 3 levels of Our government.  I rarely get any response from the federal level other than stock reply messages with no follow-up.  On the State level, I get a bit more interaction depending on which legislators I reach out to on topics.  I never get replies from Senator Hoffman… and the only replies I’ve ever received from Representative Edgmon are complaints and admonishments based on my written rants.  Nary a reply to positive action suggestions on topics like intrastate drug trafficking, high shipping costs or helping our neighboring communities.  The same rings entirely true with my interactions with local elected officials… and I know that I am not the only one that has experienced these circumstances while dealing with the governments of We the People.  

3.    Trying to play nice or using honey to attract interaction is proving to be a futile effort in today’s socio-political environment. So many people have been sucked into the self-glorification of politics and power that they have forgotten the basics of the American way and dream.  When I write to Our representatives on issues and such; I always remain civil, factual and offer thought out suggestions/solutions. For example… as a founding member of the fbook group called ‘theBAYpac’, I led the authoring of several pieces aimed at addressing some rather serious socio-economic issues that are taking their toll on Southwestern Alaska.  All of these commentaries were also sent/submitted to all manner or government entities. Guess what… no replies in the positive or negative.  

 

 

So, what is it going to take to make the City Council ‘WOKE‽’

 

FRIDAY UPDATE:  Since Monday I have peened and transmitted a letter to the Mayor and the entire Council on the topic of ‘Emergency Ordinance 2020-22’ which I publicly posted here:

https://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2020/10/dillingham-emergency-ordinance-2020-22.html  I did receive one response so far from Mayor Ruby that indicated that she would share the letter with the Council and she said;

“Just one thing that I would note.  We have had more participation in recent meetings than I recall having in many years and I presume that it is because residents have been able to call in to participate.”

Nothing about the actual substance of the letter at all.  This type of communications is what I have begrudgingly learned to accept from the elected representatives of We the people on all levels.  Just last week I sent a copy of my post called ‘Taxation Without Representation’ (https://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2020/10/taxation-without-representation.html) to the Mayor and Council… with one reply:

 

“ Chris Napoli	Thu, Oct 15, 5:44 PM (8 days ago)
to me

Jon,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.  

Best regards,

Chris”

 

Not one mention of the actual topic… no follow through… no phone calls… nothing whatsoever.  I can show this to be the pattern that is situation normal for them for years. Now not to whine about this too much… but it is disheartening to essentially be ignored by elected officials on a consistent and regular basis.  When elected, they swear an oath to represent ALL constituents, not just their buddies and paycheck signers. The ideal of representative government is that ALL the people have a voice and you get out of it what you put in.  That is NOT what’s happening in Dillingham or the rest of Western Alaska... heck not in the rest of the republic either.  So, I ask again…

 

‘So, what is it going to take to make the City Council ‘WOKE‽’

How To Recall A Municipal Official In Alaska

 By Request…

 

Last night the Dillingham City Council moved forward with adopting new facets to the already in place Emergency Order concerning how the municipality deals with the ongoing Covid-19 situation. After the telephonic meeting, I had several residents text me about what could be done.  At first my answer was; ‘Not Much.’, But that’s not entirely true…

 

Later in the evening a friend texted me and asked if there was a way to conduct a vote of ‘No Confidence’.  I had never heard of this, but I do know that there is a recall process laid out in the statutes… 

 

“Sec. 29.26.240. Recall.

An official who is elected or appointed to an elective municipal office may be recalled by the voters after the official has served the first 120 days of the term for which elected or appointed.

Sec. 29.26.250. Grounds for recall.

Grounds for recall are misconduct in office, incompetence, or failure to perform prescribed duties.

Sec. 29.26.260. Application for recall petition.

(a) An application for a recall petition shall be filed with the municipal clerk and must contain

(1) the signatures and residence addresses of at least 10 municipal voters who will sponsor the petition;

(2) the name and address of the contact person and an alternate to whom all correspondence relating to the petition may be sent; and

(3) a statement in 200 words or less of the grounds for recall stated with particularity.

