Prince George's County (transplants, vacation home, transfer)

[GolfinESQ.]

Fishfister: I grew up in Ft Wash, so I know the Crossland/Camp Springs/Temple Hills area very well. I went to Friendly HS; graduated in '93. The character of that corridor of Allentown Rd has changed over the years which, in my view, is attributable to a lack of economic development. The problems you highlight with the county are quite accurate - opportunistic politicians, hampered police force. But your reference to the black teens (in your neighborhood) as "thugs in a rap video" is a little disturbing, for I'm not really sure what you're implying. Granted, some of the wannabe-thug-looking black teens may truly be what their image depicts. But looks can also be deceiving; bear that in mind.

As a life-long Prince Georgian, I have my frustrations with the county, particularly the school system. But I know for a fact that many of the problems with our school system, have more to do with the lack of parental involvement and gross mis-management by the brass, than anything else. So Iscalder's view that an increase in property taxes will somehow cause a miraculous change in the schools is misinformed, as it completely ignores the realities of a school's purpose. The school is supposed to give instruction which the parents are duty bound to reinforce at home. No amount of funding will have an affect on this basic tenet. For example, when I was in school my father would not let me go outside to play until: (1) I did my homework, (2) he checked it, and (3) it was correct. And if my paper had too many erasure marks from the numerous errors he'd found, he made me write it out all over again on a clean piece of paper. I know this doesn't happen in every house because, as Md-Boy stated, parents are too busy working to pay for houses they truly can't afford. And that's sad. What good is having a huge house, if you're not home to check homework and do it adequately? My wife and are expecting our firstborn in June. As a result, I left my job in a large D.C. law firm to work as an attorney in the federal govt. Sure, I took a paycut (though still okay by my standards) and there is less allure being a government lawyer, but I will be home to check my child's homework. This, however, only solves one part of the problem. The other part should be done at the polls. [Note: Both Jack Johnson and Al Wynn won by slim majorities in the last election, which shows that Prince Georgian's are wising up]. Things will get better.

[lscalder]

Originally Posted by GolfinESQ.

Fishfister: I grew up in Ft Wash, so I know the Crossland/Camp Springs/Temple Hills area very well. I went to Friendly HS; graduated in '93. The character of that corridor of Allentown Rd has changed over the years which, in my view, is attributable to a lack of economic development. The problems you highlight with the county are quite accurate - opportunistic politicians, hampered police force. But your reference to the black teens (in your neighborhood) as "thugs in a rap video" is a little disturbing, for I'm not really sure what you're implying. Granted, some of the wannabe-thug-looking black teens may truly be what their image depicts. But looks can also be deceiving; bear that in mind.

As a life-long Prince Georgian, I have my frustrations with the county, particularly the school system. But I know for a fact that many of the problems with our school system, have more to do with the lack of parental involvement and gross mis-management by the brass, than anything else. So Iscalder's view that an increase in property taxes will somehow cause a miraculous change in the schools is misinformed, as it completely ignores the realities of a school's purpose. The school is supposed to give instruction which the parents are duty bound to reinforce at home. No amount of funding will have an affect on this basic tenet. For example, when I was in school my father would not let me go outside to play until: (1) I did my homework, (2) he checked it, and (3) it was correct. And if my paper had too many erasure marks from the numerous errors he'd found, he made me write it out all over again on a clean piece of paper. I know this doesn't happen in every house because, as Md-Boy stated, parents are too busy working to pay for houses they truly can't afford. And that's sad. What good is having a huge house, if you're not home to check homework and do it adequately? My wife and are expecting our firstborn in June. As a result, I left my job in a large D.C. law firm to work as an attorney in the federal govt. Sure, I took a paycut (though still okay by my standards) and there is less allure being a government lawyer, but I will be home to check my child's homework. This, however, only solves one part of the problem. The other part should be done at the polls. [Note: Both Jack Johnson and Al Wynn won by slim majorities in the last election, which shows that Prince Georgian's are wising up]. Things will get better.

