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Hernando Today

Commissioner Rowden Out Of Touch With Reality

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 18, 2008

Today's article on the intransigence of County Commissioner Diane Rowden on the reduction of impact fees on the Hernando County home building industry shows again that she is out of touch with reality.

Who pays a tax? That is the first question any elected official should ask themselves. The answer, of course, is the people. Regardless of the tax, it is passed on in the form of the final price.

The county has a gas tax, who pays it? Everyone who fills up their tank, that's who. If a tax is reduced, there is a good chance that to remain competitive the reduction will be passed on in the final price.

Don't be misled by calling it a fee as in the case of the current impact fees being charged. It is a tax pure and simple, and this fee (tax) is passed right along to the buyer of the house in the form of a higher purchase price. Lowering the impact fee would allow the builders to reduce their prices by that amount and possibly put a few more houses on the tax rolls of the county.

And on the future of THE Bus, Rowden reminds me of the Captain of the Titanic, full speed ahead regardless of the cost. These actions tell me that it may be time for the commissioners who are up for re-election to be sent home to rest for awhile and let some new faces take the helm. If the new faces can't do the job, come back in four years and the voters may give you another chance.

Harry Chamberlain

Spring Hill

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