2007 tax bills

The Hernando County Property Appraiser's office is mailing out the 2007 property tax bills today. If you just cannot wait for your mailman to take a peek, you can find them Online at the property appraiser's website located at http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/pa/propertysearch.asp

Eye of Newt

Please have a safe and Happy Halloween. Enjoy~

The Witches Caldron

"Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog"

"Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing"

"For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and babble"

"Double, double, toil and trouble,

Fire burn, and caldron bubble"

William Shakespeare

People have won

Governor Crist proudly announced the 'people have won' while celebrating the completion of the special session of the Florida Legislature. The Florida Legislature passed a clear, concise ballot question for property tax reduction that will be on the January Presidential Preference Primary.

This referendum will increase the homestead exemptions for all levies except school district levies, provides portability of Save Our Homes benefits, provides a $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property, and provides a 10% cap on non-homestead property. The Florida Legislature's ballot language could be called "an equal opportunity referendum for tax relief" for the citizens of this state. It is great to see that there were no provisions for special interest groups in this ballot language.

The Florida Legislature needs to be commended for their dedication and commitment to the citizens of this state. Hopefully, this referendum will pass with more than a 60% majority in January to provide equal tax relief statewide for Florida's property owners. The successful passing of this referendum would give a tremendous boost to Florida's economy by returning more of the people's money.

Thank you, Rep. Schenck and Senator(s) Fasano, Dockery, and Dean for a job well done!

Property Tax Reform

Property Tax Reform – SJR 2D and SB 4D

Allows portability of accumulated Save Our Homes (SOH) benefits for homeowners who move from one homestead to another.

Homeowners may transfer their SOH benefit to a new homestead anywhere in Florida within 2 years of leaving their former homesteads.

Those who sold their homes in 2007 can transfer their SOH benefit to a new homestead if they establish the new homestead by January 1, 2009.

If “upsizing” to a home of equal or greater just value, the homestead owner can transfer 100% of the SOH benefit to the new homestead, up to a $500,000 transferred benefit.

If “downsizing” to a home with a lower just value, the homestead owner can transfer a SOH benefit that protects the same percentage of value as it did the former homestead, up to a $500,000 benefit.

The transferred SOH benefit will apply to school taxes on the new homestead. Previous versions of SJR 2D exempted school tax levies from the transferred benefit.


Creates an additional homestead exemption worth $25,000, applied to value above $50,000.

This exemption does not apply to school tax levies.


Provides an assessment growth limitation of 10% for all non-homestead properties.

This assessment limitation does not apply to school tax levies.

The assessment limitation will expire in 10 years. At that time, voters will decide whether to reauthorize it.

Residential properties of nine units or less will surrender accumulated protections at change of ownership or control, as defined by general law.

For all other properties (i.e., residential properties of ten or more units and business properties), the Legislature must define by general law how the property will surrender protections when there is a “qualifying improvement” to the property. The Legislature may define by general law how the property will surrender accumulated protections at a change of ownership or control.


Creates a new Tangible Personal Property Exemption of $25,000.

This exemption applies to all tax levies.


Requires an annual appropriation to fiscally constrained counties to offset revenue reductions that result from the constitutional amendment (contained in SB 4D).


Tax reduction over the next four years:

$8.746 billion total

$6.887 billion for non-school levies

$1.859 billion for school levies


Updated as of October 29, 2007–FINAL PASSAGE

Aviation Branch Post Office dedication

This morning, I received this notice from Shirley Anderson, district director for Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite:

Please Join
Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite

U.S. Post Office Dedication
In Honor of

SGT. LEA MILLS
July 1, 1984 – April 28, 2006
U.S. Marine Corps
Killed in Action
Al Anbar Province, Iraq

Friday, November 9, 2007
10:00 A.M.

Aviation Branch Post Office
16150 Aviation Loop Drive
Brooksville, Florida 34604

Flag-folding ceremony

In case you have not heard, the National Cemetery Association has made a decision to ban flag-folding recitations by VA employees and volunteers at all 125 national cemeteries all because of one complaint about a ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery in California that included a reference to God.

