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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 3, 2008

LETTERS

Loophole Puts City's Future At Risk

Tom Jackson's (July 25) article hit the nail on the head. Yes, (Vice Mayor Mark) Hashim, who wants to close the city, is attempting to do it from within, even though the voters turned down his referendum.

However, the cutting of city departments, which are (in the) charter in Port Richey, requires a vote of the citizens. It's fashionable to speak of loopholes, so much that the connotation of being underhanded and unfair is being lost. Surely, you are not endorsing a loophole which would take away the citizens' right to a vote to dissolve and endorsing accomplishing (the) same via a loophole.

No the loophole was that city council ... in a special last-minute meeting, advertised only as a presentation of the 2009 budget, voted to set a millage rate, which will be accomplished through the improper use of CRA funds. These are funds gathered from all of Pasco County's residents, and now we fund our general budget. Thanks, Pasco County taxpayers. Now do you laud the loophole?

JAMES MATHIEU

Port Richey
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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The writer is Port Richey's former city attorney and interim city manager.

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