Time To Face The Consequences: Daddy's Home

I'm a Realtor and I relate to Beth Garman's story. Beth is a respected leader in Hernando County's Association of Realtors. She brings a sense of civility and fair play in all of her dealings. It is sad for colleagues and associates to see that her years of livelihood are cut short. My sentiment is the same for all real estate and building professionals in Hernando County who have been devastated by the effect of runaway property taxes.

Beth's business and thousands of others in the Hernando County real estate and building trades began its demise during the early fall of 2005. Our county commissioners, in their shortsightedness during 2004 through 2005, allowed millage rates to float up with nearly doubled property assessments, taking from taxpayers by the force of law, nearly $100 million dollars more than needed to provide for continued good services of infrastructure, fire and law enforcement in Hernando County.

More than a 100 percent increase in property taxes since 2004 to present with a 20 percent increase in population. Who got tax whacked the most? New homebuyers and property investors. Hernando County taxes are in effect telling snowbirds, landlords and investors to sell and go away.

One hundred million equals about $2 billion dollars in commerce if left in an economy for four years. If the feds today gave $2 billion to our 165,464 Hernando County citizens or $12,658 per person and said "Uncle Sam will give you this money, but you must spend it in your county." People could pay their mortgages on time, foreclosures would go away and building and real estate sales would thrive again. My point is that taking away money from these folks and giving it to self-serving government instead, you kill a small economy such as Hernando County's. That's what our county commissioners unwittingly accomplished.

Now, if you are long-term homesteaders of five years or more, you are probably asking: What does this commentary have to do with me? Well, when times are tough, violent crime and fraud go up, devaluing the quality of life in your neighborhood as your property value declines.

Beth Garman will rebuild and re-employ top producing agents because she is a winner and Hernando County government is the loser. If Realtors and builders are guilty of anything, it is not for speaking up against our county commissioners in 2004 and 2005 for the tax robbery. Together, we could have very much softened this recession.

Today, many professionals are facing foreclosure and bankruptcy because they do not have a working spouse or another source of income. There are many trade professionals who will walk away from their homes and Florida for that matter. For those of us who are determined that never again will we let three hard-of-hearing individuals determine our future, we're back with one clear and unified voice. It reminds me of when I was a boy and I misbehaved, my mother would say, "Wait until your father gets off of work."

To those incumbents who are up for re-election: Daddy's home.

JAZ Zydenbos

Weeki Wachee