Guest Column: Has anyone noticed it is an election year?

Pat Reilly
St Augustine, FL

I say we should have an election every year.  Just look at all the activity. It reminds me of what you see when you turn the jets on in a Jacuzzi; a whole lot of foam at the top, but when you turn if off, the bubbles disappear.

The question on everyone’s mind is what will happen when this election is over.  The answer depends on who we elect.

Many issues we have talked about for a long time are suddenly getting attention:

• congestion, traffic and parking are now a problem so we are now getting a plan (the parking and traffic committee did not meet from July of 2013 until July of this year)

• the bridge openings are part of the problem so a letter has been written

• taxpayers have been paying for tourists since we get little actual revenue from visitors so now we are increasing franchise fees, parking fees, parking fines and looking for other sources of revenue

• noise is an issue downtown so we are looking at our noise ordinance and outside amplified music

• there are all manner of little vehicles clogging the streets so we are suggesting new ordinances regulating these as well

• we have never had a five year capital plan, so this year it appeared

What has NOT gotten enough attention is:

• not everyone wants to spend another million dollars on the 450th or on a $78,000 a year consultant

• not everyone is pleased to see lots of City officials going to Spain every year on the taxpayers’ dime

• our 7.5 millage is one of the highest in the State and is the result of two tax rate hikes under the current Mayor’s leadership

• we want our streets fixed, our water clear and flooding addressed

• we enjoy our visitors, but we want some balance

• we want our tax money spent wisely

• we want elected officials who want to talk to all of us not just a few of their personal friends

• when we attend commission meetings, we want respect and to be shown that our opinions are valued