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County workers should pick up part of tab for health care costs

While I do believe that property taxes in Hernando County are too high, this probably will not be fixed any time soon. Talk of lowering taxes by an average of $50 a year is a joke. There is no money for roads, schools or any of the other improvements a county growing as fast as this will need.

Many residents will remember that a few months back it was announced that most county employees would receive raises in excess of 5 percent. In a recent newspaper article, human resources director Barbara Dupre said employees receive free health insurance, and the cost likely will increase 20 percent this year.

"We don't want to burden employees with cost," she said, so the the county plans to pass at least $700,000 to taxpayers. It currently costs the county $3.5-million to provide this care.

Give me a break! The general population that has health insurance, even those on Medicare, pay larger amounts every year.

It is time for the employees to start picking up at least part of the tab for their health care. We all should have county jobs. No health care costs. Raises every year. Who knows what other perks they have - and I'm sure there are plenty.

If they don't like it, want to strike or do some other foolish action, let them. There are plenty who would love their jobs.

Hernando needs leaders with more common sense

Have the Hernando County commissioners lost all touch with reality? If they had an ounce of common sense, they would call for a moratorium on development. But they probably do not even know what the word means.

It does not matter that the destruction of the county is imminent. Traffic is already a problem; there are not enough roads. Accidents occur every single day. Pollution from cars and trucks is a problem. There is not enough water. The more wells you drill, the more sinkholes appear. The fire and police departments are stretched thin, and crime is on the rise.

There is wanton destruction of trees and wildlife. There are not enough schools, and up and down every street in residential areas there are "For Sale" signs. Hernando County is an endangered species. Somebody has to do something. If there are any level-headed residents to replace these commissioners, run for their seats, and let's get some sanity.

One thing that is really of interest: How are three electrical and four plumbing inspectors going to inspect all of the new developments, house by house? Let's say that will be about 10,000 new homes. How are they really going to do a good job?

Your guess is as good as mine.

[Last modified March 12, 2006, 01:18:21]