Fiscal Rangers

Got Septic? New Distributed community Septic System discussed at Lake County, FL Board meeting March 22, 2022

Got Septic? If you have a septic tank or considering a replacement, or buying a new home outside city limits, you need water and sewage connections. A new "Septic to Distributed System" method for new homes and small developments (50 homes per system) that do not have direct access to city sewage systems was discussed at yesterday's (Mar. 22, 2022) Lake County Board meeting. You can watch the tab 30 agenda item meeting video by going to the Lake County website, clicking and scrolling to about 1 hour, 55 minutes and watch it, plus you can click the agenda tab and scroll to tab 30 to see the agenda documents. This new system was solicited by the Lake County Board to reduce pressure for developers to annex into cities and approve HIGH-density homes to justify costs for city proviced sewer pipelines. Instead, they found a vendor ( http://www.onsyte.com/ ) that can provide small, stand-alone, more advanced community septic systems. They also had an earlier presentation by the vendor several months ago. They were the only ones to respond to a request for proposal. They are not discussing mandating these for older homes with septic tanks (at this time). Both Lake... Read more →

Should Lake County, FL or local cities get FREE Federal $ and create their own local internet broadband utility?

Many cities are creating their onw municipal internet broadband utilities, and even Federal funds can pay for it as we explain.' Read more →

Lake County, FL has no public law library when most other Florida counties have one

The Lake County, FL Board of County Commissioners needs to refund and re-implement a public Law Library for residents like most other Florida counties have. Read more →

Are PACE Commercial loans in Florida risky or worthwhile - our overview and video link

The Federal Government and many states like Florida have created a mechanism for "green" construction builders and remodelers to offer residential and commercial property owners low-interest loans for desirable "Green" energy-efficient construction designs and products ranging from solar roof panels to high-efficiency air conditioners. We provide a fiscal watchdog overview of the PACE Commercial and PACE Residential loan programs and their risks and our opinion for Florida projects. Before viewing this, you might also do a search on "PACE Lawsuits" to see the results of such loan programs around the US. Read more →

Caveat Emptor when buying a manufactured or mobile home in a Florida park where you pay lot rent

Owning a mobile home in Florida on leased or rented lots is dangerous and we describe some reasons why. The industry and the Florida legislators need to take action against mobile home park owners who are bullies and harass and threaten mobile home owners so they give up and leave so the park owner can take over the home and sell or rent it for a profit. Read more →

Clermont, FL Taxpayers protest City Council decisions and rampant development at City Hall

Citizens showed up at the Clermont City Hall on July 22, 2020 to wave signs and discuss issues with those passing by. Led by local Clermont watchdog Dani Page, the group waved signs for two hours. This is a 30 minute segment. Read more →

Our Review of the Oct. 30, 2019 Tavares, FL Comprehensive Plan 2040 Workshop - lots of Agenda 21 stuff!

The latest workshop of the Tavares, FL Comprehensive Plan 2040 Committee was held on Oct. 30, 2019.  This overview is based upon my fiscal conservative, reduced taxation philosophy.  We provide a link to a video of the meeting, the agenda, relevant documents, the Powerpoint and our opinion on the bias in the meeting. Tavares area property owners beware. Read more →

MedMen Medical Marijuana Pot Growers in Eustis, FL Anger Neighbors Over Excessive Industrial Noise

MedMen Medical Marijuana Pot Growers in Eustis, FL Anger Neighbors Over Excessive Industrial Noise Read more →

Clermont, FL City Council votes to spend taxpayer funds to appeal a legal decision they lost.

The Clermont City Council lost a legal action to allow a charter school to build on a five acre lot with terrible traffic issues and neighbor complaints. Neither city staff or the Lake County School District wanted the project approved. Now the City attorney convinced the clearly vague Council to approve an expensive appeal of the legal decision. Neighbor opposition leader Dani Page made a video of that meeting which you can watch. The saga continues at taxpayer expense. Read more →

Publix Map of Shelf Inventories for store in Tavares, FL

To make Publix shopping easier, I created a floor map of goods and their aisle locations to use for shopping. This Excel version is for the Tavares, FL Publix at HWY 19 and CR 561. Download it, and create your own version for your local grocery store and shopping preferences. Read more →

Consumer Alert: Don't buy new or used Chromebooks without knowing they have a SHORT five year support life.

Consumer Alert: Don't buy a new or used Chromebook without reading how they STOP support after 5 years of first manufacture date. Caveat Emptor Chromebooks. Read more →

Are Orlando Sentinel Subscription Billing Practices Unethical with Stealth Fees and Non-transparent Invoices?

