RE: Utility tax

Dear Editor:

It was interesting reading the Editorial page of the Observer this past week [June 9]. There was more opposition than support for the utility tax, yet it passed.

There was a claim that the city could no longer put the financial burden on the backs of its employees. However, the majority of city employees have not suffered any real burdens beyond those that its citizens are already bearing. Most of the individuals who were laid off were victims of waste and duplication fostered by the city commission for years. Furthermore, the city commission has not contributed any of its compensation or benefits, nor has the union representing public safety employees done so, except for temporarily freezing already lucrative pay and benefit packages.

On top of that, one of the commissioners is still questioning why a rate increase on property taxes from 5.79 to 6.7688 is not a 17 percent increase. Yes, there may have been some lower tax bills in the mix, but the only way that someone’s property taxes stayed the same or went down would have been because that property suffered a 17 percent or greater decline in value, year after year. I doubt that anyone would feel good about that. It’s surprising that any of the city commissioners still do not get that. Maybe if it’s said often enough, people will start believing it.

It’s also amazing to me that this city commission continues to approve tax increases that the people do not want, while not recognizing the additional burdens placed on a citizenry that has been hit with layoffs, stagnant or declining fixed incomes, and a continuing distrust of elected officials. It is correct to say that we voted for these folks. I’m just wondering, why?

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Cove Entrance

Dear Editor:

The New Cove Entrance is something we have needed for a long time, thank you, but since when do we accept substandard work? I’ve been a State Certified General Contractor for 30 years, and I want to know, who are the ones setting the standards for “Quality Control” of our construction?

It has happened again at the beach, elevations of the columns and their metal roofs, and now the stucco job on our New Cove Entrance building – it is so thin, you will see the joints after it’s painted, for what, maybe $75? It needs to be fixed, now, before the roofing is applied.

As a 50-year resident of this city, I should be proud of my city, not embarrassed by the quality of workmanship our leaders are allowing. I, and others, have paid good taxes and have accepted your raises of our taxes, and duly feel, as a “tax paying citizen,” we deserve better.

Scott E. Martin,

Deerfield Beach

Will paint cover this up?

Impressed by Allen West

Dear Editor:

How I envy many of you reading this today. A number of you live in the Congressional district [District 22] represented by [Lt.] Col. Allen West. You truly have in office a rare commodity. U.S. Representative West is a man of intellect, honor, loyalty and dedication. I wish he were my congressman. Better yet, I wish he were to be the next President of the U.S.A. Some have approached Congressman West about running for the office of President, but he maintains he already has a job as your Congressman, and would never consider leaving the post you elected him to without your encouragement to do so.

Would you do that? Would you contact the Congressman, his offices in Washington D.C., Ft. Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach and tell him that you would release him to seek the office of President of the U.S.A? What a gift that would be! More than ever, we need the best. You have the best right now, and he is not seeking any other job. Sometimes, the best have to be sought out and encouraged to move up, to accept the challenges of a higher mission. In effect, the most highly qualified person must be drafted. West is that person who would always have the best interests of our nation and its citizenry at heart. Please encourage him to run. He is your Representative. West is best!

Creston D. Hall

Washougal, WA