Editor: Much has been written recently concerning the two half-cent sales tax proposals that will appear on the ballot on March 9. Some of the comments written have been very much against the proposals, and much has been written in favor of the two proposals. The citizens of Hernando County must first consider: Is it necessary to build new schools or increase our schools in some manner?
A few years ago, your newspaper and others in Hernando County wrote articles claiming Hernando was one of the fastest growing counties in Florida and in the United States. With the construction of the Suncoast Parkway, it is a known fact that Hernando County is expanding and will continue to expand. In order to cope with that growth, we must consider what is the best way to finance the expansion of our schools and the capital expenditures necessary in the county.
We all know our roads need improvement. We all know there is a need for traffic improvements. We all know government facilities need to be enlarged and upgraded. We all know our parks and libraries need to be enlarged and upgraded. Therefore, it is a matter of how we pay for these expansions and upgrades.
The School Board is proposing a half-cent increase in our sales tax instead of funding their projects by issuing bonds. The projects must be done, so which is the more prudent manner of financing that expansion? Bonds are like a mortgage. You must pay interest on top of the amount borrowed. Even with low interest rates, you will still owe a substantial amount in interest payments.
The increase in the sales tax is a pay-as-you-go system. Once the projects are paid for, you are debt-free and you are not paying the added charge for the use of someone else's money. This is no different than your house mortgage. If you buy a home and pay cash for it, you get off much cheaper than if you finance that mortgage over 15 or 30 years.
The same logic applies to the capital projects proposed by the County Commission. However, if that half-cent sales tax is approved, you will see a reduction in the gas tax that is now being collected in the amount of 3 cents per gallon, effective Dec. 31, 2004. Also effective Oct. 1, 2004, you will see a reduction in your property tax millage rate by at least 1/4-mill. That is 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $25 a year on a taxable home value of $100,000.
It is our opinion that both increases are necessary and we should vote yes on these issues.
-- Harvey and Addie Martin, Spring Hill
Demand the commission guarantee tax cuts in writing
Editor: I recently received a brochure from the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners asking for a vote of "yes" for the half-cent sales tax. Included on the brochure were promises of: Reducing the gas tax by three cents by December 31, 2004, and lowering the property tax millage rate by at least 1/4-mill by Oct. 1, 2004.
However, these two proposals are nowhere to be found in the language of the vote itself. I would encourage taxpayers to ask for a guarantee in writing from the commission that these two proposals would materialize if the half-cent sales tax is voted in.
We have already been duped with the class-size amendment because the cost of implementing this amendment was not on the ballot. So, beware of another dupe.
-- Betty Dobson, Brooksville
Two chances this year to stop tax-and-spend government
Editor: On March 9, and again on Nov. 2, voters in Hernando County have a chance to let our voices be heard. On March 9, we have a chance to ax two more taxes to be laid on us.
In a move intended to sneak these taxes past the electorate, our conniving commissioners have scheduled this vote on a low-turnout day, presidential primary day. This vote should be held on the day we vote for the president in November to get a real consensus from the people. But the commissioners don't want that. They want to do it when the turnout is low, so they can skate it through.
On Nov. 2, voters again get a chance to ax the taxers and let our voice be heard. Three of our county commissioners are up for re-election. This is a great chance for us to tell them we are sick and tired of our tax-and-spend government. Let's put three people on the board who understand living within your budget, fiscal responsibility and spending accountability.
-- Art McIntyre, Spring Hill
GOP protests against sales tax miss real runaway spending
Editor: I see where the Hernando County GOP opened its antitax campaign as being frugal. Ana Trinque and Mary Ann Hogan may live in Hernando County, but they must reside on another planet.
Frugal about a half-cent sales tax? Why aren't they outraged about the president's $500-billion-plus deficit, a debt their great-great-great-great-grandchildren will pay?
This is a good tax to help build, repair and renovate schools. Remember, "leave no child behind," or was this another fable told to us by the GOP? If you two can't come up with anything constructive, then don't say anything at all.
Why aren't you complaining about the bill that exempts firing range owners from having to clean up lead deposits, but passing the bill to taxpayers. People may die from lead poisoning, both Republicans and Democrats.
What about making a fuss about motorcyclists not wearing helmets? It's for their protection. An accident on a bike is a very costly medical expense and, if not paid by the biker's insurance, the bill is passed on to the public.
Or how about people using cell phones while driving? Or putting meters on all wells? Now you can collect revenue which was never collected and you save our most cherished resource, water.
Finally, let's prohibit riders from sitting on the back of an open truck. I saw one turn over with children sitting in the back. You wouldn't like to see that wreck.
Support your county and support the school tax.
-- Vic Gonzalez, Spring Hill
Committee member unjustly accused of lying at meeting
Editor: On Feb. 24, I got up in front of our Hernando County commissioners and tried to relate, in my allotted three minutes, facts, figures and documentation to show how a certain proposed development would, without doubt, harm wildlife and their habitat in this specified area. I have done this several times over the course of the past year, any time development is proposed on the west side of U.S. 19, nearby or bordering preserved land.
During this year, I have researched our bear population, reading and gaining information from several reliable sources. When I speak to our commissioners, I understand fully that they are interested in facts. That is all I give them.
On Feb. 24, Al Sevier, a member of our Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission, addressed the commissioners after I had spoken and told them what I had just said was simply not true. I, and others who have seen the program on the government broadcast Channel 19, were understandably disturbed by his unjust, unfounded and inappropriate remarks.
Residents of this county deserve the truth from their elected officials, as well as from those of us who take the time to intelligently address issues directly affecting the future of our Nature Coast community.