If you want to change the school system meaning low test scores you have to increase property tax. The reason why Montgomery county school is one of the best in Maryland is due to the fact that low income families can not afford to live in Montgomery county which is due to their high property tax which increase house values,rent for apartments,commercial space and it also brings in a whole different flock of income class which will be higher income. When you have an county or city with majority poor then you will have an issue with the school system which is one reason why Montgomery county is rank so high because they have a low flock of low income families.
The same goes for Washington DC. DC increase their property tax which then increase rent. I remember 10 yrs ago when DC was nothing but Homeless on the street and plenty of crack heads walking around but now since they increase property tax majority of the lower income families can no longer afford to live in DC so they move to PG county and brought all of their crimes here. Now Pg county is doing the exact same thing as Montgomery county and DC. When you have a county of majority higher income families the county can now afford to have better schools,more police officers,less crimes,more parents involvement in school. If the county was majority parents like you and your wife wouldn't you think the school system would get better. The county is doing the right thing,keep on increasing those property taxes.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by lscalder

If you want to change the school system meaning low test scores you have to increase property tax. The reason why Montgomery county school is one of the best in Maryland is due to the fact that low income families can not afford to live in Montgomery county which is due to their high property tax which increase house values,rent for apartments,commercial space and it also brings in a whole different flock of income class which will be higher income. When you have an county or city with majority poor then you will have an issue with the school system which is one reason why Montgomery county is rank so high because they have a low flock of low income families.
The same goes for Washington DC. DC increase their property tax which then increase rent. I remember 10 yrs ago when DC was nothing but Homeless on the street and plenty of crack heads walking around but now since they increase property tax majority of the lower income families can no longer afford to live in DC so they move to PG county and brought all of their crimes here. Now Pg county is doing the exact same thing as Montgomery county and DC. When you have a county of majority higher income families the county can now afford to have better schools,more police officers,less crimes,more parents involvement in school. If the county was majority parents like you and your wife wouldn't you think the school system would get better. The county is doing the right thing,keep on increasing those property taxes.

Once again I stand(actually sit) in wonder at Maryland. Citizens actually organizing and calling for tax increases just so they can pay more taxes and make the cost of living higher.

[RFMD]

Golfin: I do agree with you.

BTW: Donna Edwards is going to win by a good margin this go around and I think Albert realizes he is in serious jeopardy of losing his stronghold as an incumbent.

[truthhurts]

Originally Posted by GolfinESQ.

Fishfister: I grew up in Ft Wash, so I know the Crossland/Camp Springs/Temple Hills area very well. I went to Friendly HS; graduated in '93. The character of that corridor of Allentown Rd has changed over the years which, in my view, is attributable to a lack of economic development. The problems you highlight with the county are quite accurate - opportunistic politicians, hampered police force. But your reference to the black teens (in your neighborhood) as "thugs in a rap video" is a little disturbing, for I'm not really sure what you're implying. Granted, some of the wannabe-thug-looking black teens may truly be what their image depicts. But looks can also be deceiving; bear that in mind.

As a life-long Prince Georgian, I have my frustrations with the county, particularly the school system. But I know for a fact that many of the problems with our school system, have more to do with the lack of parental involvement and gross mis-management by the brass, than anything else. So Iscalder's view that an increase in property taxes will somehow cause a miraculous change in the schools is misinformed, as it completely ignores the realities of a school's purpose. The school is supposed to give instruction which the parents are duty bound to reinforce at home. No amount of funding will have an affect on this basic tenet. For example, when I was in school my father would not let me go outside to play until: (1) I did my homework, (2) he checked it, and (3) it was correct. And if my paper had too many erasure marks from the numerous errors he'd found, he made me write it out all over again on a clean piece of paper. I know this doesn't happen in every house because, as Md-Boy stated, parents are too busy working to pay for houses they truly can't afford. And that's sad. What good is having a huge house, if you're not home to check homework and do it adequately? My wife and are expecting our firstborn in June. As a result, I left my job in a large D.C. law firm to work as an attorney in the federal govt. Sure, I took a paycut (though still okay by my standards) and there is less allure being a government lawyer, but I will be home to check my child's homework. This, however, only solves one part of the problem. The other part should be done at the polls. [Note: Both Jack Johnson and Al Wynn won by slim majorities in the last election, which shows that Prince Georgian's are wising up]. Things will get better.

100% music to my ears. Now notice. He had a father in his life, that pushed him to excel. A dad who focused him on Academics and oddly enough wound up a lawyer, is that really that amazing? I agree with you 100% if parents did their jobs the school system would not be in the predicament it is in. However, Iscalder has a very valid point. No matter how you want to say it poor people usually do not give a darn about their kids academics.

1. They most likely do not understand the importance
2. They most likely cannot offer much help
3. Some think its the schools jobs and not their job to educated their children

Certainly there are anamolies of single parent poor household that go against this trend, but clearly they are not remotely close to being the majority in this group of misfits.

