CEP Florida Officials have asked the Marion County Attorney to stop the offer/acceptance of free meals and other costly favors to Marion County Commissioners. The Marion County arrangement with the Ocala Chamber appears to give special powers to the Ocala Chamber and Gifts to Commissioners. See $20,000 monthly payments for the fundamental support of the Ocala Chamber 501(c6). Only members and Commissioners are invited to special galas. Reference Marion County Day functions for Commissioners, Partners and Baxley/Stone Representatives. Exclusive group is formed as an economic partnership.
Marion County belongs to us, the citizens. Write down the phone number above and use it to discuss issues with your MCBCC. Marion is our county! Here are some opinions.
Marion County Government is growing out of control. They are doing many things they never did before and they are not doing the normal things they were always tasked to accomplish, like roads, stewards of tax funds, pay a living wage for public safety personnel.
3 must know ways on "How to solve Marion County Government Issues best".
Brad Rogers asks how can we solve the need to pay Public Safety Employees. This is an answer. Commissioners mean well, but they often look for a home run answer to situations, an often they strike out. The top 3"solutions" that determine how a situation is handled are:
1. How good will I look when the dust clears. My short run popularity and the best possible outcome for me. How will this issue affect my efforts to raise reelection campaign funding? Sometimes it is simply, how can I get past this situation with the fewest casualties among my supporters. This seems to be universal. Few individuals can face an issue without feeling deep down that they will gain in their interest or possibly lose.
2. On the Ocala Chamber of Commerce it was about 100 years that the Chamber operated in the best interest of their group. Their Federal Tax category is a 501 (c)6 designation. That means first that they must abide by regulations set for their category. It just happens that among the top criteria for them is they may not take on any activity that is usually provided by a for-profit person. The MCBCC entered into an agreement for services with the Ocala Chamber that is mostly hiring services that are usually supplied by for-profit persons. That is a problem.
More on this later.
3. Again crossing into the private sector, the MCBCC entered an "Environmental Low Carbon Green" crusade in 2012 that is actually costing county taxpayers millions. There is an effort to cause Marion County residents to use Compressed Natural Gas in their vehicles
1. How good will I look when the dust clears. My short run popularity and the best possible outcome for me. How will this issue affect my efforts to raise reelection campaign funding? Sometimes it is simply, how can I get past this situation with the fewest casualties among my supporters. This seems to be universal. Few individuals can face an issue without feeling deep down that they will gain in their interest or possibly lose.
2. On the Ocala Chamber of Commerce it was about 100 years that the Chamber operated in the best interest of their group. Their Federal Tax category is a 501 (c)6 designation. That means first that they must abide by regulations set for their category. It just happens that among the top criteria for them is they may not take on any activity that is usually provided by a for-profit person. The MCBCC entered into an agreement for services with the Ocala Chamber that is mostly hiring services that are usually supplied by for-profit persons. That is a problem.
3. Again crossing into the private sector, the MCBCC entered an "Environmental Low Carbon Green" crusade in 2012 that is actually costing county taxpayers millions. There is an effort to cause Marion County residents to use Compressed Natural Gas in their vehicles
Another answer to the Ocala Star-Banner questions on wasted tax money. Here is why CNG use can never gain popular use from a Government effort.
The Government operates on free money and favors. Fuel companies can develop a plan for government officials to use tax dollars to purchase popularity with the fuel company, others who will benefit financially, and government officials who seem at the start to be doing a great thing. Everyone seems to like it. The problem, however, is that no one ever is going to have free tax money unless given by the government. Of course, that can't keep going because money must flow in via taxes not out via pay off's for the expense and inconvenience of CNG.
Of 1000 persons asked if they use Compressed Natural Gas for their car. 993 said no they did not and no they would not convert to natural gas. They were asked if they could be "Educated" to use CNG and the conversion, and the response was the same.
Why do commissioners even consider the use of a fuel that no one else uses or would even consider using? The answer is there is a benefit of popularity, reduced threat, or benefit of a need unique to a public official. In other words, they seem to be working in their own self-interest. Not good for getting through an election if there is competition.
Of 1000 persons asked if they use Compressed Natural Gas for their car. 993 said no they did not and no they would not convert to natural gas. They were asked if they could be "Educated" to use CNG and the conversion, and the response was the same.
Why do commissioners even consider the use of a fuel that no one else uses or would even consider using? The answer is there is a benefit of popularity, reduced threat, or benefit of a need unique to a public official. In other words, they seem to be working in their own self-interest. Not good for getting through an election if there is competition.
Problems of Raising taxes for a Republican Majority County Commission.
Dodge and weave is the only way to get taxes in for a Republican. The proposed Sales Tax is a 16% increase. The Tourism tax was a 200% increase. The Sheriff's MSTU was a 16% increase.
1. Roads, for example, were serviced by the county for as long as anyone can remember, however about 2004 the commission stopped maintaining roads and slowly went out of the business while diverting general funds to "give away programs like a Million here and a Million there to companies. The Ocala Chamber has received a $1,000,000 over the last four years to do jobs that the county used to do for themselves. A Golf company also receives $1,000,000 from the general fund and money that used to be used to prevent crime is now used to put pictures of elected officials on billboards and just about any other service. There are many efforts that law enforcement and public safety personnel do that could easily fall in this area but what politician can resist putting their face and family on a billboard.
2. Firefighters have been replaced by "Public Information Officers". For every 1 PIO that is hired, 2 to 3 firemen are not hired. Go figure.
3. Sales Taxes slow down the economy and cause consumers to not spend. It is very recessive and harmful to a county economy and jobs.
4. There must be a term limit for Commissioners moving on to another government job. Nothing personal with any pollution's but there is a ladder that if climbed based on doing "team player" duty really well. We should stop every pollination at the end of two terms. It would help with the human nature need to work in your own best interest. They even think they are Public Servants but actually, they are climbing a ladder and often think they are superior to the rest of us.
1. Roads, for example, were serviced by the county for as long as anyone can remember, however about 2004 the commission stopped maintaining roads and slowly went out of the business while diverting general funds to "give away programs like a Million here and a Million there to companies. The Ocala Chamber has received a $1,000,000 over the last four years to do jobs that the county used to do for themselves. A Golf company also receives $1,000,000 from the general fund and money that used to be used to prevent crime is now used to put pictures of elected officials on billboards and just about any other service. There are many efforts that law enforcement and public safety personnel do that could easily fall in this area but what politician can resist putting their face and family on a billboard.
2. Firefighters have been replaced by "Public Information Officers". For every 1 PIO that is hired, 2 to 3 firemen are not hired. Go figure.
3. Sales Taxes slow down the economy and cause consumers to not spend. It is very recessive and harmful to a county economy and jobs.
4. There must be a term limit for Commissioners moving on to another government job. Nothing personal with any pollution's but there is a ladder that if climbed based on doing "team player" duty really well. We should stop every pollination at the end of two terms. It would help with the human nature need to work in your own best interest. They even think they are Public Servants but actually, they are climbing a ladder and often think they are superior to the rest of us.
