It’s time to vote these people out of office!
To the editor:
Cape Coral City Council -Ruining the dream. Most of us wait our whole lives, work, save money, sacrifice, bring our savings here to Florida, to buy homes and condos to enjoy life at our pace and what did we discover? Did we all move here to support a city of mismanagement, managerial incompetence, extravagance, and growing budgets? Lifetime pensions, bonuses, retro-active pay raises, and health care after 20 years of service? Is this a municipality, or a Fortune 500 company? Extraordinary and unaffordable legacy costs for the taxpayer now, and more seriously, in the future!!
What does the new 7 percent tax on your electric bill cost you, not to mention the Cape Coral franchise fee? What do you think it costs Publix, Home Depot, Lowes, and our small business owners? Guess who pays that? Don’t forget your telephone land line and cellular Cape Coral tax!
What about your water/sewer bill? If you do not use a drop of water, you pay a $37 bill, or should I say tax! How many of you seasonal condo/home owners appreciate that when you are not even here to turn on the tap? And this city does not forget you at the gas pump either -another 6 cents/gal. to Cape Coral!
And let us not forget, the newest of new taxes, the Fire Assessment Tax! What? That’s right, an additional tax on vacant, undeveloped land, as well as your home!
And now there are serious discussions about the city taking over the electric service from LCEC! Please! Who in this city government has the expertise and experience in managing an electric utility? NO ONE!
And rest assured, taxpayers, especially you snow birds, the frugal City of Cape Coral is keeping your employees in shape by paying for full gym memberships for city employees with your tax dollars!
The property taxes that we have paid for our whole lives, wherever we are from, are for police, fire, local roads and streets and schools, and if managed properly that should be enough! We expect to support City employees and the work that they do, and pay for needed expenses. Yet, do to unqualified, irresponsible leadership that is not enough. This council seems to be oblivious to the expense side of the ledger and refuses to lead and make the tough decisions -just increase taxes and raise more revenue. What an easy job that must be!
Geary A. Quinn
Cape Coral
Editor’s note: The City’s Wellness Program, funded by Florida Blue and United Health Care (Fire) on a calendar year basis, provides up to $20 per month credit toward gym memberships provided employees visit the gym at least eight times per month. Memberships are only fully funded if the rate is $20 per month or less.