Demand a referendum
To the editor:
The following is a transcript of my public comment to Town Council on Jan 3, 2011:
Instead of debating the merits of the Library expansion, I would like to address the process.
To put the library expansion initial expenditure in perspective, I refer to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners debate last year of the Red Sox stadium for $75 million. Our $9 million proposed library expansion per capita is 10 times greater, with no supplemental income to support ongoing maintenance costs.
The new beach library website frequently ask questions section projects that twice the square footage will increase operating costs between 6 perfect and 11 perfect.
As an Internal Revenue Service Enrolled Agent, I am certified by the U.S. Treasury Dept. as a tax expert and qualified to represent clients in Federal Tax Court. In my experience in preparing thousands of tax returns for individuals, businesses, partnerships and corporations, my professional opinion is that this projection of operating expenses is absurd, irresponsible and virtually impossible.
This week I have reviewed hundreds of properties on Fort Myers Beach and found that in the past 4 years many have seen their values decrease by more than 50 percent and none I reviewed have increase in value. According to the News-Press, library board president Katie Corning contends overwhelming public support based on a 2006 survey. However, library staff could not locate the survey. Even if they could, it would be considered outdated and obsolete in light of dynamic economic conditions.
In a Dec. 17, 2010 email, library board president Katie Corning says “I don’t think we need the delay and expense of running a referendum to tell us what we already know”. I reject her assumption.
In an open letter published in the Island Sandpaper and The Observer, the Fort Myers Beach Civic Association heartily supports the Beach Library’s expansion and to the few folks currently engaged in a letter writing campaign we can only say “where have you been?” in criticism of the pleas for a referendum that cite taxation without representation.
I can only speak for myself. I read my tax bill very carefully, and was unaware of the expansion until about a month ago. All I’ve ever seen is a 3′ x 3′ sign next to the library with a thermometer that looked like a United Way campaign. This Civic Association letter was signed by Dennis Boback – former mayor, Sandi Suter, Pat Smith, Dean Southworth, Lorrie Wolfe, Frank Schilling, Betty Simpson, Lee Melsak and Tom Cameron. This is in complete contradiction to their website banner “The mission of the Fort Myers Beach Civic Association is to inform, survey, and to defend the collective interests of the residents of Fort Myers Beach”. Our civic association has betrayed the public and obviously dismisses our protest of taxation without representation, clearly denouncing the democratic process.
Even more serious, the library board conducted a meeting on Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m. interviewing Kraft Construction regarding a bid. It was not posted on the website consistent with other meetings. I found out 30 minutes prior to the meeting, called the library to inquire about the location and permission to attend. I was told by a library employee the meeting was happening, but I was not allowed to attend. I believe this to be a clear violation of the Sunshine Law.
This entire process has been corrupt and includes lack of sunshine, unbelievable statistics, extremely limited public awareness or approval, faulty morality and possible civil and criminal wrongdoing. Concerns now emerge regarding Florida Statutes Chapter 189 disclosure and reporting requirements for a taxing district. These are being looked into by our town attorney. Anything less than 100 percent timely compliance should compel town council to use all it’s power to cease and desist the construction, freeze all associated funds and pursue prosecution of any violations both jointly and severally to the full extent of the law.
The Oxford dictionary defines as follows: “the misappropriation of money placed in one’s trust or under one’s control” as embezzlement. This is not petty cash to buy office supplies; this is $9 million of our hard earned taxpayer money. Once again, 10 times more expensive than the new Red Sox stadium per capita.
In yesterdays News-Press Commissioner Frank Mann stated “We can’t go another year eating into our reserves, that’s going to leave us on the verge of bankruptcy”. In an analogy, catastrophic failure of our water system could leave most of this island condemned and the future dim.
The survey that should be conducted should address the language of a referendum in case of defeat regarding the monies already collected deciding whether to refund taxpayers or apply to future library expenses. I, like many others that are opposed to the expansion, encourage a healthy debate and are willing to go along with the will of the voters as decided by referendum. Why are the library board members so adamantly against democracy?
And what about the children? Since most of us probably won’t be here 25 years from now, why should they inherit the expense and burden of a library that was forcibly railroaded by 7 mostly unelected board members that refused to solicit the public consent of our 7,000 citizens. Construction of this expansion without voter approval will set a pathetic example of ignorance of the law and voters rights with regard to taxation without representation.
DEMAND A REFERENDUM !!!
Sam Lurie
Fort Myers Beach