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© St. Petersburg Times, published April 11, 2001
Editor: Let's see if we have it straight. The Pasco County commissioners want more money to spend on something. They aren't sure exactly what, so they'll ask around. But they do want more money. Therefore, they are proposing a tax.
They don't think we will support such a raid on our pocketbooks, so they will call it a "capital needs assessment," a Penny for Pasco or something cute and catchy so we won't know it's a tax. And they will spend more of our money to market the idea. Folks, it is not a penny. This tax amounts to a 16.67 percent increase in the sales tax. They will tell us about all the money to be gained from the tourists and part-time residents. However, they will fail to mention we will pay this tax every day, all year on everything we buy.
This is definitely an idea to be nipped in the bud. An increase in taxes is a drain on the economy (see Economics 101). Let us see instead some responsibility, some accountability. A budget, for example.
The commissioners obviously think we are all dumb enough to buy their feeble arguments. I don't believe the citizens of Pasco County are that stupid. A Penny for Pasco adds up to a penny for pork. And remember those who make these arguments at the next election.
-- Sarah Hanlon, Port Richey
Editor: A reader has vented his anger at the protests by the American Indian Movement (AIM) during the recent Chasco Fiesta. Perhaps a few children participating in the events were frightened, but they also had a chance to see democracy in action, and I hope the children realize that AIM has tried for several years to ask for simple changes to the Chasco Fiesta, with limited success and hardly any communication from those capable of making changes.
Consider the play, for instance. Gone is most of the racist dialogue, except for two comments by the old padre that fictitious Chasco Indians gave up their "pagan" ways, and later, referring to one of the pagan customs as human sacrifice of the invading Spaniards.
This is an improvement, right? True, but it still denigrates Native American spiritual beliefs while glorifying Christianity, and yet where are any of the true Florida tribes like the Calusa or the Timuaca? The white men completely exterminated them. During the play the white children danced and sang very well, but altering the play with rip-offs of Pocahontas and Longfellow's Hiawatha hardly sets right this terrible distortion of the truth. How ironic that this silly play took place while representatives from dozens of Indian nations danced and sang just a short distance away.
As to justifying this pageant because many Indians present do not belong to or support AIM, I would point out that for scores of years, white Southerners used the same argument against every black organization seeking civil rights for King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference to Newton's Black Panther Party. Any time anyone in this country takes on the establishment, it's a hard battle for respect, and for success it means pulling along all the reluctant leave-things-as-they-are folks, who are slow to anger and join.
AIM members are not thugs, bullies or savages, as this angry reader must know in his heart. They are Americans who nearly lost their lands, their culture and their will to live. It is a miracle we can still hear their living voices, no matter how harsh or painful their message.
-- Daniel Callaghan, New Port Richey
Editor: I live by a small lake. On the opposite shore is a small park adjacent to what was a large, forested tract. The forest is now gone, cement has been laid and houses are being built in the new subdivision. My lake is now mud, with pockets of water about 6 inches deep.
The new subdivision isn't open yet, and already people are showing up there to fish! They walk across the dry lake bed to my backyard. They have stomped down the tall grasses I left for the former forest critters to live under and upon. We have dozens of species of shore birds, rabbits, a young gator, tortoises, hawks, etc. They are all preparing nests for the spring.
Thanks to the two-legged interlopers, the animal habitats are being destroyed. My back yard is a registered wildlife habitat. The few fish in the water pocket are loaded with poisons from neighborhood runoff. Would you really want to eat these? When the fishing line got tangled, it was cut and left in the grasses.
If you are so cheap you can't buy fish at the market, at least fish in designated areas. If you come onto my property again, you better bring bail money. Buying a fish will prove to be less expensive.
-- Carmen Blakely, Lutz
Re: Water, people with ideas both in short supply, April 8 column.
-- Editor: I read your column concerning ideas in short supply. Very interesting that you should mention the meeting was scheduled for midafternoon, then go on to say in so many words that people would not have come out no matter when it was scheduled.
