Luck has a price

*This commentary is a supplement to my commentary “Lucky, Lucky Me”

I appreciate the feedback of Christopher Miles to the letter I submitted regarding the passage of Amendment One and how I felt the inequities of property taxes reinforces the shortcomings of Save Our Homes.

I held the same opinion of many major newspapers, including the Tampa Tribune, with their viewpoints that the legislation was poorly written, although Hernando Today’s Editor, Chris Wessel, seemed to have been one of the giddiest of all supporters in his pre-election article.
My primary contention lays to rest with the often-experienced scenario that when I sold my previous home in 2005 and moved to a home that is valued much less, I had to assume a tax bill more than twice the previous amount. In all fairness, a roll back to allow myself and others the newly passed benefit of limiting the increase to the 3% would make us happier homeowners. That would put to test county commissioners throughout Florida to compensate taxpayers for the out of control spending.

Those neighbors I spoke of had initiated the conversation on my property taxes when I first moved to my new home. I didn’t mind them poking their noses in my affairs – they were the ones who were aghast at the difference in tax liabilities. If they had been responsible citizens they would have been justified to support Amendment One but they didn’t vote – their votes weren’t necessary.

Also, I meant no insult to senior citizens. They are the most civic minded of all residents; their needs are immediate and of considerable concern. I wish they could use their “windfall” of lower tax bills for something other than medical expenses, but it is unlikely. (I recently heard an advertisement offering a doublewide mobile home for $39,900 – I would gladly have any of them as neighbors. We would all benefit from the portability of the 3% cap.).

I sincerely hope the constitutionality of the passage of Amendment One proves to be an unwarranted legal matter. Other people’s distresses overshadow my opinion.

A final comment in response to Mr. Miles’ letter, citing his suggestion that I donate my savings to a charity. NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) is my immediate choice. Although I definitely won’t see the annual $3,700 savings of a couple in South Tampa that Governor Crist so proudly brought to our attention during his campaigning for the Amendment and, since I can’t commit to that $240 amount because I doubt the my home is valued at whatever the “typical” value may be, I will keep you posted on the amount of my donation this November when my postal worker delivers the letter that shows a return address of Juanita B. Sikes, CFC, Tax Collector, Hernando County.

At that point, I will forward a copy of the receipt of my charitable contribution to Editor Chris Wessel.