Lloyd Reese, civil rights attorney and director of the California Defense of Veterans Memorials Project, stated that his group are outraged by this ban. Mr. Reese is also a member of the 16 member detail that has performed more that 1,400 services for those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Mr. Reese was quoted as saying, "We will defy this ban, pure and simple," he states. "If the families ask us to recite the flag-folding ceremony, we will abide by the wishes of the family -- not [by the wishes of] some bureaucrat sitting in an air-conditioned office in Washington, DC, or some lawyer wearing a diaper back there whose main mission in life is to protect his own behind instead of standing up for the American people and saying enough is enough."

Last week, the veterans issue was to remove the photographs of currently serving military personnel from a post office wall and this decision was quickly reversed by the Postmaster General. Hopefully, the National Cemetery Association will immediately reverse this decision as well...

Inner peace...

One word can be used to describe the final column by Robert Nolte in this morning's edition of the Hernando Today and the word is abrasive. Hopefully, Mr. Nolte will find some inner peace and enjoyment in his retirement in Billings, Montana.

Campaign fodder

Commissioner Jeff Stabins was right when he said the request from Commissioner Kingsley to discuss Garth Coller's $3,600 a year gas allowance was a non-story and non-issue. If Mr. Coller had a county vehicle assigned to him it would cost a lot more than $300 month when you factor in the cost of the vehicle, insurance, and the cost of fuel, with related upkeep to maintain the car.

If Commissioner Kingsley felt so strongly about this gas allowance then he should have voted Nay in 2001 when the commissioners voted to include it into Mr. Coller's contract. Mr. Kingsley is now using the excuse that he went along with the majority in 2001 to avoid causing disunity and to make sure the county had an attorney on board. The only logical reason for Mr. Kingsley bringing up this fuel allowance now is because Janey Baldwin has publicly criticized Mr. Coller's employment contract, stating it is "one long perk". Hopefully Mr. Kingsley is not going to use Mr. Coller is a game of gotcha just to eliminate any campaign fodder being stirred up by his former opponent, Ms. Baldwin.

Fantasy

After reading the editorial column in the Hernando Today this morning titled, "Windfall should have gone to taxpayers" I scratched my head wondering if the author even read his piece before the paper went to press. If the author of article had understood basic accounting principals then they would have been able to comprehend the fact that these funds, at an estimated rate, were already included in the final budget reductions by the county commissioners. Instead of congratulating Juanita Sikes, Karen Nicolai and Alvin Mazourek for the prudent use of taxpayer funds to run their offices, this article babbled on stating the county commissioners could have axed more fat from the budget.

A quote from fiction author, David Ebbings really sums up the climate this newspaper has attempted to create in our county over the last several months, and it reads: "If the general opinion is pessimistic, fantasy is going to hold its own".

SBA

Tomorrow, Congresswoman Ginny Brown Waite will present an amendment to H.R. 3867, the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act. This amendment will work to ensure that only qualified applicants will be eligible to receive Small Business Administration loans. The amendment is designed to have ICE work with the SBA so only those individuals who are lawfully in the United States will receive loan and grants.

Congresswoman Brown-Waite stated, “America is the land of opportunity and small business owners make up the backbone of our economy,” said Rep. Brown-Waite. “However, Congress cannot continue to encourage and foster small businesses in our nation if we do not first take care of American citizens and those who are here legally. My simple amendment will ensure that Small Business loans and grants are going to those who followed the immigration rules we have in place.”

Dedication to veterans

Please make sure you mark November 10th & 11th on your calendar for some major events taking place in downtown Brooksville to thank our local veterans.

On Saturday, November 10th, the Veterans Appreciation Parade will kick off the weekend with a 10 a.m. start time for the parade which will be followed by a concert on the court house steps by the Hernando County Youth Sympathy Orchestra. A traveling 100' WWII exhibit from the Florida Museum of Tallahassee will be on display in the atrium of the county building from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Bandshell Bash will present Cab Calloway as their feature act at 4 p.m. Cab Calloway is the grandson of the late, great Calloway of the 1940's Swing Era music. A classic car show will also take place next to the band shell along and several food vendors for the crowd.

On Sunday, November 11th the Joint Veterans Commission will be conducting a ceremony to veterans at 11 a.m. at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. In the afternoon, the non-profit group, Love Your Neighbor, Inc. is hosting a turkey dinner for homeless veterans at the American Legion, Post 99 on Ft. Dade Avenue in Brooksville.

