Too Much Lien

This is a difficult time for the social safety net that aims to keep the most vulnerable from falling into the abyss.

State and federal governments seem determined to bring budgets into order by cutting the programs that aim to serve the neediest and challenged and local governments can only plead poverty at the mere mention of additional aid to anything that doesn't bring re-election.

And, unfortunately, the folks at most risk represent the smallest of political constituencies.

But what is happening to the Association of Retarded Citizens and Gulf Transportation is a disgrace.

The new building which the two entities moved into, in a deal facilitated by the city of Port St. Joe to its credit, faces a lien because ARC and Gulf Transportation lack the $7,000 or so in Commerce Center association dues that is owed on this plot of land.

Due to some petty landscaping issue?

The association in question was created for The St. Joe Company's Commerce Park, in which the ARC building is located and what this private sector entity is doing is little different from the abuse coming from state and federal government toward programs like ARC and Gulf Transportation.

The effect of a lien is that it will constrict the ability of either ARC or Gulf Transportation to seek grants because the building in which they reside will not be owned free and clear. The perception is that of a miserly landlord.

The answer resides with the association, which has the ability, if the by-laws are being interpreted correctly, to waive the fees in question for ARC and Gulf Transportation.

The association should put this thing to rest. The climb for ARC and Gulf Transportation and the clients they serve is steep enough.