The role that parents play in a child's life is sooo important and setting high standards and letting your child know he/she can do or be anything they want if they do well in school is huge!

Also I would disagree that raising property taxes is the issue. I think lowering taxes on wealthier families would probably bring more of them to the county and revitalizing the poorer areas, which due to market forces will raise rents and taxes due to higher appreciation. Then i think once you get an established middle class base in these areas you can raise taxes. The poor of this area will have no problem living off the government in another county and Prince George's should help them in that direction.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by truthhurts

100% music to my ears. Now notice. He had a father in his life, that pushed him to excel. A dad who focused him on Academics and oddly enough wound up a lawyer, is that really that amazing? I agree with you 100% if parents did their jobs the school system would not be in the predicament it is in. However, Iscalder has a very valid point. No matter how you want to say it poor people usually do not give a darn about their kids academics.

1. They most likely do not understand the importance
2. They most likely cannot offer much help
3. Some think its the schools jobs and not their job to educated their children

Certainly there are anamolies of single parent poor household that go against this trend, but clearly they are not remotely close to being the majority in this group of misfits.

The role that parents play in a child's life is sooo important and setting high standards and letting your child know he/she can do or be anything they want if they do well in school is huge!

Also I would disagree that raising property taxes is the issue. I think lowering taxes on wealthier families would probably bring more of them to the county and revitalizing the poorer areas, which due to market forces will raise rents and taxes due to higher appreciation. Then i think once you get an established middle class base in these areas you can raise taxes. The poor of this area will have no problem living off the government in another county and Prince George's should help them in that direction.

Come on Truth you are in business school. They will not be living off of the government in another county but off of the taxpayers and residents of that county. They will begin to compete with senior citizens for tax dollars. That will create a cholce for government when it comes to budget time. Relocated thugs or Grandma?

[GolfinESQ.]

Originally Posted by truthhurts

100% music to my ears. Now notice. He had a father in his life, that pushed him to excel. A dad who focused him on Academics and oddly enough wound up a lawyer, is that really that amazing? I agree with you 100% if parents did their jobs the school system would not be in the predicament it is in. However, Iscalder has a very valid point. No matter how you want to say it poor people usually do not give a darn about their kids academics.

1. They most likely do not understand the importance
2. They most likely cannot offer much help
3. Some think its the schools jobs and not their job to educated their children

Certainly there are anamolies of single parent poor household that go against this trend, but clearly they are not remotely close to being the majority in this group of misfits.

The role that parents play in a child's life is sooo important and setting high standards and letting your child know he/she can do or be anything they want if they do well in school is huge!

Also I would disagree that raising property taxes is the issue. I think lowering taxes on wealthier families would probably bring more of them to the county and revitalizing the poorer areas, which due to market forces will raise rents and taxes due to higher appreciation. Then i think once you get an established middle class base in these areas you can raise taxes. The poor of this area will have no problem living off the government in another county and Prince George's should help them in that direction.

I disagree with you - Poor people are not the problem in the County. Granted, there are poor families that don't understand the importance of education, can't offer help to their child, or think it's the school's job to educate their child. But just as there are exceptions to that rule, the converse is also true. What about the family that lives in a "GOOD" area where the property taxes are higher, but aren't home to check homework and do the other intangibles it takes to reinforce what the child is learning? Put another way, higher property taxes will certainly prohibit families with certain incomes from moving to certain neighborhoods, but that doesn't necessarily assure that your school system will improve.

To illustrate this point and to disprove Iscalder's poitn, my wife and I are doing okay and we're looking to move out of our townhouse in Bowie into a SF. But the house we wanted to buy in southern Prince George's (Ft. Wash/Accokeek) had a property tax bill of $6,000 which is set to go up to $6800 the following year. In real dollars, that's an additional $500-$600 a month. But guess what that the HSA scores are for those area schools - somewhere b/w 50-60%. Conversely, a friend of mine who lives in the Stonegate community in Montgomery County (which generally has a better school system) pays $4,000 in property taxes. And he bought his house for $600K. His friend, up the street from him, bought a house for $750K; his property taxes were $4900 last year.

To further disprove Iscalder's point that an increasing property taxes is the solution to fixing county schools. Guess what Maryland county pays the highest amount of property taxes in the state? That's right . . . Prince George's. Guess what county's school system is the second worst in the state? That's right, Prince George's. So don't tell me that increasing property taxes is the issue, as the numbers directly refute that assertion.

