Editor: It is only fair that everyone should pay equally for the fire and emergency medical services they share equally. Regardless of whether we are joined under one county service, or the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District remains independent, taxing through ad valorem taxes is a cash cow no matter how it is spent.
This issue was put to a vote a few years ago, and a flat tax very nearly passed. Back then it was reasoned that if your house was valued (assessed value) at $90,000, you would pay less than you were currently charged. If your house was valued (assessed value) at less than that figure, you would pay a little more. But everyone would pay equally. There is no logical reason to suspect that we will lose quality of service by changing the sourcing of the money to pay the bill.
There will still be a budget, and the needs of new engines or equipment, or salaries for that matter, would be addressed in the same responsible manner with equal consequences for all the residents of Hernando County.
With the spiraling prices of homes in this county, which in turn drive assessments that much higher, that gives the fire commissioners far more money to spend, even though our ad valorem rate remains the same. As was the case about 12 years ago, we would no longer have that many who would have to pay more - just better control of how much we need to raise to support these services, while not being raked over the coals.
The argument that taxes have not increased does not hold water, whether the fire commissioners, or Hernando County commissioners argue it. All one needs to do is compare his current property assessment to the one from several years ago. Are you paying more in real dollars now, or less?
The county commissioners should come forward for the good of all in the county and ensure that all residents receive the finest service that can be provided.
My gut guess is that if the two fire departments are joined together, run and funded by one commission that represents all residents, it would cost all of us less in the long run. We all would be paying and utilizing equally the great fire and emergency services provided by our firefighters, medics and support personnel.
-- Tom Daniel, Spring Hill
Hernando deputies don't deserve pay raises
Re: Raises for Hernando County deputies:
Editor: I read with astonishment your June 2 newspaper story regarding pay increases for Hernando County deputies. The only raise I would give them is to the moon. They sit in their cars and bother innocent people.
I, for one, will not pay their raises, or I will be leaving the county.
-- John Cullin, Spring Hill
County too supportive of builders, developers
Editor: Why was the Green Party's proposal for a living wage workshop virtually ignored by the Hernando County Commission? Why did four Democrats give one corporation (Wal-Mart) so much power in our county? Was it in the interest of free enterprise?
Unfortunately, so much domination of the market share by one big retailer may prevent a unionized discount chain, Costco, from any interest in coming to this "free enterprise zone."
Why is this county (just like the Republican-controlled counties in this state) so supportive of builders and developers who have no real interest in our citizens' quality of life?
I don't see the Republican and Democratic parties doing what the Green Party (small as we are) is out there doing for the people of Hernando County. All they seem to do is raise campaign funds to support candidates.
I wish others would join forces with us on some issues instead of expending all that energy trying to extinguish the Green Party.
In peace we trust.
-- Jennifer Sullivan, Spring Hill
[Last modified June 3, 2004, 21:01:07]
