[Vision2020] In fairness to NSA

[Michael Curley]

I have to say that I think fair is fair, and while I have been involved with both the tax 
issue and the current zoning matter, I don't think it's quite fair to say that NSA "flouted" 
the tax law or "evaded" taxes.  They admitted openly that a non-exempt entity operated 
in their building, and requested that they be taxed only on that portion.

The request was granted.  Only when two concerned local women pointed out to the 
Latah County Tax Board that the tax code says the use has to be EXCLUSIVELY for 
exempt purposes, did someone take a closer look and say, by golly, they aren't entitled 
to ANY exemption.  NSA's interpretation of the law had been followed on a few prior 
occasions, and although I think it was wrong--and the County Attorney agreed by the 
way--it wasn't unlawful for them to make the assertion.

Mike Curley



On 28 Jan 2005 at 11:08, wocsom at earthlink.net wrote:

Mr. Nelson, I hope appropriate litigation has commenced against NSA
regarding their tax evasion issue.  They need to be accountable just
like everyone else is.  Regards.

Coop


> [Original Message]
> From: James Nelson <hammered at moscowmail.com>
> To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
 > Date: 1/28/2005 10:28:33 AM
> Subject: [Vision2020] Downtown Parking
>
> Visionaries,
> 
> I am thankful that a thread or two considered downtown parking
> because it gives me another opportunity to mention Moscow’s
> Comprehensive Plan, which addresses the subject very clearly.
> Section 4? states: “The largest and most convenient parking lot to
> the central business district core is the Jackson Street lot.?
> 
> Further down the page, the Comp. Plan specifies the fifth objective
> for Friendship Square: “Provide adequate parking in the central
> business district for shoppers and employees.?
> 
> Ironically, NSA’s occupation of the Verizon building has created the
> need for additional downtown parking, not because they bring more
> shoppers to the area, but because they (faculty & students) use
> parking spaces that would otherwise be filled by “shoppers and
> employees.?In other words, NSA’s presence downtown frustrates
> specific objectives declared by the city planners. (Hopefully most
> people can distinguish between a student shopper and business
> shopper.)
> 
> Title 4 Section 11-1 of Moscow City Code provides a remedy for this
> irksome problem. It states: “If the Zoning Administrator shall find
> that any of the provisions of this Zoning Code are being violated,
> the Zoning Administrator or designee shall notify in writing the
> person responsible for such violations, indicating the nature of the
> violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it. The
> Zoning Administrator or designee shall order discontinuance of
> illegal use of land, buildings, or structures; removal of illegal
> additions, alterations, or structural changes; discontinuance of
> illegal work being done; or shall take other action authorized by
> this Zoning Code to insure compliance with or to prevent violation
> of its provisions.?
> 
> I know that some may consider this remedy draconian, but I would
> remind them that this problem will only worsen over time, as NSA’s
> faculty and student body grow in numbers. And their growth will
> impose no small burden on the taxpayer to account for our want of
> parking spaces.
> 
> I would also remind you that NSA’s administration (the Kirk
> leadership) has flouted the law for years, thumbing their nose at
> our community with a taunt (their evasion of property tax is the
> most recent offense and perhaps the most expensive to date), and
> they have shown us no reason to believe that they won’t continue as
> scofflaws if they get a pass this time.
> 
> We should ask ourselves, “Does Moscow have a moral obligation to
> hold NSA to the law? If so, by what standard??
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> James Nelson
> -- 
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