Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Getting rid of death tax will save family farms

Re: 'Save the family farm' ploy easy to see through, Aug. 13 column by Andrew Skerritt:

As someone whose family has actually paid the death tax to the IRS, in order to maintain family ownership of our farm in Hernando County, I'd like to educate Skerritt about the truth behind his ridiculous column.

In my situation, the choice was simple: Go in debt to save the farm. We paid the 58 percent instead of being forced to sell the farm for development; that was before Congress temporarily eliminated the tax. U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite is absolutely correct that we must permanently get rid of the death tax once and for all. After paying the 58 percent, there is nothing gained, only an empty bank account.

Simple math would tell us that selling a family farm at a 15 percent capital gains rate makes better economic sense than waiting until you die and forcing your children to pay a 58 percent death tax. Perhaps they no longer teach basic math or statistics in journalism school, but 15 percent is a whole lot less than 58 percent. We have all seen many ranches and family farms broken up, creating smaller subdivisions. There is a prime example within a couple of miles of our own farm. These were owned by families who were subjected to the death tax and the survivors were forced to sell.

The next time Mr. Skerritt writes a column about financial decisions that affect real people, "not big corporations," perhaps he should speak first to the men and women who will get hit with the 58 percent death tax. He might realize that getting rid of the death tax once and for all will help American families eliminate the incentive to take the easy way out and sell the family farm to yet another developer.

James Adkins, Brooksville

Cutting county taxes will hurt quality of life

Re: County tax cut met with discord, Aug. 16 Times:

Commissioner Jeff Stabins said that the difference in approach to the budget is philosophical. That being the case, Stabins' philosophy and vision appear to be Hernando County "On the Cheap."

The cost of living has increased 4.8 percent, and county population has increased 5 percent. That's 9.8 percent just to stay even. Stabins wants to reduce the increase to 4.8 percent and lower the millage rate. Here is a little irony: The sheriff's increase is 9.8 percent. Has anyone questioned that? The same forces that drive his budget - cost of living and population - drive the county's budget. Somehow Stabins' logic evades me, but that is okay because the first rule for "On the Cheap" is "It doesn't have to be logical or make sense."

Here is what On-the-Cheap mentality gets you:

The Iraq war: It is common knowledge that when we invaded Iraq we did it with far fewer troops than were necessary to maintain security. Guess who is paying for that decision and will for many years to come?

Hurricane Katrina disaster relief: Again, slow to act and not enough resources. Who's paying?

Border security: Too slow and not funded enough.

The same applies to: homeowners insurance, 9/11 recommendations, the prescription drug program, energy, education and health care.

I think we are all starting to see what the On-the-Cheap mentality is costing us nationally. Here is what it is costing us locally.

Commissioner Nancy Robinson basically said in the article that it was better to give the taxpayers a reduction in their taxes than to invest in the county's infrastructure. On the surface this might seem like a good move, but not so fast. Here is what it means. Had the millage rate stayed the same for the past few years the county would have taken in $32-million more than it did. The county just recently had to borrow $23-million to pay for capital improvements, the Emergency Operations Center and libraries, because it didn't have the money to pay up front. The interest on that loan is $13-million, which will be paid by taxpayers for many years to come.

The On-the-Cheap approach is nothing more than a mask to cover up one's inability to deal with complex, long-term issues. So, beware of On-the-Cheap. It will cost you in many ways for a long time.

Jay Rowden, chairman Democratic Executive Committee Hernando County

There are ways to entice insurers back to the state

Flood insurance is sold as a separate entity by the government. What if Citizens, the state-run insurer, were to sell wind insurance as a separate entity?

Possibly the insurance companies would return to our state en masse, not having wind coverage as part of homeowner policies. For those without mortgage obligations, wind coverage could be optional. Homeowners with mortgages would be required by lenders to carry coverage in the amount of their loan.

Perhaps we could rid ourselves of the "replacement cost factor" that is such a farce in many cases, and such a drain on our pocketbooks.

Sensible rates for sinkhole repairs also should entice the homeowners insurance companies to return and write new policies.

Ted Pascoe, Spring Hill

We need a children's hospital, not a golf course

Our 17-month-old granddaughter, after being sick for a week, came down with an extremely itchy rash from head to toe, which lasted nine days, was at its worst at night and included a fever.

After emergency room visits (asking so many questions), numerous pediatric visits, a trip to a dermatologist (still asking questions) and being sent to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, I thought "Why are we getting the runaround? Isn't there someone who can help us now?"

So many children are being sent from Spring Hill and Oak Hill hospitals to St. Joseph's or All Children's hospitals. I think it's time we make room for our children here in Hernando County!

Don't forget the frustration, time and money it's costing parents to bring their children (sometimes in the middle of the night or by ambulance) to these hospitals. They're worried enough if their children will be all right; why must they be brought to another county? It's crazy.

We don't need another golf course, coffee shop or foreign car place. What we do need is a quality hospital or hospital wing for the children.

I'm asking anyone who's been through this to help. Let's write or call the chief executives of Spring Hill and Oak Hill hospitals, the county commissioners, senators, mayor, governor or whoever it takes to give our children a voice, and parents and grandparents some peace of mind. Remember, the children are our future.

Joanne LaFace, Spring Hill

Teachers should set an example by way they dress

On Aug. 10 the Times published a photograph of an assistant principal aiding elementary school children on their first day of school.

The children were properly attired, apparently following the school dress code for pupils. The educator, on the other hand, was wearing clothing that certainly does not set an example of propriety for children.

Is there not a dress code in our local schools that includes teachers and administrators?

Gene Barat, Weeki Wachee

YOUR VOICE COUNTS

We welcome letters from readers for publication. To send a letter from your computer, go to www.sptimes.com/letters and fill in the required information. Type your letter in the space provided on the form, specify that you are writing the Hernando section of the newspaper, and then click "submit." You also may cut and paste a letter that you have prepared elsewhere in your computer.

If you prefer, you may fax your letter to (352) 754-6133, or mail it to: Letters to the Editor, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613.

All letters should be brief and must include the writer's name, city of residence, mailing address and telephone number. When possible, letters should include a handwritten signature. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed. The Times does not publish anonymous letters.

Letters may be edited for clarity, taste, length and accuracy. We regret that not all letters can be printed.

[Last modified August 22, 2006, 07:11:22]