Here's a preview of the line-up of the Veterans Appreciation Parade, to date.

· Hernando High School Band
· JROTC units from Springstead, Hernando & Central High Schools
· American Legion, Post 99
· Operation Pride
· Hernando Sportsman Club / Military Vehicles
· Hernando County Sheriff's Honor Guard
· Joint Veterans Commission / Florida National Cemetery / Bushnell
· Knights of Columbus
· Cub Scout Pack 443
· Young Marines / Marine Corp League 708
· Representative for Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite
· Rep. Robert Schenck
· Commissioner Stabins
· Commissioner Rocco
· Judge Stephen Rushing & wife Mia
· Weekee Wachee Mermaids
· Home Schoolers
· "Saluting Military & Veterans Float" /Bay Pines Veteran volunteers
· Horse Riders
· Members of DAV Tampa-
· Ye Mystic Air Krewe / Tampa
· Jenenne Norman-Vacha (city manager) & veteran husband
· Hernando County Fire Rescue
· Women’s Army Corp / Chapter 97
· Moose Lodge

**Hernando County Fine Arts Council is the proud sponsor of the Veterans Appreciation Parade, the Hernando County Youth Sympathy Orchestra event and the Bandshell Bash.

Aesop's Fable

This morning, the local newspaper reported that Jon "Jaz" Zydenbos, a republican from Weekee Wachee had thrown his hat into the ring to run against Jeff Stabins for the district 1 , county commission seat for the 2008. Is anyone wondering who Mr. Zydenbos is and why he has this quest to be our next county commissioner for district 1? Some may recall his recent letter to the editor of the Hernando Today which was published on September 27, 2007 which may give some insight on his aspiration for public office. In this letter, Mr. Zybenbos blames the county government for down turn in our economy, citing their inability to lower Ad Valorem during the building boom over the past few years.

Here are several quotes directly from Mr. Zybenbos' September 27th letter: Between 2003 through 2005, home prices virtually doubled and so did our new home owner's taxes. County commissioners just looked the other way and allowed county departments to pick the new homeowners' pockets clean every way possible. The commissioners cannot accept responsibility that they killed our economy. They ignore that Realtors, builders and their end customers have been crushed due to overspending and high taxes. Every business in this county is suffering because the housing industry has died. Depressed home sales is a statewide phenomenon and somewhat of a national problem. But it does go back to the function of all politicians to spend tax money as soon as possible during windfalls, such as our value spike from the past few years.

Did Hernando County government spend way to much during the building boom? The answer is yes they did but local government is not the entire culprit relating to the down turn in our economy. Personal responsibility should have been a large portion of Mr. Zydendos' equation when he described the slow down in home sales and building trades.

Mr. Zydenbos' letter completely ignored the fact that Ad Valorem rose dramatically on homes sales, due in part, to the hyper-inflated prices imposed by realtors, mortgage brokers and house flippers. No one questioned the motives of these realtors, home builders and mortgage brokers during their peak sales period of 2002 to 2005 in our supply and demand based economy. Has the unemployment rate gone up in the housing industry? The answer is yes it has but this is a natural trend in business flow from the housing market finally reaching its peak. All business should be prepared for changes in the economy, in the good times and the bad times. Yes, the government plays a part in the economy but not to the extent that Mr. Zydendos would have everyone believe in Hernando County. His opinion is such that the government destroyed the entire economy alleviating himself from any personal responsibility in that equation. Aesop's Fable, the "Grasshopper and the Ant" would best describe some of the realtors, builders and mortgage brokers in our community during the building boom. Maybe they should have saved for that rainy day when they were at the top of their bubble.

One last point in Mr. Zydenbos mentioned in his letter was the high rate of foreclosures. Is this an unfortunate situation for any homeowner? Yes, it is but this too falls under the category of personal responsibility to manage your finances. Were some first time homeowners duped by unscrupulous realtors, builders and mortgage brokers? The answer is yes but the entire blame still cannot be laid at the door of these businesses. In 2002, the Florida Legislature mandated that the "Truth in Lending" statement every home buyer signs at closing include the projected Ad Valorem taxes on their new property. The government listened to the people to include this legislation to protect home buyers from the sticker shock of a high Ad Valorem rate after their purchase. The local government also passed the largest reduction in Ad Valorem taxes in Hernando County. Now it is time for these realtors, builders and mortgage brokers to step up to the plate by accepting some personal responsibility for the situation they are in today.