(b) An additional sponsor may be added at any time before the petition is filed by submitting the name of the sponsor to the clerk.

Sec. 29.26.270. Recall petition.

(a) If the municipal clerk determines that an application for a recall petition meets the requirements of AS 29.26.260, the clerk shall prepare a recall petition. All copies of the petition must contain

(1) the name of the official sought to be recalled;

(2) the statement of the grounds for recall as set out in the application for petition;

(3) the date the petition is issued by the clerk;

(4) notice that signatures must be secured within 60 days after the date the petition is issued;

(5) spaces for each signature, the printed name of each signer, the date of each signature, and the residence and mailing addresses of each signer;

(6) a statement, with space for the sponsor’s sworn signature and date of signing, that the sponsor personally circulated the petition, that all signatures were affixed in the presence of the sponsor, and that the sponsor believes the signatures to be those of the persons whose names they purport to be; and

(7) space for indicating the number of signatures on the petition.

(b) The clerk shall notify the contact person in writing when the petition is available. That person is responsible for notifying sponsors. Copies of the petition shall be provided by the clerk to each sponsor who appears in the clerk’s office and requests a petition, and the clerk shall mail the petition to each sponsor who requests that the petition be mailed.

Sec. 29.26.280. Signature requirements.

(a) The signatures on a recall petition shall be secured within 60 days after the date the clerk issues the petition. The statement provided under AS 29.26.270(a)(6) shall be completed and signed by the sponsor. Signatures shall be in ink or indelible pencil.

(b) The clerk shall determine the number of signatures required on a petition and inform the contact person in writing. If a petition seeks to recall an official who represents the municipality at large, the petition shall be signed by a number of voters equal to 25 percent of the number of votes cast for that office at the last regular election held before the date written notice is given to the contact person that the petition is available. If a petition seeks to recall an official who represents a district, the petition shall be signed by a number of the voters residing in the district equal to 25 percent of the number of votes cast in the district for that office at the last regular election held before the date the written notice is given to the contact person that the petition is available.

(c) Illegible signatures shall be rejected by the clerk unless accompanied by a legible printed name. Signatures not accompanied by a legible residence shall be rejected.

(d) A petition signer may withdraw the signer’s signature upon written application to the clerk before certification of the petition.

Sec. 29.26.290. Sufficiency of petition.

(a) The copies of a recall petition shall be assembled and filed as a single instrument. A petition may not be filed within 180 days before the end of the term of office of the official sought to be recalled. Within 10 days after the date a petition is filed, the municipal clerk shall

(1) certify on the petition whether it is sufficient; and

(2) if the petition is insufficient, identify the insufficiency and notify the contact person by certified mail.

(b) A petition that is insufficient may be supplemented with additional signatures obtained and filed before the 11th day after the date on which the petition is rejected if

(1) the petition contains an adequate number of signatures, counting both valid and invalid signatures; and

(2) the supplementary petition is filed more than 180 days before the end of the term of office of the official sought to be recalled.

(c) A petition that is insufficient shall be rejected and filed as a public record unless it is supplemented under (b) of this section. Within 10 days after the supplementary filing the clerk shall recertify the petition. If it is still insufficient, the petition is rejected and filed as a public record.

 

Based upon the numbers of the last municipal election here in Dillingham, 25% of the 358 ballots cast would equal 90. The key to this would be the actual language of the 200-word petition.  It would have to clearly demonstrate that the official being recalled had in some manner violated law or shirked duties that they swore an oath to uphold.  The City of Dillingham’s website says this about the role of the council:

“Dillingham City Council

The Dillingham City Council comprises six members who are elected at large by residents of the City of Dillingham to designated seats. A term of office is three years.

The City Council serves as the legislative body for the City of Dillingham. Its responsibilities include  enacting laws that govern the city, setting the mill rate for property taxes, approving the annual budget, and appropriating funds to provide for city services. The City Council also establishes policy statements that affect the overall operation of the city.”

