Who's the boss?

I hope our local government officials read these letter as there are some serious issues at our county at all levels.

I had a hearing Monday set to hopefully have my tax bill adjusted to real values. After sitting there for three-quarters of an hour, they informed us that the sitting magistrate's office screwed up the dates, and we wouldn't have a hearing that day.

Wow!

I spoke to Hernando County Property Appraiser Alvin R. Mazourek later in the week and he, of course, blames the clerk of the court for the lack of organizational skills of a magistrate for not being there for these tax hearings. I understand folks even flew in from Texas as well as the other six people sitting waiting our turns.

I drove more than 1,000 miles plus food, gas, hotel rooms to get here for a hearing that didn't take place. If this was any other court matter and I missed it, the court would not have any leniency for me missing my court date. This is unacceptable and no one takes responsibility or offers to help pay my expenses. I'm sure the magistrate gets paid mileage for his trip, why shouldn't I?

This is part of why the public has such disdain for government - local, state and federally. You can spend money like it grows on trees and never have anyone to answer to it.

Gladys, who is in charge of the commercial tax assessments, continues to change the rules (or at less how they calculate our taxes) every time we speak to her. Wouldn't it be nice if the staff were a little warmer and friendlier? I must have seen more than 30 staff members in elevators or in the hallways and not one even said "good morning." I get warm greetings in every other business in town. Maybe they could adopt a new plan of smiling and saying "hi" to the taxpayers of Hernando County.

We are their bosses. (Real joke.)

Thomas N. Richards

Weeki Wachee