The real truth about SCHIP

This morning, I received this important email from Ginny Brown-Waite's Washington office. This information was provided by Charlie Keller, Communications Director for our Congresswoman.

Please see the attached Letter to the Editor of the Palm Beach Post about the SCHIP re authorization legislation currently being debated in Congress. This letter, signed by Florida Representatives Ginny Brown-Waite, Tom Feeney and Jeff Miller, is in direct response to the inaccurate editorial that appeared in today’s Palm Beach Post.

For background, please see the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office report detailing the costs to American taxpayers for allowing illegal immigrants access to SCHIP benefits intended for low-income children. If you look at page 2 of the CBO report, line 211 is the $3.7 billion for illegal immigrants that come from federal funds. In order for states to implement the SCHIP programs, however, they are required to put up front state matching money to receive the federal funds. So if you do the math, you come up with a required $2.8 billion state amount that goes to illegal immigrants. That totals $6.5 billion for illegal immigrants, funds that come at the expense of low-income American children. The Social Security Administration has also sent a letter to Ways and Means Ranking Member Jim McCrery explaining that Social Security numbers are not adequate to verify the citizenship status of SCHIP applicants.

Vocational needs

Yesterday, the Hernando County School Board took a bold step at their workshop to discuss vocational needs that appear to be inadequate in our county. After listening to the presentation by the superintendent, Wayne Alexander and several businessman from the community, the School Board agreed to reconvene at a later date to choose a task force board of local community members and local business to plan future vocational programs for Hernando County.

My husband, Tony attended this workshop and was impressed by the change of heart of this school board has concerning the need for additional vocational programs in our county. He spoke highly of school superintendent, Wayne Alexander's presentation to increase the vocational programs into our local school system.

Nature Coast High School principal, Tizzy Schoelles stated that trades like heating and air conditioning and electrical were not considered high-skilled, high-wage jobs from the state's priority list. While I don't dispute the information she obtained from the state, I do question the state's data. The state of Florida needs to take a serious look at updating their data about current trends in building and trade services to understand that our industry cannot employ under educated individuals and survive as a viable business. For example, contractors in the electrical trade are faced daily in their business climate with the needs of improved technology to be competitive which requires a high degree of math and computer skills in today's market. The pay scale for construction and trade serves has risen dramatically in the last 10 years, with many of us making in the six figures which sure isn't chump change.

The Hernando County School Board and Mr. Wayne Alexander need to be commended for their forward thinking approach to correct the oversight of the previous school administration that completely overlooked the need for vocational programs in our community.

Clear perspective

While I fully respect the informational finding of the Florida Elections Commission relating to the term "issue", I do believe my initial complaint has given the public a clear perspective of the key players in this organization. It has been apparent that this has been political from the beginning, and it will be interesting to see if the chairwoman of the HCREC continues with the movement to oust Commissioner Jeff Stabins, an incumbent republican, and candidate for re-election.

Saddened to read...

I was saddened to read about the passing of Grace Tadlock in yesterday's St. Petersburg Times. Grace touched many people and she will be missed in Hernando County. My prayers are with her family at this most difficult time.

A hoot!

Did everyone see the editorial cartoon in this morning's Hernando Today? I'm glad to see the staff of the paper has finally lightened up a little from their usual gloom and doom reporting with a little levity. Even though the cartoonist incorrectly spelled my name, it was still a hoot!

Family friendly fun...

Put on your dancing shoes and come on out for this Saturday's Bandshell Bash in downtown Brooksville. The fun starts at 4 p.m at the Bandshell on Ft. Dade by the post office. 'In 2 Rhythm' and 'The Soulman' will perform as warm-up acts for the headliner group called 'Mighty Tight Whities'. Bring your lawn chairs and come early to get a good seat on the lawn to hear these spectacular acts the Bandshell Bash committee has booked for your entertainment. This Bandshell Bash event is always family friendly and free to the public.

