When Does NO Mean NO?
The slight response to the expensive beach re-nourishment mailing by the Town to property owners speaks for itself. The facts have been presented and the property owners recognize that the huge perpetual cost to all taxpayers is not justified. There is no storm protection in a major storm, FEMA coverage is not dependent upon our participation (Category B), and the supposed recreation benefit will not exist when the sand washes back away as all the CORPS projects have.
When will the Town respect the voice of the people? If a property owner returned a NO response, they are going to contact them yet again to find out why! If you tried to avoid that by not responding, they want to track you down to find out why. This is no longer an issue of educating the public, but has descended to the point of resembling an aggressive prom date who won’t take NO for an answer. When will the Town show respect for a person’s right to say no?
Further indication of the lack of respect for the individual property owner is evidenced by the fact that those who have rescinded their easements are months later awaiting the removal of the easement attached to their property deed.
According to Town staff this week, the percentage stands at 46 percent, of which 14 percent is County or Town controlled land. Of the twenty returned responses from the costly mailing, 3 were positive and 17 were negative. The Town spent more of our limited funds to find that out. Enough is enough.
Let’s get on with the budget process and the efficient use of the hard-earned money that we pay in taxes and entrust our Town officials to use wisely on our behalf. Put the $1,000,000 back in the Town account and get to work on issues that are supported by the residents and taxpayers who are the true employers of the Town Council and Town staff.
Joanne Shamp
Fort Myers Beach