Elks Do *Not* Pay under Measure H
Published by Rob Siltanen May 27th, 2008 in Measure HToday the Alameda Journal is reporting that “[s]ome Alameda business owners . . . said they will vote against the Measure H parcel tax on the June 3 ballot.” Unfortunately, the article contains at least one significant and misleading error.
Given how close the last school parcel tax vote was, even if this erroneous article were to influence only a few votes, it has the potential to have an unfair and decisive impact on the election. Accordingly, I hope very much that this Friday’s Journal will contain a correction that is at least as prominent and specific as the erroneous article (e.g., with a new quote acknowledging that the person quoted in the article was mistaken).
In the May 27th article in the Journal, Ron Curtis, a trustee with the Alameda Elks Lodge, claims falsely that Measure H would affect nonprofit organizations such as the Elks and that the Elks will be taxed about $5,800 annually for its building on Santa Clara Avenue. In fact, the Elks and similar non-profits will not face a tax increase under Measure H. On the County Tax Rolls, The Elks Lodge parcel’s use code is 6800 (”Institutional: Lodgehalls and Clubhouses”), so the Elks fall outside the 3000 / 4000 / 8000 / 9000 use codes that are the commercial/industrial uses that Measure H specifically mentions.
It bears repeating: the Elks and other similar non-profits will not face a tax increase.
I noticed the rebuttal to my statement that the Alameda Elks would have to pay the parcel tax under Measure H.
Well, the property tax bills are out, and in fact the Alameda Elks Lodge was billed under Measure H. The individual making the above statement concerning my comments on Measure H was patently wrong.
Ron Curtis, Trustee
Alameda Elks Lodge Number 1015