One of the benefits of a blog is to inform the public about issues which affect them, but about which they may be completely uninformed. This is essential when it comes to local government activities because, very often, the local government, in this case the County, moves forward with very little public input. Public outcry may follow, and often does, but those cries fall on deaf ears because decisionmakers have already set wheels in motion.
This blog, I hope, will keep issues in front of the constituents and provide direction regarding contacting officials and voicing opinions, enabling residents to have input which will benefit themselves and others. Right now, you all have an opportunity to do just that.
The BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) will soon vote on whether to spend $40 million in CIT (Community Investment Tax) money to connect the Upper Tampa Bay Trail to the Suncoast Trail.
Unfortunately, there are some very vocal proponents of spending that same money to build more ball fields!!!!!!
If our voices - those of us who use and love the trails – are not heard loudly and clearly, then we will not see those trails connected for many, many years. The money is already there. I am attaching several documents regarding this important decision. Let’s get a dialog going.
There are two very important things every person can do:
1. Contact all the county commissioners.
2. Attend the meetings.
I have nothing against baseball, soccer, etc., but we’ve got many more ball fields than we have trails. Trails benefit all ages and people of all economic levels. And when the two trails are joined, both will become more valuable and attract even more users.
Please peruse the attached documents and join me in speaking up and voicing your wishes to the people who decide how to spend YOUR tax money.
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