Final Thoughts

Many of the people living here have no idea what goes on except what happens in their gated communities. Unfortunately, many of them don’t even care. That is the shame of it.

Until something happens to affect them, people figure they can ignore what is happening outside their gates. If it doesn’t have something to do with their golf game or country club, it just doesn’t concern them. Politics, politicians, and local government are something for others to keep an eye on. Besides, many think they only live here half the year, and then they go back home.

How many of them will never consider this home? They take advantage of the income tax situation, register to vote here, and never learn about what is going on with local government. They retired and put their time in at the school board or city hall from where they came.

Right now, there is a threat to their way of life, and they don’t seem to care. The Martin County Taxpayers Association has done a deep dive into property taxes, and we have printed their study here in five installments. Installment 4 is this week’s one. The legislature once again believes they should starve local government of funds and expect them to continue operating. It sure sounds appealing not to pay property taxes but only a fool would think it is workable.

Public Safety in many local governments’ cases is more than all the ad valorum collected. Even a break-even in that category leaves no money for parks, public works, or other functions. What looks like a panacea will quickly turn into a nightmare.

And don’t believe that it will all be made up by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. Where have we heard that before? Unlike the federal budget, local government is not allowed to run deficits. Income and expenses must balance each year.

It is Easter Sunday. A time that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Passover is happening now for Jews commemorating their passage from Egyptian bondage. Judeo-Christian religions believe in civic life and taking a stand. It is time that many in Martin County join our common community to preserve the way of life and the reason they settled here…if only for 6 months a year.

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GET THE WORD OUT  

Friends and Neighbors of Martin County is your eyes and ears so that you know what is going on in Martin County’s municipal and county governments. I attempt to be informative and timely so that you may understand how your tax money is being spent. Though I go to the meetings and report back, I am no substitute for your attending meetings. Your elected officials should know what is on your mind.

Tom Campenni 772-341-7455 (c) Email: thomasfcampenni@gmail.com