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.

Affordable Workforce Housing

Silly, silly me! My understanding of “affordable workforce housing” demonstrates how naïve I can be. Unfortunately, I don’t have in my possession a Government Dictionary that spells out the true meaning of buzz wording.

I first became aware of the concept of affordable workforce housing a couple of years ago at one of the hearings of Hernando County Board of County Commissioners. I thought it a unique and progressive means of setting a path for a broader range of residents to share in what is typically the best investment one can make in their lives.

Another reality check put this design at a higher level of government: a knucklehead brainchild of the Tallahassee Legislative branch. It appears to be a pointless goal since there seems to be no dedication to bring the idea to fruition.

I have now come to the conclusion that the word “workforce” is generally meant for those with government employment, particularly police, firemen and schoolteachers. You might think government would show a sense of urgency but there is seldom a discussion of the matter. The one exception is County Commissioner Diane Rowden. Her words and thoughts on the subject gave me an awareness of the term.

Mrs. Rowden is quite the maverick of the five-member Board. Time and again she has openly expressed her dismay when hearing after hearing broadens the scope of residential subdivisions. Her No vote is expected but hers is the only dissenting vote.

The Commission’s hearing for giving the approval of Sierra Properties’ Hickory Hill project atop the county’s most esthetic piece of land demonstrated her misunderstanding of what every other community leader sees as Hernando County’s future in the grand scheme of development. Her shock and dismay over what became the final approval was blatantly displayed after the vote was said and done. Mine too. With little consolation, I held a hastily printed sign that read “What about affordable workforce housing?” Diane gave me acknowledgement, the appreciation was apparent.

Commissioner Rowden will have to give the idea up for the time being. She has little choice but to wait for the influence of local business interests give the signal that it’s okay to give it a green light. For it to be a financial boon to their interests, the green will have to be in the form of big bucks.