 

Resources:
Alaska Recall Process: 

http://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#29.26.240

 

City of Dillingham October 2020 Election Results: Page 31-38

https://www.dillinghamak.us/vertical/sites/%7BC84DE958-9EE4-4CFE-90E3-D1666668A90E%7D/uploads/Packet_10.15.2020_Special_Meeting.pdf

 

City of Dillingham Website City Council Page: 

https://www.dillinghamak.us/index.asp?SEC=BD4F94AA-00BA-49E5-81DC-88EABE69E721&Type=B_BASIC

 

Taxation Without Representation

One of the founding ideals of the republic of several states that We know as the United States of America is that We The People shall not be taxed without representation and consent.  The issues surrounding the taxation of colonists led to such famous events as the ‘Boston Tea Party’ on December 16, 1773.  There have also been tax protests in modern times but most have failed because there is a segment of the US population that firmly believes that they are owed a portion of the earnings and perceived value of property of others.  Time and time again the courts have ruled in favor of these taxes… most of the time those rulings are validation of existing code that prescribes taxes.

 

However, in the City of Dillingham there is NO valid code that authorizes any taxation.  This is pure fact as attested to by former government employees in the attached documents. The State of Alaska law states clearly that any taxation must be approved by a public referendum.  There has never been a public vote on the current tax structure used by the City of Dillingham and all taxes enacted since July 1, 1977 are illegal. Below is a copy of a fact sheet submitted by a former City of Dillingham resident concerning the issue.  The key facts are #2 #4 which is also sworn to by affidavit of a City employee.   

 

In fact, the City of Dillingham’s own Attorney in 1994 warned the municipality that the Voters had never ratified any tax regime and that any changes to the in-place taxation scheme would likely create a problem.  This problem did in-fact arise sometime later as the City of Dillingham chose to pursue through the courts several property owners that had not submitted the illegal tax payments.  However, the Judge in those cases was the former City Attorney and in a CYA move, ruled to toss out the evidence that clearly showed that the taxation scheme being used by the City of Dillingham was illegal. 

 

The point of this post is to fully inform other residents and property owners of these facts so that they may act to rectify the situation.  If in fact people believe that they are owed some portion of another person’s income and/or property value, then it must be done so in accordance with the laws of the State of Alaska.  The City of Dillingham Council must immediately suspend all collection of taxes and then submit to the voters a fair and non-progressive taxation schedule. This is the only correct way to fix an issue that should have never come about in the first place.

I will be submitting a slightly modified version of this in the form of a letter to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager and heads of the BBs.  I have raised this issue with the Mayor and Council in writing before with absolutely no response from anyone.  So in saying that, I may also seek assistance in getting this published in the ‘regional’ newspaper so as to expand the audience and raise the issue to a higher level of concern for those that are not aware of these facts.

Attached:
PDF https://docdro.id/LVhgkgu

 with Affidavit and Attorney letters explaining the absence of any valid code regarding taxation in Dillingham, Alaska

 

Links to my blog posts related to taxation:
Please note that not all links in the blog posts are valid because I was completely removed from facebook and any posts by me (and on any facebook pages) have been deleted by facebook.

 

https://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2018/01/no-thanks-for-reminder.html

 

https://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/search/label/taxes

 

 

 

 

 

No Thanks For The Reminder...

Earlier today a post showed up in a local social media group as a reminder that the City of Dillingham want's their due... My mind wandered a bit as I decided if I should comment my thoughts or just be quiet.  So I chose to actually write out my comment because there is no way that I can remain silent on something that makes little to no sense.  The multiple layer taxation systems that are essentially enslavement of another form are confusing at best.  

BTW...

And The Trump/GOP Congressional Tax Package Didn't Even Fix This.  What A Way To Make America Gag Again. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=irs+swat&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=insv&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjl_7GXxMvYAhUGz2MKHZBHCm0Q_AUIDigA&biw=375&bih=553&dpr=2

On Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AKjoncorbett/posts/10209122200926591