I would remind you our New Port Richey mayor also made a similar comment to the fact a rag-tag group of only 12 people showed up for the council meeting. Since then the rag-tags have become the Citizens Action Committee of New Port Richey, held demonstrations, and come out in force for on more than one issue, although one issue is all that's ever reported by the Pasco Times.
Remember, we didn't exist in January of this year, so you, along with others, may want to reconsider your position on citizen action or non-attendance. Rest assured our involvement in New Port Richey and its local politics is just in its infancy.
We welcome any other citizens of New Port Richey who would care to join us to call (727) 847-2341.
William Liska, New Port Richey
Editor: I am writing this letter over the laughter from cities and counties surrounding New Port Richey and Pasco County. The most recent special assessment program, as Tom O'Neil would call it, is an absolute joke.
Let me get this straight: The city of New Port Richey has been fined twice already for poor drainage problems, and now to correct the problem it is going to do a project where 93 residents will have to pay $4,800 for 10 to 15 years with a lien at 7 percent interest at least.
Now, if it's the city's problem, why should 93 residents have to pay stupid money on something that must be fixed anyway?
It's a shame that the city staff and City Council are brainwashed into thinking that assessment are the only way to get things done. Changes must be made in the thinking of this city.
-- Rick Bies, New Port Richey
Editor: In speaking with supporters in the area, there appears to be some confusion over which congressional seat I intend to run for in 2002.
Although I have filed as candidate in the 9th congressional district, I do not intend to run against the current U.S. representative holding this seat. Nor do I intend to run against any other current U.S. representative. I do, however, intend to run for one of two new congressional seats that the state of Florida anticipates it will gain as a result of reapportionment and the 2000 census.
Due to the requirements of the Federal Election Commission, an existing seat must be listed in the original campaign paperwork (FEC Form 2-Statement of Candidacy), with an amendment describing the actual seat I will run for to be filed once the Florida Legislature has finally adopted the new congressional districts.
A formal announcement as to the actual seat I will run for will be made at that time.
-- Chuck Kalogianis, New Port Richey
Editor: In the Tanglewood Terrace area, there are about 470 homes that are about to be assessed more than $1,300 each. Each home has about a 60- by 10-foot frontage to be repaved. Not all homes in the area need total street rebuilding. Would it be fair to assess a homeowner who is on a fixed income, living from month to month, and has to decide whether to get their needed medications for life or pay a bill? Have you ever been in this kind of situation?
It is true; under state law (Statute 170.08), counties and cities can assess property owners for road improvements and any other improvement that the governing body sees fit. Does that make it right? Does this law give the city the right to overcharge each homeowner three to four times what it would cost for the project?
There are some homes in this project that need total reconstruction of their road. These homes have a tax base of over $100,000. Should they pay only $600 more than a home that has a tax base of only $50,000?
One question the mayor of New Port Richey refused to answer (among many others) was: What is her ulterior motive for these excessive charges?
In my opinion, the mayor of New Port Richey has been spending the taxpayers' monies frivolously. Or has the mayor of New Port Richey been spending the taxpayers' monies wisely in the past?
Have you ever traveled Main Street of New Port Richey, especially during rush hour? Try it sometime.
According to the "City Manager's Recommended Budget For Fiscal Year 2000-2001," page 1, line 23: "Funding is included for street restoration work in the Tanglewood Terrace subdivision. "Capitol Program," line 6: "$1,400,000 is set aside for street restoration in the Tanglewood Terrace subdivision." Yes, the system is flawed, but why are our city leaders not budgeting the taxpayers' money properly?
Why has no one challenged this statute? This statute dates back to before 1924 when the population of Florida was far less than what it is today. This statute is antiquated and is unconstitutional. It reminds one of the Boston Tea Party: taxation without representation!
-- Justin Billings, New Port Richey
Editor: Every time I ride past the old theater in Dade City that they plan on making it into a theater and place for old people to meet, I get sick to my stomach.
There is no low-price housing in Dade City. Why not build high-rise apartments in place of a new theater and recreation center?
-- James Folson, Dade City
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