What the other guy is doing...post from FaceBook on Delray Beach's assessment plan...

DELRAY BEACH RESIDENTS: A MUST READ ALERT


On January 17th the Commission listened as hundreds of residents came to City Hall to protest the proposed new tax on houses located in Delray Beach. Under the proposal, every house would be required to pay an assessment each year, based either on the square footage or a flat fee. The January 17th meeting saw one of the largest turnouts of residents from all neighborhoods in many years. After hearing comments from the public for a couple of hours, the Commission voted 3 to 1 not to proceed with the tax, but to seek other budget cuts to close a budget gap. 


However, on February 1st City Manager David Harden sent a memo to the Mayor and Commissioners stating, “It is the opinion of staff that those who spoke at the hearing do not represent the majority view of our community, but rather a minority of our citizens who adamantly oppose the assessment”. 


Dave Harden: Have you lost your mind? Have you taken leave of your senses? When the usual commission meeting attracts may be a dozen citizens at best, there were well over 150 in the chambers that night to speak out against this. The commissioners are always saying how hard it is to fight the apathy inherent in Delray Beach, and people always have the chance to come out and speak their mind on the issues. NEWSFLASH - they did.. they spoke out against this Mr. Harden, and you discount them as the minority? Really????


Who are the “staff” that came to the conclusion that hundreds in attendance from neighborhoods in the east to those in the west, both black and white, were not representative? 5 candidates for the Commission all spoke out against the proposal.


The fact is that Dave Harden put this city in a very tough position, more so, put the commissioners in a tough position to find a way to plug that 3.2 million dollar budget gap. Great timing in an election year where 2 commission seats are up for grabs.


Tonight, 6pm, the commission will hold a workshop at city Hall to discuss the tax...again. While citizens will not be able to speak at workshop, a large attendance may send a message... 


TUESDAY: City Commission Meeting - there WILL be public comments... And I encourage all of you to attend, 6pm at City Hall, to speak your mind, regardless of which stance you take. Make your voice heard... again.!