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CONTACT: Jeff Batstone at: 508.997.0488

Kalisz Response to Morrissey Shows Mayor is Out of Touch on Tax Figures - Mayor Claims Fact That Taxes Have Risen 54% "Impossible"

Then:
In a 1997 campaign debate with then Mayor Rosemary Tierney, candidate Fred Kalisz chided Mayor Tierney on the issue of rising tax bills when he asked of her, "Mayor (Tierney)… when taxes have gone up 49 percent in the last six years, you blamed the City Council… has there been any failure that was your fault." (New Bedford Mayoral Debate – October 7, 1997)

Now:
When Mayoral candidate Matt Morrissey points out in his recent plan to improve City Hall services that under Mayor Kalisz homeowner tax bills have risen to record levels, Kalisz’ response was quite different. "It is clear that Mr. Morrissey does not understand the formula by which real estate taxes are determined each year. Proposition 2 1/2 limits our real estate growth to 2 1/2 percent a year plus new growth. Thus, it is impossible that the city’s real estate tax levy could increase as Mr. Morrissey suggests (by 54%)." (Mayor Fred Kalisz – New Bedford Standard Times, August 24, 2005)

Matt Morrissey today issued the following statement in response:

"The truth of the matter is that the average New Bedford homeowner has seen their property tax bill increase from $1,440 in 1997 to $2,224 in 2005, a 54.44 percent increase. When you've locked yourself inside of City Hall as long has Fred Kalisz has, you lose touch with the real world of New Bedford's neighborhoods. The working families of New Bedford and the seniors trying to stay in their homes on fixed incomes don't care about the tax RATE, which is limited by Prop 2 1/2. They care about the tax BILL that they have to pay."

"Fred Kalisz can't hide behind technicalities or "what the definition of 'is' is." The people of New Bedford know how much their bills have gone up. And they know what they have gotten for their money - a nearly 33% dropout rate that hasn't budged, 17 unsolved murders, and the 4th highest unemployment rate in the state. We're paying more - a lot more, and we're getting less. This is a horrendous record that simply has to change. We CAN do better and we will do better with a new generation of leadership in the Mayor’s office."