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Pasco Letters to Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

Updated: 12/12/2007 09:33 am

Tax Amendment Mess

Letters are showing up more and more about the constitutional amendment dealing with property taxes. I generally am against most of these proposed amendments simply because I think the amendment process is too easy and at the mercy of special interests.

One result is a Florida Constitution that is a laughingstock because it is so long and includes things that don't belong there (see: pregnant pigs).

But this amendment we will vote on Jan. 29 will result in an overly complicated property tax.

To me, it should be simple: If property taxes are too high, cut them and spend less. Besides, the state has no business being involved this way in county tax collections.

But the worst aspect of this vote is the timing: having it on the day of the presidential preference primary. The voter turnout statewide for the last primary was 20 percent; there's no reason to think it will be larger this time.

Even with the new requirement of 60 percent of the vote needed for approval, you could have a constitutional amendment approved by 12 percent of registered voters. That may be why the Legislature is having the vote then.

Amendments should be voted on in general elections, period.

ERNEST LANE

Trinity

Playing With Fire

I am very concerned about the emergency evacuation route on State Road 54 from Bruce B. Downs Boulevard to Morris Bridge Road. The widening of part of this route has been delayed to 2015 or beyond.

Every day on this road is a traffic jam. The powers that be in Pasco County and the state Department of Transportation are playing with fire by delaying widening of part of this important evacuation route.

New Tampa, Land O' Lakes, points west to New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel, including three new malls and a proposed new hospital, and Interstate 275 traffic coming north would all go through this two-lane bottleneck.

On I-75, both the Bruce B. Downs and S.R. 56 exits funnel up to S.R. 54. Many others will head north on Morris Bridge Road, which runs into the two-lane S.R. 54.

The widening of all of S.R. 54 needs to be sped up, not delayed, or thousands could be stranded on the roadways during a hurricane.

ROY THOMAS

Wesley Chapel

Farmers' Gifts

State Rep. John Legg, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and I announce that the annual Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway will be held Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. until noon. The giveaway, which includes fresh food donated by Florida's farmers, will be held at the Center of Seven Springs Shopping Center at the corner of Little Road and Old State Road 54 (4124 Little Road in Trinity).

Low-income families and recipients of Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and food stamps are eligible to participate.

We are once again blessed to work with farmers throughout Florida to provide food at this special time of the year.

For more information about the giveaway please contact my office at (727) 848-5885 or (800) 948-5885.

MIKE FASANO

New Port Richey

Respected By Law

I understand it is election time and that political organizations, parties and action committees, etc., need media coverage, but truth is very important. As the result of many misrepresentations and lies, I would like to state that I have never been harassed, intimidated or threatened by the Pasco County Sheriff's, either publicly or in private.

PENO HARDESTY

New Port Richey

The writer represents District 11 in the Florida Senate.

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