User profile: MarthaSimons
Joined: Jan. 14, 2006
Comments posted: 375
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Comments by MarthaSimons
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Posted on October 8 at 11:09 a.m.
It's almost impossible for illegals to register to vote in Florida.
All registration applications must have either a FL ID number, FL Driver's license number or if these haven't been issued, the last four digits of the person's Social Security number. In the past these have been run through database checks.
What's more likely is that eligible voters are denied their right to vote. If a person has been issued a Florida Drivers license or a FL ID and they write down only the 4 numbers from their Social Security number, I understand that those registrations have been bounced out and denied this year.
On 1,200 voters rush to meet registration deadline in Collier
Posted on September 26 at 8:45 a.m.
The lady did the right thing for whatever reason she did it. Good for her. She can rest at night with a good conscience and without her bank robbing boyfriend.
Posted on September 24 at 9:40 a.m.
"For a home with a taxable value of $200,000, the city tax bill would be $165.46"
That is if there is no homestead exemption. Most residents don't pay at this rate. Even so, because values went down, we will pay less.
Properties that will pay more are those that lost their agricultural or homestead exemption and those that were rezoned to a more valuable zoning last year. Right?
Thought for the future. When foreclosed homes are sold, though their values will probably be reduced, their taxes might increase because in resale the house loses the 3% homestead cap and the new buyer if they homestead will start anew. If the house becomes a rental, it will not have a homestead cap.
On Property tax rate going up for first time in Bonita history
Posted on September 24 at 9:08 a.m.
Someguy makes an excellnt point . I looked at my Trim notices
What I saw on my homesteaded property was an over all reduction in the taxes I will pay in dollars;
My Bonita city taxes went down
My county taxes went down
My school taxes went up ( additional $25,000 exemption did not apply) The local school taxes went down and the state school taxes went up.
Bonita Fire District went up
I saw a new tax by SFWMD. the water management district though it was there were sizable reductions in the the other SFWMD taxes. Overall SFWMD taxes went down.
I am paying more to fight mosquitos and hyacinths.
On my non homesteaded lot next to my house, I will pay less to fight mosquitos and hyacinths but all of the other comments above applied. Over all the tax dollars I will pay this year will be about $500 less. The most savings is on my property without the SOH exemption.
Look at your Trim notice online at www.Leepa.org and go to database searches in the scroll on the left side of the page then click on real datatabase search, agree to the terms of the website and you will get to the search page.Type in the name on your property title. On the next page you click on 2008 Trim notice.
On Property tax rate going up for first time in Bonita history
Posted on September 18 at 8:55 a.m.
There was what a coyote could consider a tasty morsel- a green iguana, living on the dock at Depot Park. Maybe this is the answer to our green iguana problem.
I have had bobcats and fox in my yard and I live about 2 blocks from City Hall on BBR. Since we live on the edge of the Everglades we are going to have wild animals wandering in and out of urban areas. Bears have been reported off of East Terry. Bobcats out by the beach.
I dont think people need to be frightened. Just don't wander in the park at night when it is closed. These animals are more afraid of us then we are of them.
Posted on September 16 at 10:35 p.m.
Naples Tango,
I believe the reporter misunderstood what was done concerning historic designation. We only removed the section that said it was voluntary designation. WE did not give council authority to designate. The change now says nothing about how a property is designated.
Yes this does open the door but the way it was, closed the door to any grant funding for voluntary historic projects.
I am not interested in stepping on anyones property rights. The problem is that state rules don;t allow a city to apply for funding if the only process for designation is voluntary..
Lee County has only used their authority to designate once in 123 years, and that for the purpose to get funding.
Posted on September 16 at 7:54 p.m.
Since housing is in the tank, we dont need to loose another revenue stream in our local economy.
Keep spring training in Lee County.
On Spring training future may hinge on local architect’s designs for new Red Sox stadium
Posted on September 13 at 12:21 p.m.
Hi Volochine,
Traditionally , government is the last to be paid on foreclosures.
Ron,
I have been investigating ways to get properties that are in "pre-foreclosure" cited but since the property title is in transition it is questionable who will clean it up or pay. I have had staff look at one city in California, Chula Vista. Their Code Enforcement charges banks that file for foreclosure a fee upon filing and requires they to register a property manager for each property. Fines are very steep for violations and charged to the bank. In Bonita some banks are billing back property maintenance and lot mow orders to local real estate companies. If a real estate company has to carry the burden of the maintenance until the house sells or it is auctioned, maybe as long as 18 months, this could break the back of local agents. Agents who are often residents of our city are having a very difficult time as it is . As I understand there needs to be some state legislation passed if we want to implement such a plan.
Posted on September 4 at 9:57 a.m.
This will give judges a tool during bail considerations possibly preventing future crimes. Crime prevention saves dollars for the community.
Here is a leader who solves problems that affect all of us. He won't mollycoddle known criminals.
On Biden’s criminal database bill draws interest from Lee authorities
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Posted on October 9 at 11:48 a.m.
Hmm, all of these negative accusations are similar in tone to ones made against Martin Luther King or even recently deceased Paul Newman.
I am not calling people racist, I am saying that when someone who brings something new to the table rocks the status quo, it makes people a tad nervous. Later, those who were the victim of vicious negative campaigns are later held up as great American heroes. Think about it folks and quit believing the rumors you get in e-mails. Go to some of the debunking websites like Snopes.com before spreading stuff that ain't true.
"It is better to be an informed electorate than a convinced electorate"-
Me
On VIDEO/PHOTOS: Biden delivers message of hope to 5,000