Letters to the Editors

Tax suggestions are unrealistic

Re: We've shelled out enough in taxes, Jan. 21 letter

Editor: It never ceases to amaze former County Commissioner Ed Collins that it actually takes money to operate a county or, for that matter, a municipal government. In his letter, he also is upset with your criticism of Commissioner Steve Simon for changing party registration from Democrat to Republican less than two months after the November election and states that criticism is because Simon won't support the Penny for Pasco now that he is a Republican.

The switch Collins says is not due to taxes, but with ideology and "the Democratic Party's war on family values." Hmm, I didn't realize Republicans had a market on family issues. I could dispute that fact, and may in the future, but I'd rather focus today on Collins' tax stand.

It is obvious from his letter that he isn't against taxes, only those he may have to pay. He even suggests alternative revenue sources for the county. For example, "raise the cost of occupational license for sex shops to $50,000." Surely he is being facetious. I'm not an attorney, but arbitrarily raising one fee would surely be found unconstitutional and cost the county much more than it would ever realize in revenues.

Next -- and this is borderline bizarre -- "require all employees to submit to fingerprinting and background checks. Charge for the service." I fail to see how this would raise revenue. Or why is it necessary. Or how it would do anything other than infringe on others' rights. How would Collins pay for this? Wouldn't the costs to conduct the investigations have to come out of the fees charged? Perhaps Collins misses his days as a county commissioner and his need for lie detectors.

"Pass a law enforcement fee to pay for new growth." Gee, that's a tax or a fee that will get into people's pockets. But, that won't affect him, just someone else.

Enact an ordinance to make people pay for false alarms of their personal alarm systems. That's not a bad idea, but it will not raise money for anything, just cover costs.

Lastly, "establish a municipal service taxing district in areas that require additional schools or playgrounds." I'm willing to bet Collins' neighborhood isn't lacking in either, or he wouldn't have made this proposal, and Collins and his family-valued friends opposed a municipal taxing district for law enforcement in 1998.

I sympathize with Collins in his lament that "we have paid for schools through taxes and bond issues even though we have not had children in school for more than 20 years.'" That's how the system works: I'm sure people who believe in quality education and yes, family values, paid taxes while he went to school as well. I know they did when I was in school.

Growth should pay for itself. But the reality is it is not enough to provide the types of services we all desire, and in fact, in some cases demand. I applaud those public officials who have the courage to propose and fight for issues they believe in and will benefit their city or county. Too bad we don't see enough of it.
-- Steve Spina, Zephyrhills city manager

Communities left too vulnerable to fires

Editor: County Commission fiddles while Meadow Pointe burns.

By failing to reach an agreement with the present contractor or bringing in another to complete the project, the county commissioners have left Meadow Pointe and the surrounding communities without the long-promised fire station it needs.

It is incumbent upon the county commissioners to resolve the dispute now. Thousands of homeowners in Meadow Pointe are in danger of losing or seeing high increases in their homeowners policies unless this station in Meadow Pointe is finished at once.

Why can't the county hire another contractor to finish the building while trying to come to a settlement with the current contractor? By delaying the completion of the fire station, the county commissioners are failing in their responsibility of protecting its citizens.
Joan Abrams, Wesley Chapel

Sensors would help emergency vehicles

Editor: I would like to say thank you to Pasco County for putting up the signs before each intersection on U.S. 19 to let us know what street is coming up.

This is great for our tourists and our new residents.

There is something else Pasco County can do for our firefighters and EMTs. It can add sensors on traffic lights to turn all four directions red to accommodate emergency vehicles. Sometimes no one stops for the vehicles, which must wait at intersections with lights and sirens on and horns blaring for up to 45 seconds to a minute. Those seconds and minutes are precious to the people who call or need the help.

People, please be alert. Keep your eyes and ears open. When you see or hear an ambulance or fire truck on a rescue, please pull over to stop. They could be heading to save your loved one.
-- Jamie Murphy, New Port Richey

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