Longboat Key Letters to the Editor 2.24.16

Residents with underground utilities shouldn’t pay

The sample ballots for the March 15, 2016 election have been posted on the town’s website.

The sample ballot includes language for the approval of revenue bond/notes to finance remaining undergrounding utilities/street lighting.

Nowhere does it state who and how much each property owner would pay.

It is silent to the discussion that those property owners who have underground utilities will pay 18% of the project! In fact, if approved, I believe the commission can impose any formula it so desires.

Why should those residents who already have underground utilities contribute to this funding? What is the economic benefit?

Why should those residents with underground utilities have a vote to impose additional taxes on those communities that might not want to incur this additional tax?

Why should those residents who don't have underground utilities have the opportunity to vote to impose this contribution on residents who already have underground utilities?

The Bayou Homeowners Association asked its residents their opinion on this referendum; 90% of respondents opposed it.

I would urge all registered voters to oppose this referendum.

Ray Rajewski
Longboat Key

Jaleski is no champion of the people

“A Champion of The People” does not routinely waste town staff time and cost taxpayers legal fees because of his continual frivolous complaints and phone calls and demands of staff time. 

It is about time someone stood up for the rest of us who have watched Gene Jaleski waste our money with his screams for attention and the need for law enforcement at commission meetings due to his lack of civility.

B.J. Webb Bishop
Longboat Key