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Debate sizes up dissolving Crystal River

"I can't think of any benefits from the city that I couldn't get from the county," says a former City Council member. But his opponent, the mayor, says otherwise.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published September 16, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - For a man trying to convince an audience that the city is an entity worth keeping, Crystal River Mayor Ron Kitchen wasn't full of good news.

On the city's fiscal policies:

"We waste a lot of tax dollars," Kitchen told the audience of almost 100 during a debate Wednesday night.

About the council's attitude concerning constituents:

"This whole issue is about frustration," Kitchen said. "It started after the council let the city manager go."

About residents' attitudes toward the City Council:

"Hardly anyone comes to the council meetings," Kitchen said. "You deserve what you got. It's your fault. Citizens control the city, not the council."

Kitchen's opponent in Wednesday's debate, which was held at the Crystal River National Guard Armory, was Phil Price, a 27-year city resident, accountant and former City Council member. Price is part of a group that seeks to dissolve the city and allow county government to take over governance.

"We have a duplicity of bureaucracy in Crystal River," Price said. "The city is better off dissolved. I can't think of any benefits from the city that I couldn't get from the county. And our taxes would be lower."

"Most residents wouldn't notice any change if the city was dissolved," Price said. "Except for the extra change you'd have in your pocket."

Kitchen said the county would most likely create a special tax district, but Price said the county has never imposed a discretionary tax district.

"People always ask for it to pay for something, such as roads," Price said.

Kitchen also said the county couldn't be trusted to safeguard the pristine Crystal River.

In response, Price asked the audience: "How many of you are from out of town?"

Of those who raised their hands, Price then asked, "Okay, now, how many would like to be annexed into Crystal River?"

No hands were raised.

A petition calling for a vote on dissolving city government already has the number of residents' signatures needed to get the question on the ballot, Price said. He said the petition will be delivered to the Supervisor of Elections Office within 30 days.

After the supervisor of elections verifies the signatures, the petition will be delivered to the City Council, Price said. Price said he thinks the law calls for an election within 90 days of that delivery.

[Last modified September 16, 2005, 01:35:22]