Pox On Our Town

Pox On Our Town

A plague has descended on Pottstown. Its symptoms can be tracked by "For Sale" signs whose lettering is fading from being posted so very long. This type of a malady take a long time to become a full blown plague which has or will touch all property owners in the town.

For example : Up my street an elderly widow recently passed away and her estate just put her house up for sale. They listed the well appointed house with a new roof, a large rear sunroom, three bedrooms, on a pleasant lot in the North End for $129,900.00. I imagine that's close to the appraised value. But, when the sales agent was asked by me, "What would this house be listed for if it were situated in Limerick or Collegeville ?" His reply was, 
"Up to, maybe, $100,000.00 more." " Why ?" I asked.

He gave me that puzzled look while telling me about the ills of properties with Pottstown addresses. School tax was the biggest factor, then the reputation of the town, on and he went with negatives even though he is an investor in rental properties here himself. The only way to make out owning a property in Pottstown, he advised, was to be a landlord. 

We have lived in our home since 1974 which is 38 years. We've raised three children here. I had hoped to die while still living here. One time our house was worth upwards to $200,000.00 but is now less than three quarters that, probably much less. It's not the weight of the bales of straw which broke the camel's back but it was the weight of the final strand of straw which did the camel in when added to the load.

It is impossible to be on a limited retirement income and still own a home in Pottstown. The power to tax property is the virus propelling the plague which has demeaned our town. 

Kind of like the feelings those in the 1940's European ghettos had when they were afraid to speak out as the Gestapo rounded up certain groups to be shipped off to concentration camps. Finally, then, they came for those who had remained silent and as they were being herded away they looked around for someone to speak on their behalf and, low and behold, no one else was left to speak for them. 

Our State Legislators have, in my mind, failed us. As a whole, they slop at the trough of special interests pandering to the desires of those who profit from inaction, the status quo. For too long, we, including me, have been silent while those who did speak out were marginalized and silenced. The field of grain is planted that will grow the stalks which could be that last straw which could break your back just like mine is fractured.

Who speaks for us now ? Best you raise your voices loudly and clearly while you still can. Next they will be coming for you !

Ronald C. Downie