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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 31, 2003
Editor: I attended the Citrus County Commission meeting on Jan. 28. I was appalled at the way the public was treated by Chairman Jim Fowler.
He opened the floor to comments from the public. After one person spoke, he said the floor would be closed in five minutes. That left time for only one more person to speak. After boos from the audience, he said they were taking a 10-minute recess.
This type of action is inexcusable for a public official. After the recess it was obvious to everyone that Fowler didn't want to hear any more comments from the public when he made a motion to proceed with the bid process for mandatory garbage collection. Only after outcries from the public was the floor opened.
I commend Commissioners Vicki Phillips and Gary Bartell on their stand to not make any decisions until they heard from the public. After much discussion, the motion was tabled with no date set to discuss it again. I talked to Bartell on Wednesday and found out this item is on the agenda again for the Feb. 11 meeting, which again will be held at the Citrus County Auditorium.
I can't believe that after such a negative response from those in attendance, they would bring it up again. It was obvious that no one wants mandatory garbage service. If no one wants it, why waste time and money pursuing it? Kudos to Commissioners Phillips and Bartell.
-- Jay Campbell, Lecanto
Editor: Qualifications for county commissioner:
1. Plea for the citizens' vote on a platform of good, honest government.
2. Get elected.
3. Propose projects that the citizenry does not want.
4. Talk down to the citizenry when they express unwillingness.
5. Waffle on issues, say one thing but do another.
6. Call in the police to protect yourself from the people who voted you into office.
7. Construct proposals to assure that local businesses cannot bid. Explain that to the Economic Development Council later.
8. Regroup and huddle in conference to explore ways to override citizens' input.
Whew!
-- Ken LaPorte, Crystal River
Editor: In 1982 I purchased a 10-year-old home in Sugarmill Woods but didn't become a permanent resident until 1987. I noticed an unusual expense on my water bill when the house was vacant. No one was in the house flushing toilets, washing dishes or taking showers, yet I had to pay a sewer charge of nearly 2.5 times more than the basic water charge and for that used by the lawn sprinkler system.
I didn't believe then, and don't believe now, that it's fair for anyone to pay for any "service" they don't use, but I continue paying.
In 1989, I was a long term loyal employee for a company that did an "Enron" before Enron ever was, so I don't enjoy the luxury of any retirement plan benefits as do most retirees. I'm 69 and adjusted my lifestyle to live within our means, and I believe it's my civic duty to pay the necessary taxes to keep our community functioning. These include general county, general fund, transportation trust, health department, library, fire district, schools discretionary, schools capital outlay, schools local required effort, SWFMD coastal, general, coastal, mosquito control and hospital.
Many items on this taxing list I don't use, and that's okay with me. But is there any end to this list?
We don't generate much trash and recycle all that is recyclable, and I take our two bags of trash to the local landfill every two weeks to avoid the expense of a trash pickup service. Now I'm told I'll be taxed for trash pickup whether or not I use it. In addition, a well-meaning group in Sugarmill Woods recently proposed plans for a community center to be paid for by taxing all residents, whether we use it or not.
Enough is enough. Where does all this taxing for services we don't use end? To quote 20/20's John Stossel, "Give me a break!"
-- Richard Kwiecienski, Homosassa
Editor: What's being done to correct the water problems in Inverness? I keep hearing promises that the water will improve once the Citrus plant is shut down and the switch is made to the 581 Plant.
That is a bunch of baloney. The water is yellow because the pipes in the downtown area are 80 years old. New water running through those old pipes will still be yellow.
Why does the City Council feel that we should spend $4-million on a new City Hall when most city residents have to buy bottled water to drink?
-- Yvonne Bryant, Inverness
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