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Winter Springs' folly

August 15, 2005

Winter Springs City Manager Ron McLemore's comment, "I don't think you'll see the commission do anything crazy," is absolutely pitiful ("Taxes going up -- but maybe not that much," Thursday).   The City Commission, with McLemore's assistance, has already done something crazy.

The proof is the commission playing folly with its citizens on the proposed 8 mill tax rate, and then saying it was done tongue in cheek.   Citizens should take great pride in knowing their elected officials picked a tax-mill rate out of the blue under the guidance of one of the most highly compensated city managers in Central Florida.   Clearly, big-ticket spending is on Winter Springs' horizon -- like the town-center parking garage.   Why is the increased tax-revenue stream resulting from the hot and appreciating local housing market not going to be enough to cover citizens' needs and City Hall's wants?

Commissioners and the manager must stop chanting the town-center mantra "if you build it, they will come" to justify its blue-sky method of tax-rate setting, and start making educated decisions knowing they affect real people.

Sadly, the Winter Springs commission and its manager obviously have no shame or sincerity when it comes to being honest with taxpayers.

Helga Schwarz

Winter springs

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