The Orlando Sentinel is mis-representing the true cost of a home delivery subscription. They publicly state it is $3/week or $39 per 13 weeks, but then once you are enrolled, the invoices reduce the issue counts to pay $3.99 each for up to 10 "Premium Issues" per year, which are really advertising inserts. So you may think you are getting a true 13 weeks of issues, but they reduce that issue count to offset the hidden cost of the "Premium Issues". In a year, you are paying about $39.90 more than you knew about from the published prices. And if you used credit card autopay, you probably never know you are getting fewer issues to offset the Premium Issues. Read more →

FiscalRangers.com Consumer WARNING: Don't buy glasses to watch the eclipse without reading this - you could damage your kids eyes

FiscalRangers.com Consumer WARNING about "Eclipse" glasses to view the upcoming Eclipse. WATCH OUT and do not buy any "Eclipse" glasses except those four brands specified by NASA. Many are counterfeits and not properly certified and could harm the eyesight of the users. Even Amazon is selling counterfeit versions of the brands as described in the "1" review comments. Track down NASA's original recommendation and only buy from the manufacturer website or learn how to ensure your glasses meet the official certification standards. There is a link on this NASA page below to the list of official glasses certified by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) that are safe: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety FoxNews also issued a warning about these glasses HERE on July 28. Don't think because you find the manufacturer name on Amazon's website that the glasses are from them. Most likely they can be knockoffs from "sold by" vendors. (Amazon allows a lot of counterfeit sales). And, this link leads to the “1” comments for a “Soluna” brand Eclipse sunglasses on Amazon. You can read the actual comments saying a first order might be legitimate glasses, or the picture is, but the shipped items were Chinese knockoffs that were not certified. The... Read more →

Daily Commercial fails to deliver newspapers for four days due to new delivery contract

Tavares, FL June 5, 2015 Lake Countians: This information is updated from a memo sent to some recipients yesterday. Update: Today, Saturday, June 6, my paper is missing again for the fifth day. The Daily Commercial is really botching up every newspaper's credibility. I got through to an operator at 7:45 am and they will deliver it later. - The Daily Commercial just got a contract to deliver the Orlando Sentinel, Wall St. Journal and USA Today, plus their own subscribers. - For four days (Update: Now five days), hundreds of subscribers (unverified) did not get their newspapers. - I was one of them. - Problems include lack of planning to hire enough delivery couriers, and changing delivery routes to confuse existing couriers. - The circulation phone number for reporting missing papers is overloaded and put people in endless loops where they could not talk to a staffer or even leave a message. Puppy dogs are even sad when they can't read their newspapers. For the last four days, many Lake County subscribers to the Daily Commercial, Orlando Sentinel, Wall St. Journal and USA Today have not received one or more papers. I called to DC Publisher Steve Scaggs yesterday,... Read more →

Updated Consumer Alert: Solar Firms Scam Homeowners with Contracts that Result in Home Liens

We updated our earlier article about solar roofing and panel scams to include new Florida resident information and how Arizona and California Solar roofing and panel scams are now moving to Florida after a new 2017 law allows them to grow without Electric Utility interference. Read more →

Seattle gets rude economics lesson in wake of hiking minimum wage to $15/hour

Seattle gets rude lesson in economics. Remember that $15 hour minimum wage the liberals pushed through? It goes into effect April 1, and already restaurants are closing, employees are getting less benefits and hours. Just wait until the law goes into effect to see how bad it fails... http://www.westernjournalism.com/15-minimum-wage-looms-seattle-restaurants-close-doors/?utm_source=MailChimp&utm_medium=email&utm_content=featured-stories&utm_campaign=DailyEmail03.16.15#tvtajp4FpxpWQDxF.97 vj Read more →

Consumer Tip - Watch out for Comcast & other Cable Promotions

Tavares, FL Feb. 18th, 2015 Consumer tip: Comcast/Xfinity Cable internet or TV users - don't EVER get sucked in to a "promotion" for a new service where it is improved at the same price you pay. Then in 12-15 months, it goes up +30%. Magically, they won't let you step back to the prior level you had at the old price. This happened to me with Comcast cable and price went up from $25 to $40 for just an internet connection (no TV). Then today, a Comcast guy calls up with another promotion "for faster bandwidth" at the same price of $40, but admitted it was a promotion. Guess what, price goes up after 12 months. And, he couldn't say if I could then stay with the old level. Even though many customers are happy with current bandwidth, this may be an attempt to lock in customers to higher rates since the Obama administration may enforce "net neutrality" which means everyone, regardless of bandwidth use, gets to use all the bandwidth they want at the same price. So moving people up to higher cost bandwidth tiers is a marketing program to get fatter fees now, and not have to fight... Read more →

Comcast Users - Are your rates for a rental modem going up 2.50%?

