Why triple the tax cap?

County Transportation planning staff has narrowed the alternatives from 15 to five for the extension of Vanderbilt Beach Road east of Collier Boulevard to Wilson Boulevard. With fewer routes, it’s now easier to track the possibilities than to track an approaching hurricane.

If I had become accustomed to the secluded life along one of these proposed roadways in the Estates, I’d be pretty concerned. There really is no good choice and no-build is not an alternative. The three east-west roadways that currently serve the population won’t accommodate the eventual 450,000 population east of Collier Boulevard.

In the past, there has been strong resistance to commercial development as well as new roadways or bridging canals to create connectivity. That attitude has led to the current log jams we have on Estates roadways.

The reaction from residents affected by the new roadways is the same response that has halted any progress for relieving gridlock. The problem has grown to extreme measures and the political outcry to prevent road building is being surpassed by the outcry to end gridlock. Elected officials have learned what happens when they stall on projects. Leaders do not want to be held responsible for lack of planning and not taking action.

While talk about solutions, people keep moving in and building on their properties.

Some tie the problem to the opening of Ave Maria University and its outlying community in 2007. This development is not the problem. They have paid $28 million to address road deficiencies. Most people still don’t know where the new University is located. If you drive east on Oil Well Road, it is about halfway between Desoto Boulevard and the intersection of US 29. When you see a sign for Camp Keis Road, you will be in the vicinity.

Golden Gate Fire

& Rescue District

Every year since 1990, things have been getting better for the Golden Gate Fire & Rescue District. There are better facilities, better equipment and huge pay increases to the point that when presenting their proposed wage increases, officials no longer use the same wage comparisons as in the past, because they have surpassed some of those agencies.

Years ago, the Golden Gate Fire & Rescue District was so strapped for money, they held community fund-raisers to help pay for a building, equipment and other needs of the department. Volunteers made up the staff.

As the area has grown and populated, the district has seen huge increases in tax revenue and impact fees and expanded dramatically. That trend in population growth and increases in property values has allowed the district to continue to improve.

It’s a jaw-dropping shock to see the district’s proposal to triple our tax cap. Unlike North Naples, this community is mostly made up of working class families. To suggest such an increase is to raid family incomes of other living necessities. They say they need to immediately double the staff and triple our taxes to pay for it all now. It would be laughable if they didn’t have a straight face.

Our response times are shorter, our district is expanding, pay raises are phenomenal and we have the “coolest and finest toys” of any district in the county. I just don’t get it.

The Golden Gate Fire & Rescue District has never had it so good.