The latest point of conflict in the 12th-district Senate race between incumbent Democrat Ellen Karcher and Republican Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck involves Christmas trees.
Karcher says she grows them on her Marlboro farm, and sells a a half-dozen a year, plus some cordwood — enough to qualify for a coveted farmland assessment on the 8.7-acre property.
Beck wants to know if Karcher in fact qualifies for the assessment, given the meager sales, and why she hasn’t previously disclosed any income from her farm.
From today’s Asbury Park Press:
Beck cited farmland assessment applications filed with Marlboro Township from 2000 to 2007, which said the farm sold an average of six Christmas trees and anywhere from two to six cords of firewood annually.
“My contention is it’s an obvious abuse. It’s not a working farm,” Beck said. “In seven years, it’s only generated six trees (sold) a year and provides a $14,000 tax abatement.”
Beck also questioned why the income from the sale of the trees didn’t appear on Karcher’s financial disclosure forms.
Karcher estimated the family earns between $500 and $1,000 a year in farm income, and amended her 2004 and 2005 forms in May 2006, because she wasn’t sure if the amount was too small to be claimed.
“The fact is every year the tax assessor walks the property and goes through all the plantings with my husband,” Karcher said. “I don’t know what they’re saying if they think that paying $24,998 in property taxes isn’t enough.”
If this sounds vaguely familiar, today’s Star-Ledger reminds us that the same kind of flap arose over Christie Whitman’s farmland assessment during her successful 1993 gubernatorial run.
“I can tell you without question that I am a much more hands-on farmer than Governor Christie Whitman ever was,” Karcher said. Whitman could not be reached yesterday.
Well ms Karcher I live in little silver on about one acre and I pay 23,300 a year so I you have 8.7 acres your either under paying your taxes by $173,465 or I'm overpaying my property taxes by $20,100. according to your way of thinking .Please let me know to whom I may appeal my assessment ( again)
it just goes on and on and on and on and on. Republican and democrat, the old age adage..when a politicians lips are moving…… watch out. Its quite obvious that she is working the system, and she must think we are all fools for buying her explanation. BULL POOP!
i don't think ms karcher would know the right end of a pitchfork it jumped up and bit her. i think her (and others) insult the hard working family farmers in monmouth county who actually "work" their farms 24/7. my former wife and i both have homes in middletown that exceed 7 acres and we pay our fair share of taxes "the right way". we can be thankful that because of the taxes we pay we help support the many county and township parks and recreation areas that many of the families who don't have large property's get to enjoy. i fault ms karcher for taking advantage of weak farm assessment system that exists in this state.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071006/NEWS/71006001
To live on 8.7 acres of farm land in a private home not controlled by a homeowner's association is a great blessing. To live in a private home near the center of town on one acre of land not controlled by an association is also a great blessing. Be aware that if you live in a troubled association neither candidate will assist you in rectifying the very serious problems some associations present. Also be aware that Michael Panter is writing legislation that will address financial problems.