FOCUS ISSUES
Here's what I'm thinking about as I run for Council.
Considering today's face, and tomorrow's face of the City of Seminole.
or
The affordability of Seminole, the changing face of Seminole
1. Exorbitant property insurance rates are driving Florida residents out of Florida. What can government do to assure that insurance companies share the risk, nationwide, so that insurance companies do not cherry pick the least risk insureds, and leave the rest of us in harm's way?
2. Property valuations have increased dramatically the past few years. The sale of property at these much higher assessed values has brought an influx of new revenue to the taxing authorities. Every time you have seen a For Sale sign go up/come down, note that that sale has generated huge increases in ad valorem taxes for your neighborhood. How is it that with this dramatic increase in revenue for spending on public services, less and less people can afford to live here?
3.Let's consider what I, and many people like me might face if they were out buying a home in Seminole today. Would I qualify for a loan on the home I already own? Realtors have used the annual family income, times three, as the valuation of a home a new buyer could afford. Given my family's financial condition, which is comparable to when we bought our home, the home I live in now would be completely out of my financial reach today, if I were in the market to buy.
Win lose or draw in the next election, these issues must be addressed. I’m asking the questions, and I’m looking for answers. You’re reading my analysis, so now you’ve got more information that you can think through. There are a lot of smart people out there, and collectively, we can address these issues.
Please send your ideas along to me, talk to your neighbors, or contact your local newspaper or Tallahasee. I hope that you want critical-thinking people assessing this situation in places where the decisions can be made. I am one of those people.
Please vote for Plantamura on March 13.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SITE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THESE IDEAS ARE NOT FINAL, AND ARE PRIMARILY FOR THE FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE WEB-SITE TO COMMENT ON, BEFORE WE PLACE THE WEB-SITE ON THE BUSINESS CARD. AND I KNOW ALREADY, THIS IS TOOOOOO MUCH INFORMATION.
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