LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Referendum A Bill Of Goods

State Rep. Dan Gelber stated in a recent Florida Trend article that "Florida has really major challenges right now, and we're just moving everything in the in-box to the bottom, hoping it goes away." That statement is right on point.

After a 60-day regular session and four expensive special sessions in 2007, you would think the governor and Legislature could successfully address some of Florida's many challenges. Instead, they draw on the frustrations and fears of citizens in order to divert attention away from their failures and direct it toward cities, counties and school districts. These are the very governmental entities that provide day-to-day services to all Florida citizens.

So what do your state leaders do? They draw attention away from their failures to address numerous important state issues. Homeowners insurance is just one example. Tens of thousands of our citizens have either had their property insurance canceled, or they had to drop their coverage because of sky-high premiums. The governor and Legislature should have stayed focused on the insurance crisis instead of manufacturing another crisis as a diversion.

We are now told that the state knows best when it comes to running city and county governments and local school districts. Actually, the governor and Legislature are not qualified to run local governments. They are out of their league when it comes to being responsible for the day-to-day delivery of vital local services and for educating our children. Local officials elected by and working with local citizens are the best qualified for these challenges.

Here is the crux of this state-created crisis. They say local governments spend too much money, resulting in high property taxes. Hello? Almost without exception, each year the Florida Legislature imposes unfunded mandates on local governments and school districts. Now, they have the nerve to say these same local governments must be fiscally controlled by the state.

Floridians, pay attention! We are being sold a bill of goods, and the goods are bad. Whether we are native Floridians or have been here for a short period of time, this is our state and we deserve better from Charlie Crist and the Legislature. The governor should lead Florida, not participate in a diversionary shell game that could very well cripple local governments in the delivery of adequate vital public safety and quality of life services.

My family and I, as well as many of our friends, will be voting "No" on the property tax amendment Jan. 29. Granted, our tax system certainly needs some adjustments and improvements. This issue is being addressed by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. Let's give the commission a chance to work through this complicated issue and recommend needed substantive changes. The Jan. 29 property tax referendum is a result of shallow politicians out of Tallahassee that draw on the frustrations of hard-working taxpayers.

Instead of the state becoming an obstruction to local governments, it should partner with them. This partnership will result in better solutions for all. As Rep. Gelber stated, ".....we're just moving everything in the in-box to the bottom, hoping it goes away."

Ernie Padgett

Marianna

Editor's note: Ernie Padgett has a master's degree in public administration from Florida State University, has been a county commissioner for four years and a county administrator in three Florida counties for 20 years.

Meat Wagon Rip Off

An open letter to all of Hernando County and Pasco residents:

Please be advised that there are several vendors in trucks riding around in our area selling meat and seafood out of freezers on the back of their trucks. They claim they have booths in Ocala at the Monday flea market and have meat left over because they had a bad day.

I belong to about five or six clubs in our area, and I compared notes with all of the members. You would be surprised at how many older people have been shafted with about six months of the worst tasting chicken, inferior seafood and beef so tough and full of fat and gristle that it is impossible to chew. In other words, you will be shafted!

The guarantee is no good. They give wrong the address and the wrong telephone number. It is almost impossible to trace them down. After three months, I did. When I complained to them, they claimed they would trade out the bad meat.

No! They did not. When I called to complain that they didn't, I was called all kind of profane words then they used smutty remarks and also resorted to kill me if I called again.

I could name names; however, I must spare the fine newspaper a lawsuit. However, the worst offender lives south toward Dade City.

I am thinking strongly about taking them to small claims court. I know I will win the case. They will have to reimburse me, not only the cost of the meat, but about an extra $200 in court costs, all of that in addition to the lost time that they will spend in court.

Should anyone reading this letter buy from these vendors, expect to be burned. I would write their tag number, the driver's license number and make of vehicle. Please don't be afraid of offending them because their profane language and smut, as well as a threat to do bodily harm to an older person, will offend you. Better them than you. Their guarantee isn't worth the paper it was written on.

Kate L. Adams

Ridge Manor

Hands Off, County

I would like to tell the county that Spring Hill Fire Rescue is in the hands of the voters. That was what the county commissioners voted 4-1 last April. I think the county should respect the voters and the taxpayers' rights.

Spring Hill Fire Rescue has been independent for 30 years, and that's the way I want them. If the county wants to save those hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, what they have to do is reduce the ridiculous pay that the county's employees are getting.

I have been here in Hernando County for more of 30 years and helping my community and a political campaigner and I think Fire Chief J.J. Morrison is right. This is a matter of give and take. The county is only interested in money. So please leave Spring Hill Fire Rescue alone here in Spring Hill.

Leave them in the hands of the voters, and you will see the result.

Rachael Rodriguez

Spring Hill