Now is the Time

Dear Editor:

It is high time for Gulf County and Port St. Joe to wake up and make some changes. Owed back taxes from all need to be paid. How far are we (Gulf County) in debt due to these owed taxes?

All have noticed no real building going on in this area while our neighbor counties are. Yes, they do have shopping centers, discount sores and more than one large grocery store and nice family-priced eating place. Why don’t we in Gulf County?

One “Wally World” and a steak buffet, this would keep our local citizens here, also bring in some from other counties and make create more local jobs.

Ask the question, “Why we don’t have the above” to your county commissioners or city officials. If we don’t wake up soon Gulf County will be left behind. Condos and new motels are not the answer. We need jobs and new large businesses. Why spend our local money going shopping or out to eat in Panama City?

The least thing we need in Gulf County is more taxes assessed or added to our county residents. Most are on fixed incomes, retired or out of work and trying to make it on the little they have.

To support some of our parks, one suggestion: collect a fee for out of state or county usage of our boat ramps. Gulf County residents would be exempt of this fee and have a free sticker issued at the county courthouse with proper ID. It is sad to see all the out of state and county tags using these ramps when locals can not even find a parking space. Little if any income comes to our county, they will pack their needs in from home, dump in the bay or at the best use the cans at the ramps, then leave with zero dollars spent in our county/city.

Yes, it is time for a “change.”

John Parker

Highland View