Comcast and time warner are raising modem rental rates, at least in Denver. The increased cost may justify ditching the rental and buying your own modem. I did it. Other Comcast issues are discussed. Read more →

Lake County's Dr. Jack Cassell on American Pickers TV Show on History Channel

Lake County, Florida's conservative Dr. Jack Cassell, known for an active conservative Facebook page, is a closet collector and the History Channel's American Pickers visited him recently. Read more →

Consumer Alert: Harbor Freight Sells Tools missing Parts and Won't Furnish Missing Parts

Harbor Freight shorted me four parts for an engine stand that had to be assembled. This is what am going through in order to get replacement parts. Read more →

The Target Credit Card Fraud - Here is my Take and Tips

Tavares, FL - Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 - TWO Updates added Dec. 31 - see new article links below Did you, family members or friends shop at Target and use a credit or debit card between Nov. 27 & Dec. 15? If so, you better read all of this to avoid your card account being charged by fraudsters. You probably know credit card hackers took some 40-million credit card numbers from Target customers and perhaps other data during that period. Some articles say that only data on the magnetic stripe was copied, but I can't find specific details to rely on. If you DID use any credit or debit card at a Target store (Target says online shopping was not affected), READ all articles below plus the Target document linked below. Target says they have fixed the security weakness, so you can use credit cards there now. You might forward this to, or check with family members, employees, etc to see if THEY shopped at Target since many probably don't read or watch the news and are oblivious to the fraud. You also need to monitor ALL unknown transactions on your credit card via online. That includes small purchases or... Read more →

Nightmare of Obamacare Presentation by Dr. Tim Moore

Tavares, FL - Nov. 4, 2013 Dr. Tim Moore, a cardivascular surgeon who owns a surgery clinic in Leesburg, FL gave at talk on the "Nightmare of Obamacare" to residents and visitors at the Royal Highlands retirement community in Leesburg, FL on Nov. 4, 2013. Moore's talk is blunt and covers all the Obama lies and the restrictions and true cost analysis that will affect both working and retired folks, so this is a good video and/or Powerpoint to watch, with many researched facts. We have both the Powerpoint and the video. Download Nightmare of Obamacare 2013 <<<< This is the Powerpoint You can find the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSI14Q5OF2I Read the video description also. The best way to watch it is to open a window with the Powerpoint and then another window with the video and click through the Powerpoint as Dr. Moore discusses each. We apologize for the sound, but the microphone was faulty and the hall created an echo due to the placement of the speakers (not under our control). Another version of the video might be uploaded later if we can get it from the owner. Read more →

SamAdamsAlliance Market Research on the Tea Party & What's Next

This foundation, SamAdamsAlliance, funds various oversight groups and does research. This link goes to their 2010 series on the Tea Party, who is joining it, and what is next, but this page is before the 2010 elections & examined who makes up the Next Wave of activists joining this movement: Who is identifying with the Tea Party brand? How are they interacting with Early Adopters? How is the Next Wave making its mark on politics? What does all of this mean in terms of the 2010 elections? http://www.samadamsalliance.org/research/activist-insights/next-wave.aspx They also provided seed funding for the "Texas Watchdog" blog in Texas: http://www.texaswatchdog.org/about/who-is-funding-the-work/ vj Read more →

Brooksville, FL City Council Decides NOT to Continue Red Light Cameras

Cities in Lake County are being approached about installing red light cameras like those in Orlando. Here is an instance where another Florida city tried them, and the City Council decided the main feature of the cameras was excess revenue generation for the State and City, and they did NOT renew their provider agreement, essentially turning off their red light cameras. It is interesting to note that the fine for a red light camera offense is $158, and $83 goes to the State, then the vendor keeps about 25%, or $37.50 and the city keeps... the remaining $37.50. One Councilman said that the city was already starting to be dependent on the income, which was becoming the motivating factor, not increasing safety. So, when your local City Council gets approached by that well connected local Lake County attorney who represents the vendor, go speak at the meeting if you don't want to become another revenue source and over react each time you see a red light camera. PS: My local audio installer, who installs high end sound systems in houses, tells me that the parts and systems for red light cameras are all off the shelf items he could assemble... Read more →

FiscalRangers.com Security Alert - BE VERY wary about new Orlando Sentinel "Login" Process