Active participation in your child's education is the key to a better school system. And as I pointed in my first post, the old brass (leadership) in the County is the problem. I just heard the other day that they're discussing plans to bring the DC United to Prince George's. That means a new stadium. Are you kidding me? What about the schools; this is what your county leadership is doing. But I'll say it again, Prince Georgian's are wising up and you will see a change.

And Iscalder, if you feel compelled to respond to this, please do so in clear and cogent sentences . . . PLEASE! If you're going to rep PG on this thread, you gotta do it the right way. C'mon sista.

[truthhurts]

Originally Posted by GolfinESQ.

I disagree with you - Poor people are not the problem in the County. Granted, there are poor families that don't understand the importance of education, can't offer help to their child, or think it's the school's job to educate their child. But just as there are exceptions to that rule, the converse is also true. What about the family that lives in a "GOOD" area where the property taxes are higher, but aren't home to check homework and do the other intangibles it takes to reinforce what the child is learning? Put another way, higher property taxes will certainly prohibit families with certain incomes from moving to certain neighborhoods, but that doesn't necessarily assure that your school system will improve.

To illustrate this point and to disprove Iscalder's poitn, my wife and I are doing okay and we're looking to move out of our townhouse in Bowie into a SF. But the house we wanted to buy in southern Prince George's (Ft. Wash/Accokeek) had a property tax bill of $6,000 which is set to go up to $6800 the following year. In real dollars, that's an additional $500-$600 a month. But guess what that the HSA scores are for those area schools - somewhere b/w 50-60%. Conversely, a friend of mine who lives in the Stonegate community in Montgomery County (which generally has a better school system) pays $4,000 in property taxes. And he bought his house for $600K. His friend, up the street from him, bought a house for $750K; his property taxes were $4900 last year.

To further disprove Iscalder's point that an increasing property taxes is the solution to fixing county schools. Guess what Maryland county pays the highest amount of property taxes in the state? That's right . . . Prince George's. Guess what county's school system is the second worst in the state? That's right, Prince George's. So don't tell me that increasing property taxes is the issue, as the numbers directly refute that assertion.

Active participation in your child's education is the key to a better school system. And as I pointed in my first post, the old brass (leadership) in the County is the problem. I just heard the other day that they're discussing plans to bring the DC United to Prince George's. That means a new stadium. Are you kidding me? What about the schools; this is what your county leadership is doing. But I'll say it again, Prince Georgian's are wising up and you will see a change.

And Iscalder, if you feel compelled to respond to this, please do so in clear and cogent sentences . . . PLEASE! If you're going to rep PG on this thread, you gotta do it the right way. C'mon sista.

Golf, we are in argreement on most all topics, so i think this was totally meant to be addressed to Iscalder. Anyway, getting back to parents are the most important tool in a child's life for academic success. I watched the most touching PBS special last night about Baltimore City kids and I'd highly recommend most on this board watch it. It shows poor inner city project kids from Baltimore sent out of the city to Africa to learn and get better schooling. However, what you notice is that the family structure these children come from is horrible. The parents are extremely abusive and can offer no real help whatsoever, so they place everything on the backs of the schools. It was a really sad but touching documentary.

P.O.V. - The Boys of Baraka | PBS

Perhaps many of you will find it as interesting as I did. After watching this i'm even more pissed off at the Al Sharptons & Jesse Jackson race baitors of our community. Here we have real problems and they're worried about white guys calling black girls "Ho's." Here we have school systems failing black youth everyday and they're more worried about black people voting democratic and electing these same useless officals. They're more concerned with marching on some small town in America for a basically useless cause. They're more worried about pointing the finger at President Bush than are about doing anything that would be remotely useful to help "poor blacks" the people they claim to support. Just drives me up a wall after watching this PBS special. Sorry, to go so far off topic.

In reference for you higher taxes look no further than the inner beltway. As they say "Work harder many on welfare depend on you!"

[lscalder]

Originally Posted by GolfinESQ.

I disagree with you - Poor people are not the problem in the County. Granted, there are poor families that don't understand the importance of education, can't offer help to their child, or think it's the school's job to educate their child. But just as there are exceptions to that rule, the converse is also true. What about the family that lives in a "GOOD" area where the property taxes are higher, but aren't home to check homework and do the other intangibles it takes to reinforce what the child is learning? Put another way, higher property taxes will certainly prohibit families with certain incomes from moving to certain neighborhoods, but that doesn't necessarily assure that your school system will improve.

