Re: Penny tax would be money well spent, May 9 letter
Editor: The writer stated she has several uses for the proposed penny tax for Pasco. In her letter she states "I will gladly pay a penny extra sales tax for a reduction in property tax."
Unfortunately, the math on this proposal does not result in a revenue-neutral program. The county commission has spoken in terms of a 0.25 mill or maybe a 0.50 mill reduction in the property tax rate.
On an assessment of $100,000 after the homestead reduction, a 0.25 reduction in the property tax would result in an annual savings of $25 in your property tax per year. Over 10 years (no one on the County Commission has guaranteed a reduction for 10 years), the savings will amount to $250.
A one-cent sales tax will cost a family of four around $2,624 over that period if people who pass through the county pay 20 percent. I arrived at this figure by dividing $31 million by the county population, less 20 percent.
It should also be noted that property tax can be used as a deduction on your federal income tax and sales tax cannot be.
What Republicans are asking for is a dollar value for the dollar being spent. To date, the need for this tax has not been established. The county commission needs to establish a must-have list that is needed over the next 10 years with the cost. After we determine the increase in value that is taking place with all the commercial development in the county, we will then have a picture of the county financial needs. To date, this has not been established. Whenever government has extra money, it is spent - even if there is not a need.
-- Gary Willner, Trinity
Wal-Mart stores would improve traffic flow
Editor: We have been reading the negative letters about the opening of the two new Wal-Mart stores and would like to mention the positives.
If the one at Bayonet Point Mall opens, it would serve the northern areas; and the Holiday store would serve the southern areas and would help the traffic at Ridge Road and U.S. 19.
We have visited the Port Richey store many times and have had no traffic problems. We realize on Saturday and Sunday when parents bring their kids to the stores, there are long lines at the registers and kids left running around.
With a store in the south and one in the north areas, there would be less congestion at the Port Richey store.
Seniors and those on low incomes welcome the price differences. Why should we pay more at the other stores? Those that wish for the smaller stores have the right to pay more if they wish and to avoid the crowds.
-- Alice and Pete McConaghy, New Port Richey
Offering students soda at school is bad idea
Re: School Board fails this Pepsi challenge, May 11 editorial
Editor: High school students are outsmarting the soda machine timers intended to prohibit sales until one hour after the end of the final lunch period. These students are quite bright and crafty after all!
What are they learning at school and how do they have enough time to vandalize the soda machines? What punishment do the students receive when they vandalize the soda machines? Now, the School Board rewards their bad behavior by allowing the sale of Pepsi products all day long.
Board members also rationalized their decision by noting other products with high sugar content are available, anyway. Students also have access to tobacco and alcohol products. Imagine the money the school district could add with those items sold during the school day.
-- Fawn Lerner-Gilli, Tampa
Delivering mail on foot "the dumbest idea ever'
Editor: This new way of delivering mail has got to be the dumbest idea ever.
Parking the mail trucks, having the carriers walking their route is ridiculous. We all have boxes at the curb. I thought the reason for this was for speedy delivery.
What brilliant mind thought up this new way?
-- Marian Stegmeier, Port Richey
Making mail carriers walk makes the job more difficult
Editor: I'd just like to give some praise to our mail carriers. Previously, you could expect your mail in the little red, white and blue truck like clockwork each day. And we all know wherever we go and need help finding an address, just look for the mail truck. The carrier would always put you on the right road or direct you.
I've never heard a cross word or a complaint out of any carrier in the seven years I've owned this house.
Now the carriers have to walk the route, lock up the truck, serve 20 or more curbside mail boxes on foot and then return to the truck for the next block. When heavy rains fall, the streets get your shoes soaked. The little trucks made it much more efficient. If enough folks call the Postal Service, maybe the carrier will get to deliver the mail by truck again.
-- Marie Moore, Port Richey
President gives money away while our economy suffers
Editor: President Bush's America commits to rebuild Iraq; gives huge multibillion-dollar contracts to the likes of Bechtel and Halliburton; commits to providing comprehensive health care delivery to Iraqi citizens and rebuild the infrastructure; provides education for all Iraqi children; sends $15 billion to Africa to fight AIDS; gives $15 billion to bail out the sinking airline fat cats; and continues to rebuild Afghanistan, which was destroyed long before our troops got there.
Then Alan Greenspan testified before congressional committee about our sagging economy and where we learn that the highest number of unemployed who have exhausted benefits since 1964 are desperately trying to find work in a dead economy. But CEOs and corporate fat cats continue to take millions while declaring bankruptcy or laying off thousands of workers. Pensions and life savings continue to disappear. Here in Florida, the poor and dying continue to suffer because of pharmaceutical greed, and the president's answer is to cut taxes to the rich to stimulate the economy and create a job market?
How can these outrageous conditions continue to mushroom? And the joke is, anyone who questions or has the audacity to criticize is branded as unpatriotic! What ever happened to common sense, decency and self preservation?
-- John Coyne, Holiday
Share your views
The Pasco Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.
Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length (250-300 words maximum as a rule).
Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.
All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed. Anonymous letters or letters with initials only will not be printed.
Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668.
