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Hernando Today

Letters Provide Responsible Citizen Comments

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2008

Mr. Maestro's letter printed by Hernando Today on Jan. 9shared some of myhopes for financial relief for homeowners, many of which are only dreams. The third paragraph in particular touched on a topic I have personally felt unfair, sighting that paying school taxes is unfair to those of us who have had no school age children. This would put the responsibility for parents to pay what some would call "user fees." Those lavish cloths and electronic toys would be better spent on their education.

It would also put parents in the position to demand the quality of education from the school board thattheir children deserve toward a competitive edge for future employment opportunities. Since I put my money into the school system, I should think it my right to visit classrooms to view the effectiveness of teachers and judge their capabilities at providing the standard of learning I expect for my dollars. My motives would surely be suspect and rightly so. I wouldn't be so much concerned about being smarter than a fifth-grader as much as how seniors would fair in such a competition. My worst fear would find me passing judgment that I could do a better job than the professional educator.

Yes, the portion of school taxes on that end-of-the-year county tax bill is allocated to schools, just shy of half the total amount due, but the alternative would put our country at a regressive advantage to other countries in this global environment of competition in job markets.

It is also unfair that my tax bill is more than twice the amount a neighbor pays for a home purchased 20 years ago, yet has more square footage on a larger lotthan my own. The inequity is not of his making. He has repeatedly questioned why the disparity.

Mr. Mastro's letter also puts into question thecontributions toward social services, such as welfare payments. Rewarding parents who give birth to children to further supplement their payments from the government are unjust to society, especially when some have luxury cars parked in driveways of unkempt properties. It sets precedence for their children to continue the same abuse of the system.

Hernando Today has shown excellent choice of letters addressing the property tax issue. I appreciate the words and opinions of not only Jim Mastro but also Harry Chamberlain (Jan. 8,"Mix of Taxes Ideal"). Their words and presentations are quality works of responsible citizen comments.

Gentleman, your letters arebut two of the reasonswhy I relish my newspaper, without which Iwould havemissed by viewing the otherwise wonderful world of the Web.

Ron Rae

Spring Hill

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