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© St. Petersburg Times, published April 17, 2003
Editor: In hiring a new city manager for Dade City, the process would seem to be somewhat flawed if the job was not adequately advertised in minority communities.
I wonder if a person of color applied for the position. If so, were they given an interview? I think the commissioners should extend the hiring date of the city manager's job, because I'm not sure we have the very best candidates for the position.
The newspapers provided a summary of each candidate. All candidates failed to say what they would do for the minority community. So, this leaves me with one thought, the visions of the candidates show no interest in supporting or strengthening the minority community. I don't understand why minorities are overlooked in reputable affairs, but are the first to be included in going to jail, being harassed by the police, and given bad reputations. It would be an injustice to the city not to extend the hiring date.
-- Deryl R. Williams, Dade City
Editor: April 15 marks the end of the tax filing season, but it will take until April 19 to earn enough to fulfill our federal government's thirst for your wages. But, you are not done yet. It will take another 35 days of labor to pay the local and state taxes levied against you.
The largest single budget item for the average American family is its federal tax burden. You work 74 days to earn enough to pay your federal tax bill but it only takes 61 days to earn enough for housing and household expenses. If wage earners had to actually write a check each month to pay their taxes, what a difference in attitude toward our tax burden that would make. As long as we only think about it once a year, we live with it. Once our money is on the way to Washington we forget about it.
Most of our tax dollars are spent on items not required by the Constitution. If just the requirements mandated by the Constitution were met, our tax burden would be greatly reduced.
The Libertarian Party has been promoting other ways to pay the expenses required by government. User taxes and tariffs are just two. A much friendlier tax code would be another much-welcomed thing. A flat tax would be a great improvement. Under the system we have now, we can continue to see our tax dollars wasted and misused. A system that requires us to pay up, under the threat of imprisonment, is an insult to a free society. It may be time for another revolution. Do you feel that we have taxation without representation? My tax dollars are not spent the way I would want them spent.
-- Jon Kueny, chairman Pasco County Libertarian Party, New Port Richey
Editor: Most drivers forget that being allowed to drive a motor vehicle is a privilege not a right. Unfortunately, there are too many drivers who do not think about that when they break the law repeatedly by careless driving and by going through traffic signals when the light is red. They do not realize the tragedy that they can cause. Only after the fact, they find how serious the repercussions are.
I was unable to attend the recent meeting that the newly formed task force held asking for input regarding the traffic problems of U.S. 19. What I'm about to suggest to reduce the dangers of driving on that highway and other major roads will no doubt be rejected due to present laws and policies.
Funds should be budgeted to increase a very large number of deputies who would be assigned specifically to constantly patrol our highways and roads. I believe the income that would be derived from the fines which would be levied due to the infractions of the laws would more than offset the cost of this commitment.
Our representatives should be directed by their constituents to take whatever steps that are necessary to increase the patrolling of our highways, thereby making it safer to drive.
-- Joseph E. Schoener, Port Richey
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