Snowbirds: Commission shows we aren’t important<\/h2>\n
On Jan. 24, I and several other “snowbirds” addressed, in public comments at the Brevard County Commission meeting, the rule and fee changes made to the Brevard County park system’s camping units and authorized recently by the commission.\u00a0 The commission has approved a nearly 200% increase in camping fees and, coupled with their approved rule changes, further hinder access of snowbirds to those campsites.<\/p>\n
Snowbirds are predominately retirees from out of state who visit for several months during the winter.\u00a0 We bring out of state money to Brevard County, thereby boosting the economy.\u00a0 Many local businesses depend upon our tourist dollars to thrive.<\/p>\n\n
Retirees live on a fixed income and the outrageous size of the increase in camping fees, coupled with the effects of inflation, are difficult if not impossible to overcome. Many of us have been visiting the Brevard County parks for as long as 20 years. We enjoy the area and consider ourselves part of your community.\u00a0Unfortunately, most of us will be forced to take our money to other venues.<\/p>\n
Snowbirds support a reasonable fee increase and suggest that the campgrounds are sufficiently large to support both long-term camping and support the needs of county residents.\u00a0The commissioners, however, have made it clear that they will not consider our suggestions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
In essence, the Brevard County commissioners have indicated that snowbirds are not important to Brevard County.<\/p>\n
Businesses, who stand to lose the most, should be outraged.<\/p>\n
Robert Abbott, La Crosse, Wisconsin<\/em><\/p>\n More:<\/strong>Unhappy campers: Brevard’s park fee hikes rankle retirees and snowbirds<\/a><\/p>\n\n Isn’t it time that we demand action by our elected officials regarding our southern borders and national debt?<\/p>\n The southern border has been a national disgrace for more than 30 years.\u00a0 The “blame game” and more committees make recommendations\u00a0that are never followed through on.\u00a0 We should demand that the House and Senate be sequestered until they can come up with a workable long-range plan.\u00a0 Why not keep them in D.C. until they do the job that they were elected to do?<\/p>\n Regarding the annual budget:\u00a0 First assume that the fraud and waste in most programs exceed 30%. Require all agencies to cut their budgets by 10%.\u00a0Business and industry does this all the time. If an official objects to these cuts, fire him or her, and hire someone who will get the job done.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Next, eliminate those useless agencies and committees that are no longer necessary.\u00a0No. 1 should be the Energy Department, which was created to help make the United States energy independent; aren’t we there now?<\/p>\n In years gone by we could count on the media to be our watchdog on government spending.\u00a0 The media today is much too biased to do this now. Drastic times require drastic measures.<\/p>\nWe must take firm stand on national issues<\/h2>\n
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