Today, the Orlando Sentinel has implemented a new login system that ensures your privacy in posting online comments is DEAD, and your comments can be linked to your name on other accounts you have. -At one time I was a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and I follow news related to consumer data privacy issues. Yes, I know you think I spend all my time reading County budgets, but when I am bored, I read about data privacy! Today, I tried to post a comment to an article on the Orlando Sentinel website and they no longer use their own login method, but force you to select one of several social media login accounts. Thus, you can't use any method except clicking and using your existing, or new account on Facebook, Twitter, Google, etc. The sentinel is even offering a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to get people to use the new system. This is an extremely risky practice, because Facebook, for instance, has been pummeled in the press THIS WEEK for having... POOR security over member data, and NOT asking member permission before sharing their data with other social media systems. Basically,... Read more →

FiscalRangers.com Consumer Alert: My Shaky Experience with Verizon's Droid Phone

I recently upgraded my old Motorola flip phone to Verizon Wireless's new Droid Smartphone which uses Google's Android operating system (OS). It is a competitor to Apple's iPhone. I had earlier used several Palm Pilots which were known as personal digital assistants (PDA's) since they did not have phones built in. I fully believe that the Android system will grow in importance and eclipse Apple's phone since Google is spending a lot of money on it, and others like Palm Pre or even Blackberry's will lose customer interest. So, I went to the Verizon "store" in the Lake Square Mall (Leesburg, FL) and bought one. Verizon still aggravates me by... having small signs that play up the "after rebate" price as the price, but instead of $199, you really pay $299 plus tax, sign up for a more expensive phone and data plan for 24 months (figure over $100 per month, and even more if you add texting). Thus, the little $199 purchase really incurs a total purchase of over $2700 over 24 months, and even more if you buy apps or programs that run on the Droid. Then you have to fill out forms and send in the rebate... Read more →

Yelp.com - Hi Tech Way to Find Good Eating Places & Businesses in Lake County

Imagine an internet phone book with customer reviews of local Lake County businesses. Kind of like Amazon.com product reviews, but tailored for Lake County businesses. You can tell Lake County businesses are behind the technology bandwagon when most restaurants, etc. have not listed themselves on Yelp.com Yelp is a major player in rating eating, entertainment & business locations in major cities. So, the nearest big cities to Lake County are Tampa or Orlando. If you select Orlando, it shows lists of the top user rated eating and playing places, WITH a map to show where they are. But, I thought there weren't any listings for Lake County. But I was wrong - it just took a little experimenting. I went to a list of top rated restaurants in Orlando, and it showed a map with numbered pointers for each rated business. And, if I "dragged" the map so it showed the Triangle area of Lake County, the map revised its ratings pointers and showed top rated restaurants in that area. But, there were only a few. And, there wasn't ONE tire store listed for the area (take that, Ralph). For instance, here is a link where I went to the... Read more →

FiscalRangers Consumer Tips on Internet Password Creation - And what NOT to use

A website was hacked recently and the hackers posted online all the user accounts and passwords they used for that website. Some people analyzed which passwords were used the most and how easy they were for an internet "hacking" routine to guess them. Amazingly, 290,000 user accounts used the very easy to hack "123456". So, if you want to find out how weak or easy your online internet passwords are to "hack", then read the article below. vj from PCWorld.com (a personal computer magazine) RockYou Hack Reveals the Worst 20 Passwords 01.21.10 3Comments by Mark Hachman In December, RockYou.com was hacked, and a list of usernames and passwords was exposed to the Web, in plain text. A month later, security analysis firm Imperva has analyzed the most common passwords, and the results are depressing, to say the least. By far, the most popular password on the site was "123456," apparently satisfying a minimum character limit on the site's password restrictions, but doing little for security. A full 290,731 users used this password, far more than the runner-up, the slightly less complex "12345, which attracted 79,078 uses. For years, security experts have been arguing that users need to use more complex... Read more →

An Overview of Medical Clinic Scams, and example of one that was fined $24-million

A chain of clinics providing "free" medical services for kids from low income families was just fined $24-million because they ran a scam that implemented unneeded medical procedures on kids to run up Medicaid billings. Examples including performance of numerous root canals on screaming kids tied to boards which were not needed. Read and understand so you can ensure YOUR kid or friend is a victim of similar medical scam clinics in Lake County. One of the many scams resulting in Medicaid fraud around the country is when a firm or clinic gives free or low cost "screenings" for certain maladies, then magically finds them, and tells the patient work is needed right away. Then the clinic or rolling clinic (like a traveling bus) provides the "services" and may or may not do the actual work on low income adults and kids who qualify for medicaid or they bill an employee's insurance firm. An example is doing work on an ingrown toenail, but classifying it as a more complex case, and billing insurance for $9500 for a one hour procedure. Then the clinic bills or overbills medicaid and immediately collects a check. California is run by Democrats and their attorney... Read more →