Primary concerns...

In spite of the predictions of unruly behavior, the Brooksville Housing Authority's meeting this week was very productive and positive from a community stand point. The Auditor and Financial Representative praised Mr. Ronnie McLean for his efforts to turn the Brooksville Housing Authority around after the last two years of turmoil under the previous director. The Auditor expressed appreciation to Mr. McLean for his efforts to clear up previous discrepancies left by the past administration. The audit period discussed at the meeting was from December 2005 to December 2006. A frank discussion with the auditor took place on the Mr. McLean's efforts to locate some missing documents and checks from January 2007 to May 2007.

Some rancor was still present from one board member, with Mr. Douglas' motion to set a termination hearing for Mr. McLean but this motion failed after a vote by the board. The Brooksville Housing Board then decided to set up a personnel board for any future employment disputes on advice from their lawyer. Jeanette Soto, who nominated as the chair of this committee, will be responsible for the orderly review of all employment disputes of the Brooksville Housing Board in the future.

After years of neglect, it looks like the new project manager, Jay Rowden has taken the bull by the horns to help the residents of this overlooked housing authority. Mr. Rowden gave a presentation at last night's meeting on his recent work throughout the housing board properties over the last month. The project manager who showed the Brooksville Housing Authority a bucket full of clay/calcium/lime build-up he had taken from one water heater that had been neglected many years as an example of the problems these residents face on a daily basis. A PowerPoint presentation was then given on the foundation which is cracking on some of the housing units and suggestions for remedial actions were given to the board.

The final order of business for the Brooksville Housing Authority was to officially change the monthly meeting day to the second Tuesday of the month since their original date conflicted with holiday schedules on Monday. It is really a good to see that the majority of these new members of the Brooksville Housing Authority are focused on their primary concern of providing affordable, safe housing to the resident of Brooksville.

106.011

The 2007 Florida Statutes
ELECTORS AND ELECTIONS
CAMPAIGN FINANCING

106.011 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1)(a) "Political committee" means:
1. A combination of two or more individuals, or a person other than an individual, that, in an aggregate amount in excess of $500 during a single calendar year:
a. Accepts contributions for the purpose of making contributions to any candidate, political committee, committee of continuous existence, or political party;
b. Accepts contributions for the purpose of expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or the passage or defeat of an issue;
c. Makes expenditures that expressly advocate the election or defeat of a candidate or the passage or defeat of an issue; or
d. Makes contributions to a common fund, other than a joint checking account between spouses, from which contributions are made to any candidate, political committee, committee of continuous existence, or political party;

Veterans Parade

The Hernando County Fine Arts Council proudly presents


2007 Veterans Appreciation Parade

Saturday
November 10, 2007
at 10 a.m.

Bring your flags, your children & your neighbors
to show support for our men & women of our military, past & present.

Participation in this patriotic event will proudly salute our local
Veterans for their valiant service to our Nation!

Everyone is encouraged to walk with our veterans to express thanks for their
heroic deeds. Please take a few minutes out of your day to express your
patriotism during this very crucial time in our country's history.

Parade line-up starts at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot behind
Brooksville City Hall, located at 201 Howell Avenue in downtown Brooksville.
(plenty of parking available in adjacent lot on Orange Avenue)

"God Bless America"

Please contact Anna Liisa Covell / Parade Coordinator

(although registration is not required to participate, your RSVP would be appreciated)

The groups that have confirmed participation so far for this year's parade are the Hernando High School Band, the JROTC units from Central, Springstead and Hernando High, Operation Pride with Pete & Commission Rose Rocco, Cub Scout Pack 443, American Legion/Post 99, Hernando Sportsman Club's restored military vehicles, and Commissioner Jeff Stabins, Judge Stephen Rushing and his wife Mia.

Blazin' Butts-n-Brisket

The 2nd Annual BBQ Competition, called Blazin' Butts-n-Brisket, will take place on Saturday, October 20, 2007. This event will take place in Tom Varn Park from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Local backyard teams will be competing for Ribbons and Bragging Rights! Professional cook teams from throughout the southeast will be there competing and you will be able to try some of their award winning BBQ. Come on out and see the monster trucks on display and enjoy the live entertainment. Admissions is free to the public.