Consumer Sunday: unpaid tax troubles and out-of-order hydrants
If those nominated to lead our nation's highest offices can't even manage to pay their taxes, how can we lowly mortals escape fault?
Excellent Eileen's Sunday column about nanny taxes --- payroll, unemployment and other taxes paid for household workers, including gardeners, cooks, maids, childcare workers and others --- helps answer some of the complicated questions involved.
You'll also have to watch out for perks from anyone you have a business relationship with, making sure to report that as taxable income. That's what took down Tom Daschle.
Watchdog took a look at an out-of-order fire hydrant in Southwest Baltimore ...
... that reader Roy Shover Sr. said had been out of order for more than six months.
He was worried for the safety of those living on Unetta Ave., near St. Agnes Hospital, where the fire hydrant was far away from others.
The hydrant --- one of nearly 9,000 citywide --- has been replaced, but Public Works spokesman Kurt Kocher said that working hydrants should be located within 300 feet of each other.
UPDATE: What to do if you see a lingering out-of-service on a hydrant in Perry Hall, Catonsville or Essex? Baltimore's Department of Public Works repairs and maintains fire hydrants in Baltimore County, too. County residents should call 410-396-5352 to report problems.
And as we've told you before, anyone can report Baltimore city problems via the 311 online system.
(photo: Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)
