Letters to the Editors

Stop county government from gorging

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 28, 2001

Why was there so much whining by Pinellas County commissioners at the budget hearing about state mandates and the Save Our Homes cap? Faced with the same state mandates and Save Our Homes cap, Hillsborough County commissioners are able to lower their tax rates.

Pinellas commissioners are fed a bunch of poor excuses dished out by county administrators that commissioners eat up like Pablum. County staff grudgingly will take a few million off their original ludicrous $40-million requested increase. Their plans are to further inflate Pinellas government, and they put on a show as though they've tightened the belt all that they could.

Sucking $36.4-million from the private sector to feed the bigger government machine is the only solution they can manage, even during an economic slowdown.

I have a suggestion. Relieve county staff of its duties immediately. Aside from either being incompetent or insincere, they are embarrassing the commission with lame excuses. Bring in the Hillsborough experts to show how a county staff can execute its mission without resorting to a Barney and Friends show.

Pinellas County may be at build-out, but its government is planning on growing even bigger.

The commissioners unanimously approved a 15-percent increase in the unincorporated area's MSTU tax rate, and by a 4-3 vote approved raising the rest of the $36.4-million with the countywide property tax. Voting for the increase in the countywide rate were Commissioners Susan Latvala, Barbara Sheen Todd, Karen Seel and Kenneth Welch. Against were Calvin Harris, Bob Stewart and John Morroni.

Call to discuss your concerns with a commissioner. The final public hearing on the budget is at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28 in Clearwater.
-- Avis Traester, Palm Harbor

Come to final budget hearing Aug. 28

I appeared before the County Commission to protest increased property taxes. Three of the commissioners (Calvin Harris, John Morroni and Bob Stewart) wanted to keep taxes low. Three others wanted to increase taxes but were willing to listen (Barbara Sheen Todd, Karen Seel and Kenneth Welch). One (Susan Latvala) was frantic to get the biggest increase she could. The final vote favored Latvala's position 4 to 3.

I can understand why those who wanted to increase taxes felt no nervousness about doing so. The commission secretary announced the commission received only three letters, 10 e-mail messages and a few phone calls about the subject. Why should they worry? Apparently their constituents did not care. Maybe they are right.

I do not understand why homeowners do not care that their taxes are being increased and have been increased again and again. They will probably care when they see the tax bill, but by then it will be too late. They have no one to blame but themselves.

There is another public hearing on August 28th. I urge everyone to attend, send letters and make phone calls.
-- Lawrence P. Marlin, Palm Harbor

County should tighten its belt, too

We totally agree with Curtis Holmes, chairman of the Taxpayer's Association, when he says, "With a weakening economy, the proposed county tax increase will further hurt Pinellas businesses and homeowners." At a time like this, the county government should tighten its belt and live within the cost of living, like the rest of us are compelled to do.

We know a young man who has a business that employed 10 people at the beginning of the year. The business is directly affected by the slowdown in the economy, but he has a good product to sell. He is down to six employees. All six have voluntarily taken a 25-percent pay cut to help the business through these slow times. He hasn't taken a paycheck from the business for four months. These young people are making quite a sacrifice to help the business survive, and now the county wants to kick them in the gut while they are down. This same scene is being repeated throughout the county.

Would the county commissioners and the county employees be willing to make that same sacrifice and take a 25-percent pay cut to keep their jobs during these difficult times?

Homeowners we have talked to are angry about the TRIM notices and are against any kind of millage increase, as are we. Retirees living on fixed income and deflated investments also are up in arms about any type of tax increase. Is there enough anger to foment a taxpayers' revolt?

When county residents voted to have seven commissioners represent them, citizens did not have in mind a bigger, more intrusive government. They were sending a message of a desire to have more representation and more brainpower for a more deliberative commission. This is your first real test. Please don't fumble the ball! Do what is best for Pinellas County citizens: vote no tax increase.
-- Charles F. Shank, Clearwater

Ban cell phones while driving

I am very concerned about cell-phone use and driving. Proper legislation is needed immediately to prevent needless deaths through driving misconduct. Until we get this legislation, a defense attorney for irresponsible, drunken, drugged or rage-filled drivers need only plead "phone use." This is a serious issue.
-- Marty Martindale, Largo

Albertsons sets good example

I wish to congratulate Albertsons for a wonderful contribution to assist in savings on the electrical consumption of their stores. If every office building and store would emulate Albertsons, many families could afford electricity and possibly there would be a rate reduction by Florida Power. What a concept!
-- Judy Marley, Clearwater

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