Have you seen these articles? 

 

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/051707/opl_170362205.shtml

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/052307/met_172022771.shtml

 

I'm sharing these links with you - friends and colleagues - because I am concerned that, while the idea of property tax relief sounds great, I wonder if we really understand what it means. 

 

For those of us who have lived in St. Johns County for the past several years, we've been energized by the positive growth of a county on the rise.  Chances are, you play a part in that growth. 

 

Just think:  Who would have imagined 10 years ago that St. Johns County would be elevated to first-tier status worthy of hosting The Players Tournament? What about our world class Libraries, Parks & Recreation Dept., HIstoric Properties, Beautiful Beaches, Schools in the top 10% of the State... this list goes on and on.  Certainly these would not have happened if we hadn't achieved the infrastructure and quality of life improvements that all of us enjoy today. 

 

This will likely change if one of the current versions of property tax reform is approved.  Basic services will be reduced including library access, services to vulnerable people, crime prevention initiatives, economic development efforts which help bring higher wage jobs to the community, and arts and culture which in St. Augustine & St. Johns County has successfully spurred downtown development, attracted tourists along with a host of other dynamic quality of life indicators.  This is because St. Johns is being asked to bear a much heavier burden than communities in South Florida.

 

The members of our St. Johns County Delegation need to hear from us right now so that they can harness our concerns and share them with the Governor and State legislators. If we do not speak up for ourselves, we will once again go to the back of the line while other Florida communities flourish in the phenomenal growth of our state.

 

The bottom of this page has contact information for the St. Johns Delegation and for Speaker of the House Mark Rubio and Governor Charlie Crist.  I am asking you to call these State leaders and to e-mail them with your simple message of concern.  That message might read or sound something like this:

 

"Hi.  I am calling to register my deep concern about property tax reform.  Cuts in our property taxes will irreparably harm the quality of life standards that we have worked so hard to implement in St. Johns County.  I am very concerned about the State's intrusion into local government and its capacity to meet the needs of our own citizens.  I do not favor tax reforms being proposed at this time, and I urge [legislator's name] to consider that St. Johns County's millage rate is already among the lowest in Florida. I am counting on this office to think creatively about solutions that will not diminish the quality of life of Northeast Florida."

 

When you call, you will almost certainly speak to a person.  Please remember to be firm, direct, clear and polite.  Ask them to repeat the main points of your message back to you.  Thank them for their time.  Hang up!

 

 

Charlie Crist, Governor, State of Florida420 East Jefferson Street

Tallahassee Phone:  850.487.0801            Tallahassee, Florida   32301 

 

Mark Rubio, Speaker of the House  e-mail:  marco.rubio@myfloridahouse.gov

Local Phone (Miami):  350.442.6911            Tallahassee Phone:  850.488.4092

 

St. Johns Delegation  (Delegates are in town now through June 11)

 

House of Representatives

 

Bill Proctor, District 20            e-mail:   william.proctor@myfloridahouse.gov

Local Phone:  904.823.2977              Tallahassee Phone:  850.488.2977

 

Don Davis, District 17                    e-mail:  don.davis@myfloridahouse.gov

Local Phone:  904.247.4040            Tallahassee Phone:  850.488.0001

 

Dick Kravitz, District 18                    e-mail:  dick.kravitz@myfloridahouse.gov

Local Phone:  904.213.3005            Tallahassee Phone:  850.488.1304

 

Senate

 

Tony Hill, District 1                      e-mail:  hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov

Local Phone:  904.924.1646            Tallahassee Phone:  850.487.5024

 

Stephen Wise, District 5             e-mail:  wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

Local Phone:  904.381.6000            Tallahassee Phone:  850.487.5027

 

Jim King, District 8                      e-mail:  king.james.web@flsenate.gov

Local Phone:  904.727.3600            Tallahassee Phone:  850.487.5030

 

 

If you'd like to write a letter detailing what these issues mean to you, you can get more contact information by going online to www.flca.net .  Click on the big A; in the next screen click on Advocacy and then scroll down to number 2 under section 1.  Select St. Johns, and everything you need will be right there!

 

This effort will take all of us working together!

Thank you for your advocacy!