Clermont 912 & Lake County Republicans host panel debate in Clermont tonight on pros and cons of the Nov. 3 ballot referendum to renew the $600-million "penny sales tax" for another 15 years. FR

I will be one of the panelists on the "Against" side. The opponents do not
object to taxes, but we do object to a tax without any reasonable
limitations on the spending, no limits on excess debt using bonds, and
providing a $600-million slush fund to County Board members Jimmy Conner,
Welton Cadwell and Sean Parks who raised property taxes last year by 14% and
did not roll them back in this year's proposed budget.

You can see my current list of 10+ reasons AGAINST the tax as the top page
on my blog at www.FiscalRangers.com .

This is where you will learn negative information about the tax that the two
local newspapers won't tell you.

I also attended a Daily Commercial Editorial Board meeting yesterday on the
"Against" position, which also included Don Magruder, Andy Dubois and Mark
Fisher, as well as two Homebuilder's Association representatives.

Besides tonight, I also will be on two more sales tax renewal debate panels
:
- Next Monday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 pm at the Country Club of Mt. Dora
Republican Club AT the Country Club
- Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10:30 am at the League of Women Voters - The
forum is at the Leesburg Public Library, public room just before the entry
doors.

Below is the notice from the 912 Group in Clermont.

If you know any other group that would like to host a debate on the
$600-million tax, let me know.
Vance Jochim
FiscalRangers.com
[email protected]
352-638-3578

A TAXING DEBATE

The South Lake 912 Project and the Lake County Republicans will co-host a
debate regarding the Lake County Penny Infrastructure Tax on Thursday,
September 24th at 7:00 PM at the Clermont City Center, 620 W. Montrose in
downtown Clermont. This Infrastructure Tax issue will appear on the November
3rd ballot county-wide along with candidate elections from seven of the
county's cities.

The Infrastructure Tax revenue is split three ways. Lake County and the
School Board each receive one third of the revenue, the other third is split
between the 14 cities in Lake County and is to be earmarked for Capital and
Infrastructure usage by all recipients. Capital usages such as police and
fire department equipment/stations, road construction and capital repair,
renovation and new school construction, replacing outmoded communications,
and development of new regional parks and enhancement of existing parks are
some of the Capital improvement projects that have been funded by this tax.

County Commissioner Leslie Campione and School Board Member Bill Mathias
will speak in favor the of the continuation of the tax and will highlight
how the County and School Board both benefit from the funds raised by this
tax. Examples of how the cities have benefitted as well, will also be
presented.

Lake County resident and Fiscal Ranger blogger Vance Jochim and Lake County
business owner Don Magruder and Right Side of The Lake blogger will speak in
opposition of the issue as it is currently written.

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items that will be
donated to the food pantries in South Lake County. The need is great so
please be generous.