Letter sent to Largo City Manager, Mayor and CommissionersDue to an impossible work schedule (10 and 12 hour days) since school started, I am unable to attend the Budget Meeting Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. I had hoped to be able to speak to the issue of the proposed millage rate of 3.8448 but since I can’t be there, I will do it in writing. I have lived in Largo since 1975 and have watched the city grow and change. I have been privileged to be a part of some of these changes through volunteer work in many capacities and will continue to serve, hopefully, for many more years. Largo is a wonderful place to live and we have so very many opportunities to enjoy our lives here that when I watch or attend the Commission/Work session meetings I am always amazed at the small but very vocal group of obviously very unhappy people who get up week after week, month after month and do nothing but complain about anything and everything to do with Largo. I’m sorry for them as they obviously don’t realize just what we have here in our city. I think if half of the negative energy they expend was turned into positive works, how much more could we all accomplish together? I’m sure one or more of the constant nay-sayers will be up before you tearing the proposed budget and millage rate of 3.8448 to shreds. As a single homeowner who works for the school board, I, too, would welcome some tax relief (especially from the surcharges on my utility bills—just how much garbage can one single person generate?) and I live with the results of budget cuts every day on the job. But, I have come to really appreciate the quality and quantity of life and services that we receive from the city and really do not want to have to give up any of them. Of course our Recreation, Parks and Arts Department is near and dear to my heart as my son grew up through sports participation in it and I’ve watched it grow into one of the best in the entire state. As I attended Strategic Planning meetings for citizen input, the first and foremost entity mentioned as the most important and/or positive thing about Largo were the Recreation, Parks and Arts offerings. What those people who are constantly wanting to slash our budget to next to nothing fail to realize is, that citizens, whether they be from Largo or elsewhere, CHOOSE to pay their money to participate here. They have come to expect excellent service, programs and facilities and are obviously willing to pay for them. To roll back the millage rate to 3.6514 would definitely impact not only the RPA Department but probably every Department in our city and maybe I’m being selfish but I’m just NOT willing to settle for less than what we have right now. Please consider these thoughts when you are making your decisions about the Budget and the Millage rate and realize that the very loud voices of a few do NOT represent the vast majority of Largo residents. - Sue Porter, Recreation, Parks and Arts Chairman Volunteer in Policing member
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