To illustrate this point and to disprove Iscalder's poitn, my wife and I are doing okay and we're looking to move out of our townhouse in Bowie into a SF. But the house we wanted to buy in southern Prince George's (Ft. Wash/Accokeek) had a property tax bill of $6,000 which is set to go up to $6800 the following year. In real dollars, that's an additional $500-$600 a month. But guess what that the HSA scores are for those area schools - somewhere b/w 50-60%. Conversely, a friend of mine who lives in the Stonegate community in Montgomery County (which generally has a better school system) pays $4,000 in property taxes. And he bought his house for $600K. His friend, up the street from him, bought a house for $750K; his property taxes were $4900 last year.

To further disprove Iscalder's point that an increasing property taxes is the solution to fixing county schools. Guess what Maryland county pays the highest amount of property taxes in the state? That's right . . . Prince George's. Guess what county's school system is the second worst in the state? That's right, Prince George's. So don't tell me that increasing property taxes is the issue, as the numbers directly refute that assertion.

Active participation in your child's education is the key to a better school system. And as I pointed in my first post, the old brass (leadership) in the County is the problem. I just heard the other day that they're discussing plans to bring the DC United to Prince George's. That means a new stadium. Are you kidding me? What about the schools; this is what your county leadership is doing. But I'll say it again, Prince Georgian's are wising up and you will see a change.

And Iscalder, if you feel compelled to respond to this, please do so in clear and cogent sentences . . . PLEASE! If you're going to rep PG on this thread, you gotta do it the right way. C'mon sista.

The poorer cities,poorer families in Pg county is whats holding down the county. If you do your homework and look at the crime rate in Capitol Heights Vs Fort Washington which is an Affulent area you will see Capitol Heights have higher crime then Fort Washington. If you look at the school data in District Heights vs Upper marlboro you will see District heights schools are not even close to schools in Upper marlboro. If you look at the overall kept up of the properties in Bowie vs temple Hills you will see the house owners take better care of their homes in Bowie. If you look at that data Truthhurts posted on here regarding Pg county schools you will see in the lower income areas the schools are horrible. Now if you look at that same data, schools in the more Affulent areas are on par with Montgomery county schools. The poorer areas have so many poor that the rich,middle and upper class are paying too much of our money to the poor. The poorer areas property tax is so cheap right now that the middle,upper,rich class are paying for the poor to live in PG county. WHy because the county have always feel sorry for the poor. The poorer areas are larger then the Affulent areas in the county which should be the opposite. My friend what you are paying is for your family as well as for the lower income families. Montgomery county can afford to have lower property tax then Pg county because the wealthy out number the poor which is what Pg county is right now to reverse what we have in the county right now, which is more poor and less Affulent families. My believe is, if you can not afford a house and the payment do not buy it.

What you are failling to understand is the county have to keep Pg county balance. The poor is paying very low property tax and the Affulent areas are paying high property tax which is balancing the county. If you have the poorer areas and Affulent areas paying low property tax where is the balance.

Let me make myself clear. When I say the county should increase property tax, they should increase it in the poorer areas not in the Affulent areas because lower income familes can not afford to live in the Affulent areas so they will be forced to move out of the county. Once the majority of lower income families move out of the poorer areas then the county will develope the area and attract Affulent families to the Inner beltway. Once we have more Affulent familes in the inner beltway the overall property tax for the county will decrease.

Families in all counties are over work. Affulent families tend to work less hours vs a poorer familiy. Affulent household are usually two parent household vs lower class family which tend to be one parent household. When you have a two parent household you will have a higher change of spending more time with your child. Educated parents tend to understand the need of education vs a lower class familiy who are sometimes high school drop outs.

What the county needs is a balance we need more Affulent families in PG county in the Inner beltway areas so the outer beltway families can pay less tax but as for right now the taxes can not be reduced until the county weed out the criminals and majority of the lower income families and bring more development to the inner beltway which they are doing right now then the property tax can be reduce because now we will have more Affulent familes in the overall county. If you look at data of Montgomery county you will see the overall county have way more Affulent areas then Pg county which is why their property tax is cheaper.

[ToughLuv]

The amount of racism and ignorance in this thread is disturbing and disgusting. But that's what you usually get when you have a bunch of White people talking about PG County, not suprisingly.