Editor: Bill and Ann Bunting's political gimmickry over the last few months related to the Penny for Pasco referendum has been until recently harmless. Granted, many, if not most, of their facts and figures used in opposition were wrong and, yes, it's frustrating that they continue to use these wrong facts and figures even after they were shown they were wrong.
Other than that, however, the only consequence of their actions to date is possibly a growing credibility problem with the public and the press and, perhaps, embarrassing many people who put them in public political positions. What they have done couldn't really be described as anything other than politics at its worst.
Last week, however, they crossed the line with a personal attack on Allen Altman, a private citizen who has had the courage to take a visible role in the Penny for Pasco referendum.
I have known Allen for 25 years. He is a private businessman who does no business with the county government or school board. He has no political aspirations, though I wish he did. He is a devoted husband, loving father, and outstanding member of his community. He has given thousands of hours of his time and contributed who-knows-how much money to community projects, church activities, and helping needy families and needy students. He is one of those guys who just can't say "no" when asked to volunteer for a worthy cause.
He is truly a Dade City success story, a graduate of Pasco High School who has built a successful business, raised two wonderful daughters, and given generously to his community and Pasco County. Allen owns no property within miles of any planned referendum projects. Allen Altman deserves our admiration, our respect, and, certainly, our thanks. For Bill Bunting to imply that Allen Altman will personally profit in any way is slanderous.
Bill Bunting crossed the line and should be ashamed of himself.
-- John Long, superintendent of schools, District School Board of Pasco County
Tax opponents' "bombshell' is a dud
Re: Penny tax opposition drops "bombshell,' Feb. 26
Editor: Some bombshell! I agree with Mike Wells' comment that tying Allen Altman's property ownership in east Pasco County to proposed road improvements is a "real stretch."
You are giving legitimacy to extremely radical penny tax opponents. I certainly understand being against the tax, as I have struggled with the referendum myself.
I do not understand the St. Petersburg Times giving a forum to tax opponents as they engage in character assassination of an individual who has been an untiring volunteer to public service since he was a kid in Dade City. The penny tax debate is a political issue, not an opportunity to engage in personal attacks against individuals with which you disagree. I find this attack so offensive that I am almost ready to become a Democrat except for the fact that Bill Clinton still leads the party.
Republicans, you had better watch your leadership.
-- Jack Vogel, San Antonio
Landowners benefit from tax increases
Editor: One thing should be absolutely clear. The sales tax increase benefits landowners. The more land they own, the more they benefit. Three elements of this plan specifically benefit landowners.
They are: 1. The environmental lands program, which gets over 11 percent of the loot. This adds one more entity buying land or development rights in the county. As a result, all land values will go up.
2. Roads. You don't have to own land right at the site of roads to be built or improved with proceeds from this tax. Again, the more roads we have in Pasco, the more land values increase everywhere.
3. Property tax millage reduction. The more property or the more valuable the property one owns means greater reduction in future property taxes paid.
This news is relevant to the debate and Allan Altman should have been more forthcoming.
-- Dennis L Smith, Wesley Chapel
Relax, penny tax won't fill poorhouse
Editor: In regard to Penny for Pasco, I was wondering how many people go to anywhere in Pinellas County (Countryside Mall, flea markets etc.). My wife and I do and never pay attention to the 7 percent sales tax.
I don't think it will put anyone in the poorhouse.
-- Robert Kern, Port Richey
Don't publish baseless personal attacks
Editor: Time after time the public has been fed false information by Bill and Ann Bunting as they attempt to discredit the Penny for Pasco campaign. Their statements have been proven wrong. We're all used to their antics, but this time they stooped to a real low by personally attacking a good man.
They alleged that Allen Altman, the pro-Penny spokesperson, would benefit from road projects paid for by the penny. The Times went on to show how farfetched their allegations were, but that doesn't excuse the attack.
Allen Altman does not deserve this. He has shown his devotion to Pasco County by sacrificing his personal and business life to campaign for the Penny for Pasco and by doing other volunteer and charitable things. I've known him since his family moved to Dade City in 1960 and I've been proud to watch him grow up to be a hard-working, dedicated citizen.
I don't appreciate these attempts to smear his reputation. Furthermore, I don't understand why the reporter found these allegations newsworthy. After investigating the Buntings' accusations and finding them false, why give them credibility by printing anything at all?
I'd like to thank Allen Altman for having the courage of his convictions and a passion for the truth. He remains focused on the issues to be solved by Penny for Pasco and will not be knocked off course by someone else's base behavior.
-- George Carver, Dade City
More fiscal responsibility, not taxes
Re: The Penny Tax
Editor: Sure the penny tax will improve things in this county, but let's get real, shall we? This is all about tax and spend. The government is always crying the blues, that it needs more money. That's all we ever hear. So how do they propose to fix the problems? By reaching even deeper into our pockets!
This proposed penny tax is nothing more than a smoke screen used to cover up fiscal irresponsibility. How many government projects that you know of, have ever been completed ahead of schedule and under budget? None, that I know of.
Sure, we need good schools and roads, but I believe it can be done if we start taking our elected officials to task, and demand a more fiscally responsible government.
I have known Bill and Ann Bunting for several years and I find them to be two of the most patriotic, caring, hard-working people I have ever met. People have gotten the mistaken impression that they are somehow anti-tax, gun nuts and nothing is further from the truth. They are tired of the same old rhetoric and so am I.
-- Grant R. Maciorowski, New Port Richey
Help Pasco, yourself: vote yes on tax
Editor: I have worked/lived in west Pasco County since 1984 and recall when almost all roads, if they even existed, where only two-lane and we only had two high schools. I moved here from Tampa and now laugh at the reaction I received from all of my Hillsborough acquaintances that could only wonder why I was leaving for Port Richey. Many of them now wish that they had done the same.
The benefits of Pasco County obviously have attracted countless families and businesses yearning for a wonderful quality of life. Keeping in tune with this growth is quite a challenge for all of our County administrators and elected officials. The bottom line is that we do not have the financial resources to effectively and efficiently do so.
The Penny for Pasco is a no-brainer attribute to this solution. Similar to the 58 out of 67 counties in Florida who have passed a penny tax, the Penny for Pasco will fortify the financial base required to build new schools and roads while protecting our wetlands and beautiful Florida landscape.
Our Pinellas neighbors are certainly taking advantage of the wonderful benefits that their penny increase has already provided them in basically a very short period of time.
Please familiarize yourself with both sides of this issue. Upon doing so, you will discover why so many of your acquaintances as well as businesses that you regularly visit have financially contributed in favor of the Penny for Pasco as opposed to those who are participating against it. This fact alone should send a clear message.
Help maintain the excellent quality of life that we all deserve and appreciate. Help continue to attract new businesses by allowing their customers to reach them via safer roads. Help guarantee that your children or grandchildren will not be forced to attend double-session schools. Help yourself and Pasco County by voting for the penny. It's a good thing!
-- Eric J. Fregger, Port Richey
Tax is power grab for special interests
Editor: It never ceases to amaze me when the Pasco Citizens Committee says it is for the proposed Penny for Pasco tax hike because the funds collected will help in the acquisition of land to help slow growth. Has anyone looked at some of their larger contributors lately?
It is obvious who is spearheading this campaign to snatch a few more dollars out of your pocket every year: Builders, developers, architects, ranchers, and others. The committee is pandering to special interests who have large vested interests in the passage of the tax.
Vote no on the proposed tax increase March 9 and tell commissioners to support us citizens of Pasco County rather than special interests - some of which aren't even in Florida.
-- Deborah Antolik, Wesley Chapel
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