http://marconews.com/news/opinion/letters/marconews.com Stories: Lettersen-usopinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/28/letter-editor-roses-rabbits/I use the term roses to describe the myraid of tax increases, assessments, fees, etc. that have been developed by the Marco city staff, at the behest of the City Council. I recently saw very similar council e-mail responses to constituents that indicated they were; 1.) New kids on the block (only in office since March 2008) and 2.) Had not raised any taxes, fees, etc. yet! Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:08:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/28/letter-editor-roses-rabbits/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/28/letter-editor-increase-millage-rate-over-20-percen/I am sure that all other Marco Island residents have, like I, received their notice of proposed property taxes. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:08:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/28/letter-editor-increase-millage-rate-over-20-percen/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/28/letter-editor-dead-horse-alert/This letter is in response to Mr. Waldack’s letter to the editor. Mr. Waldack you continue to beat a dead horse. At the last council meeting there was a discussion concerning real estate taxes being paid to Collier County. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:07:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/28/letter-editor-dead-horse-alert/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/28/letter-editor-butt-out/In threatening a peaceful park-like gathering of musicians and those just enjoying the musical get together on a Collier County-owned piece of land under the Goodland Bridge, I would like to make a suggestion to Marco Island City Councilor Frank Ricker. Butt out! Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:07:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/28/letter-editor-butt-out/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/26/letter-editor-do-it-different/As the Sept. 2 rescheduled fire assessment and second budget meetings approach for our residents, I am appealing to our City Council to please cease your incredulous, irresponsible, spendthrift modus operandi. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:21:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/26/letter-editor-do-it-different/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/26/letter-editor-makes-sense-cents-me/For every $1,000 in Marco Island property taxes that is paid to the tax collector: A total of $890 is paid to the Collier County taxing districts, which include the Collier County Sheriff, the Collier County School Board, Collier County EMS, Collier County Board of County Commissioners, etc. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:20:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/26/letter-editor-makes-sense-cents-me/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/21/letter-editor-no-new-taxes/Dear Ted (Councilman Forcht); I must be away from Marco for about a month. Therefore, I won’t be attending any City Council meetings as much as I want to. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:52:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/21/letter-editor-no-new-taxes/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/21/letter-editor-whos-running-marco/While riding out the storm, I reviewed over 600 e-mails regarding city business since March of this year. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:52:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/21/letter-editor-whos-running-marco/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/21/letter-editor-get-back-work/I recently received a letter from the City of Marco Island explaining that the city is considering an annual assessment on property owners for fire protection services. To say that I was shocked at the audacity of those elected public officials that proposed this would be an understatement! Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:51:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/21/letter-editor-get-back-work/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/21/letter-editor-not-buying-big-oils-lies/Americans are being squeezed by high energy prices. And the oil companies are taking advantage to push their long term drilling agenda. For decades the oil companies have demanded access to the oil off our coasts and buried beneath our public, protected wild lands. Now, in the waning days of the Bush administration, they are making a last-chance land grab. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:40:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/21/letter-editor-not-buying-big-oils-lies/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/14/letter-editor-look-future/There has been considerable discussion of funding fire with an annual assessment rather than through ad valorem taxes as at present. Many sides to this question have been presented; however what to me is the most salient question has not been touched on! Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:58:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/14/letter-editor-look-future/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/14/letter-editor-caught-middle-record/In keeping with contemporary world events, City Councilor Charles Kiester deserves a gold medal for his world-class guest column: “Caught in the Middle.” Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:57:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/14/letter-editor-caught-middle-record/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/14/letter-editor-more-taxes-no-no-no/I am unable to attend the meeting Aug. 18 regarding the new and additional tax proposed by City Council. Marco fire and rescue services have been traditionally funded by property taxes paid by Marco Island taxpayers. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:57:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/14/letter-editor-more-taxes-no-no-no/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/12/letter-editor-understanding-cap/How about that “cap?” Would it be possible for a qualified expert, with no vested interest, to give us Marco citizens an unbiased explanation of how it works, who can change it and how it can or cannot be changed. They would then publish this data for all to see. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:30:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/12/letter-editor-understanding-cap/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/07/letter-editor-response-wayne-waldacks-letter-cap/As I have stated previously the cap was put into the charter to restrict spending from year to year. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:36:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/07/letter-editor-response-wayne-waldacks-letter-cap/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/07/letter-editor-we-need-right-priorities/I support the efforts of any individuals or associations to try to reduce our taxes and reduce expenditures. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:36:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/07/letter-editor-we-need-right-priorities/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/07/letter-editor-brains-and-commitment/ Any legislation requiring government funding should not be approved unless it is known where the necessary funds will come from or unless funds already exist to pay for a project promulgated by legislation. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:35:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/07/letter-editor-brains-and-commitment/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/05/letter-editor-no-one-our-side/To whom it may concern: Marco is a very small city. It has and is experiencing difficult economic times with the values of our homes falling and the price of goods and services rising. It is your responsibility to staff our government adequately and trim expenses. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:48:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/05/letter-editor-no-one-our-side/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/05/letter-editor-cap/The budget spending cap: With 10 years of history behind us, I have some questions regarding certain assumptions some have of the value of the budget spending cap. I understand to some that this issue is the mystical issue of Marco Island. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:48:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/05/letter-editor-cap/opinion/lettershttp://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/05/letter-editor-no-need-conserve/It is apparent that again true to our summertime budget meetings, the taxes and special assessments of the residents of Marco Island are in the hands of the elitist. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:48:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2008/aug/05/letter-editor-no-need-conserve/opinion/letters