ANOTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL WITH A PRIVATE AGENDA: GEORGE BRUMMER, VICE MAYOR OF PALM AIRE

An Opinion By Jan Bergemann
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.

Published August 11, 2008

It is just amazing how some elected officials abuse their office to push their private agenda -- totally disregarding the welfare of their constituents.

The latest sad example: George Brummer, the Vice Mayor of Pompano Beach. Ignoring the bad economy and the writing on the wall that golf courses all over Florida go broke by the dozen -- he is pushing the creation of a Special Recreation Tax District that would burden the finances of the mostly retired citizens in that district even more.

The propaganda used to convince the voters to vote in favor of Brummer's pet project are laced with twisted facts and false promises. He plays down the danger of high special taxes once the special district is established. And what Brummer claims to be an insurance policy against further development is in fact a bail out program for golf course owners at the expense of owners living in the special district.

People have to understand that once the district is established they have to pay whatever the board of the special district decides. It will just be added to your property tax bill -- PERIOD.

All over Florida people living in special districts are cursing the day they moved into these districts, especially if "golf curses" are creating an additional burden. They are paying for the enjoyment of others, without having a say how their money is spent!

Don't we pay already high enough property taxes?

If you still don't see what's wrong with the picture, please just look at the folks who are pushing the issue and the way the more than $100,000 of so-called seed money was collected. The Florida CONDO ACT -- last I heard the law of this State -- disallows association fees being used for lobbying purposes. Meaning the people in charge violated Florida laws. What does that tell you about the people pushing this special taxing district?

In his propaganda article "Palm Aire Special Recreation District: Information For You" Brummer asks -- in bold letters: "WHY A RECREATION DISTRICT?" In his article Brummer beats around the bush and comes up with all kinds of smoke screens.

The real truth -- which Brummer can't tell you: Once you voted YES on this Special District he holds all the cards in his hands. Then you -- the constituent -- are only needed to pay the added bill on your annual property tax bill.

So, if you hate your finances, just vote YEA on the special district on August 26.

Otherwise, if you like to spend your own money, go and VOTE NO. A NO-VOTE is important for your finances, believe me! Don't believe the propaganda of a few so-called leaders with a special agenda.

THE DECISION IS YOURS:

HATE YOUR MONEY? VOTE YES!
LOVE YOUR MONEY? VOTE NO!

And the next time a politician with a personal agenda like George Brummer is up for election, do yourself a favor and vote for the opposing candidate. Nothing is worse than a politician with a self-serving agenda who doesn't care for the welfare of his constituents!

WHY BURDEN CITIZENS FOR OTHER FOLKS' ENJOYMENT?

Pompano sets vote on Palm Aire special recreation tax district