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Hernando Today

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 4, 2008

I Want It, I Need

It, I've Got To Have It

We wouldn't care how much the unionized groups, such as police, fire and teachers, make and keep asking for yearly if we eliminate all fees and property tax and increase the sales tax.

The more you spend, the more you can ask for.

That way, those of us (some living on even less than the $2,200 per year - the proposed teachers wage hike) can manage by our spending choices.

Your pension funds (almost nonexistent for the majority of the people) and investing in oil (to the detriment of those same people) can help you earn even more money.

We who have none of these great jobs and benefits are tired of hearing your cries of poverty. Put down your steak and try understanding the problems of the hot dog eaters.

We need to eliminate those five county commissioners' part-time jobs for one capable full-time administrator who would equally bring relief to all of the county residents in these economically hard times.

Those of us without the benefit of unions and lawyers, young families and old, are having financial problems also. What recourse do we have? We surely don't have the ear of any commissioner. Trying to keep their part-time $60,000 job, and giving away the farm to the same groups, isn't helping the majority of the resident population.

Good-paying work here is almost nonexistent. The builders came and workers thrived, but the golden goose was killed by fees and taxes. Commissioners and county officials needed more money, more upgrades for county workers and administrative vehicles. No more Ford Rangers for us; it's F150s or better. A $45,000 salary became $90,000 in one instant.

Well, that's all gone; no more jobs paying that kind of money. But the only people trying to hold down costs are the people without their own unions and lawyers. The rest are dwelling in never-never land. As a 61-year-old laid-off electrician, a veteran, living on a $131 unemployment check (soon to expire), food stamps (forget about it, I'm over-qualified), my only complaint is reading about people who are working good jobs complaining that other counties pay the same positions more.

My wife, at 57 years old, travels to Pasco to work 40 hours at $7 an hour; and we are thankful for that. I wish I could work with her for that much. Now, how can we help you?

Also, "Save THE Bus." Some people do need it. Be compassionate; drop one visit to Starbucks per year. A footless man wonders why a shoeless man is complaining so much.

Richard Norcini

Spring Hill

Tired Of Excuses

Supervisor of Elections Annie Williams can make all the excuses she wants about the wasting of more than $8,400 of our taxpayer money on the sample ballots like it is no big deal, but the fact still remains that this money was wasted and who knows on how many other elections this may have happened. She claims in her response given to the Hernando Today that in 2004, at a United States Postal Service workshop, her staff was informed that the office did not qualify to apply for a nonprofit postal permit. In her original response to the paper on June 25, she said she looked into the issue of securing a nonprofit permit during the 2004 election and was told by the USPS that the savings would have been only 2.4 cents per piece.

So just what has she been doing between then and now?

Ms. Williams, the taxpayers are tired of politicians and their excuses.

Pat McNiff

Spring Hill

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