Fellow Gulf Countians,

As the first half of 2010 comes to an end, one of our greatest concerns is the oil gushing forth near our shores.  All we can do is pray that this catastrophe will end soon and the long process of cleanup will be successful.

Another leak of great concern is the tax dollars spewing forth from our Gulf County coffers amidst the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth by our fiscally-challenged commissioners. 

The continued placement of Gulf County Public Notices in The News Herald (circulation avg. of 1,000 in Gulf County as opposed to The Star's circulation of 5,000) is obviously a revenge tactic by our commissioners who cannot comprehend beneficial criticism that would lead to constant savings in the publications budget.  In the first six months of 2010 there has been a total leakage of $2,250 in this line item.

Another leak is an annual $6,000 paid to a certain commissioner's exercise center on Reid Avenue which allows free access to county employees (a wellness tactic).  I personally visited the county office for Human Resources and inquired about the number of employees who use this exercise facility.  They had no figures as to the number of users; therefore, we, as taxpayers, are unable to ascertain if this benefit saves the county any money on health care.  Who, if anyone, is keeping track of this supposed benefit; where is the accountabity?  With so many jobs lost, being a Gulf County employee is about the best of jobs with good steady pay along with benefits.  We, the taxpayers, should not have to subsidize this additional benefit -- it should be on their own dime. 

 This total of $8,250 may seem minor as a rift in Gulf County's multimillion annual budget, but if leaks such as these are not stopped they may sink the USS Gulf County.  Our commissioners think of it as chump change but we, as the taxpayers, are the chumps if we don't attempt to change their behavior.

 In the August primary and again in the November election a "few" Gulf County voters will have the privilege of going to the polls.  I use the word "few" because not all residents can participate.  These few have an immense power this year -- the power to move our county to a truly representative form of government.

 It was proven in the past that the majority of Gulf County voters preferred county-wide voting.  If the candidates running for office in Districts 2 and 4 display a sincere desire to implement county-wide voting, our county would be able to rid itself of the shallow pursuits of some of our long-time in office commissioners.  Messrs. Traylor and McLemore "promised" to pursue county-wide voting in the past but their promises were overshadowed by their personal agendas.

Respectfully,

Tom Knoche

Port St. Joe