
Update: Well, it looks like Sherlock Braasch figured out my name and address; there was a tax form in Monday's mail!
This from my attorney:
The City can only tax your personal computer if you derive income from same. Your computer used to personally communicate by blog to other persons is not a commercial venture unless you sell ads, or solicit funds for the INSIDER's operations. The City cannot tax your pen and paper no matter how many letters you send to your friends, the general public or the Hartford Courant unless they're used in commercial transactions, raising revenue, selling things, etc. If the Insider is raising revenue then it's methods of blogging are subject to taxation as commercial property. Personally, If it were me being attacked for non-commercial speech in this manner, I would put all of Braasch's tripe in one of your blogs and let the Insider readers get a sense of how he is attempting to limit your 1st amendment rights.
Original post begins, here:
Middletown's financial situation must be in dire straits. Our tax assessor, Damon Braasch seems to be desperate to expand the tax base. He is now going after local bloggers who are not even business entities!
In addition to sending the Middletown Insider a request for a declaration of personal property, which was addressed to "To whom it may concern", he has also sent such a request to the Middletown Eye and the Middletown Patch!
I have to wonder, if he has known about the Insider "for a while" as he claims, then why is he just now getting around to asking for a property declaration? The Insider is not a business entity and generates no income or revenue. It is not incorporated, not a DBA, has no bank account and no physical location. So why is he asking in the first place; and why is it up to me to prove it? Doesn't burden of proof lie on the state, or in this case the city?
You might find this amusing, he didn't even know my name. I had some fun with him!
I'm dropping it, for now, but this is the last response from Damon. This email contains the entire thread of the exchange between us.
I will not comply.
Editor
(best read in chronological order, from the bottom, up.)
From: Braasch, Damon <Damon.Braasch@middletownct.gov>
Date: Fri, Sep 2, 2016 at 12:07 PM
Subject: RE: Declaration of personal property
To: Middletown Insider <middletowninsider@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 11:32 AM
To: Braasch, Damon
Subject: Re: Declaration of personal property
While it is flattering to be compared to the Middletown Press and the Courant, the Insider is not a business entity. And for all you know, I'm using a computer at a library or a senior center.
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 11:05 AM
To: Braasch, Damon
Subject: Re: Declaration of personal property
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 10:33 AM
To: Braasch, Damon;
Subject: Re: Declaration of personal property
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 10:04 AM
To: Braasch, Damon
Subject: Re: Declaration of personal property
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 9:15 AM
To: Braasch, Damon
Subject: Re: Declaration of personal property
From: Braasch, Damon <Damon.Braasch@middletownct.gov>
Date: Fri, Sep 2, 2016 at 8:40 AM
Subject: RE: Declaration of personal property
To: Middletown Insider <middletowninsider@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 7:32 AM
To: Braasch, Damon
Subject: Re: Declaration of personal property
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 5:18 PM
To: Braasch, Damon
Subject: Re: Declaration of personal property
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 4:09 PM
To: Braasch, Damon
Subject: Re: Declaration of personal property
Did all known bloggers get the same notice - ie, the Mayor's website, the Democratic Town Committee website, twitter, blog; the republican website; the phony mayoral cabinet started by our mayor so he could get an award....wouldn't those all use computers? hmmmmmm
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