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County gloats about tax relief despite unmet needs

At all levels, government should be effective, competent and efficient. In order to meet these standards of good government adequate financing is necessary.

For the past decade (at least) the legislative bodies at the national, state and county levels have frequently abandoned the pursuit of good government in obeisance to the mantra of "tax relief." The latest example of this trend is the irrational reduction of the ad valorem tax rate by the Citrus Board of County Commissioners.

This was done in spite of the county's innumerable unmet needs: clean rivers, reasonably priced ambulance service, adequate land-use planning, social services (meals on wheels, CASA, staffed playgrounds), roads, affordable employee health plans, public transportation and waste disposal - to mention just a few of the most obvious.

Beyond the debate as to what needs are to be addressed is the fundamental issue of what revenue sources should be used. Remember that over one half of all property taxes are paid by property owners living outside Citrus County. We will continue to give them tax relief while leaving the cost of ambulance services and solid waste inexcusably high for our residents.

In future times of crises (remember solid waste) we will have to turn to fees and special assessments which are invariably borne by residents. However, a majority of the commission can point with "political pride" to the fact that they are saving the typical resident family a whopping $16.37 this year. They, of course, will not mention that they are saving Progress Energy $715,037 (which will not be returned to the rate payers).

There is a certain irony in the fact that I continue to live with a county commission that has a knee-jerk 3 to 2 majority.

Crystal River residents no longer can afford their city's services

I read City Council member Jim Farley's desperate appeal to the voters of Crystal River, published recently in another newspaper, with some amusement. But that amusement quickly disappeared as I realized he wanted to take away our basic rights as citizens of this great country.

Our military is fighting for the right of free speech and the right to vote. Why, then, would some of this city's elected officials try to deny this right to its constituency? The petition for a referendum on whether to dissolve the city is only asking that the people of Crystal River be given a vote on this city's future. That's our right!

Some on council seem afraid for this vote to take place? Why do they take fact and try to turn it around with innuendo?

Our tax load will go down. It doesn't take a genius to see that fact. Look at your tax bill, utility bill, phone and cable bills. The charges relating to the city of Crystal River will no longer appear if the city is dissolved.

Will Crystal River remain? Of course it will. It will cost us a lot less, though. I look forward to that, don't you?

Mr. Farley mentions sidewalks the city has built and grants it has received. What sidewalks? How long have residents of Crystal River Village, walkers and bikers along Cutler Spur and others begged for sidewalks? I don't see them, do you?

Grants are obtained at a county level, also. Our right-of-ways are often not mowed and are littered with trash. Could the county do any worse?

I would miss our police department, but it's a fact that we pay dearly for it and also pay for the sheriff. Can we afford both?

This council has used up its reserves trying to keep 2006's millage rate at 5.6. Wait till next year's budget. Our taxes will skyrocket; it's inevitable.

Some on the council are talking about building a new city hall, medical insurance for council, putting in a city sales tax. Where will it end? Deep in our pockets would be my guess.

We need this referendum. We can no longer afford to be a city.

No one's taking the lead to promote energy conservation

It seems to me we have some sort of crisis with a large gap between oil and gas supplies and demand. Everyone complains about the cost of gasoline and high power bills, but there has been little done to reduce demand and, therefore, reduce prices.

Some individuals have changed their routines. Some of us must carefully monitor our spending. The big users show little effort.

There is a lack of leadership on the issue. I have heard requests for people to travel less and to raise their thermostats. Also, I heard an order to federal agencies to eliminate nonessential travel.

What I see in too many instances is business as usual. For instance, why do I still feel uncomfortably cold in stores and restaurants? In the one place where I noticed a difference, I heard people grumbling about the heat (Wow! It must have been close to 80 degrees. The inhumanity of it!).

Couldn't the local chamber of commerce have a positive impact on the laissez-faire attitude of business owners/managers? If some would take the lead, others would follow. I'm also puzzled as to why we still have Saturday delivery of the U.S. mail in the face of crisis. Why haven't I heard our political leaders calling for suspension of this luxury? Makes one wonder if anyone really wants to see lower demand and the resultant lower prices.

On the other hand, I don't see your newspaper emphasizing the steps that could be taken to conserve. Let's see something positive from you.

[Last modified October 10, 2005, 01:18:12]