Letter to the Editor: What's fair? Let your conscience be your guide

To the Editor:

Who benefits most from three new bridges to Boca Grande that should last the next 75 years? Well, Island property owners of course! If you are an Island property owner and you vote you will have a choice to vote for or against a small tax, approximately $300 per $1,000,000 of assessed value per Gasparilla Island Property.

Why should I vote to tax myself, you may ask?

1) The Bridge Authority may or may not choose to use this taxing authority … the tax would be levied, if passed, only if needed.

2) Please consider the fact that daily tolls and discount tolls have all already been raised significantly. Should additional funding be needed and this vote does not pass then tolls will rise again …there is no doubt that this would further limit “day trippers” (or customers of Island businesses) and continue to be more of a burden to workers and many island business owners who may pay these tolls.

Additional toll increases will be detrimental to current Island businesses, future potential Island businesses, Island workers, daily Island customers, and most importantly … you … the Island property owner!

Please realize, island property owner and voter, that these new bridges will benefit you the most of anyone … your property is much more valuable with these new bridges and a thriving Island commercial village center. Again, please understand that our small commercial core is an amenity for all of us and, as such, makes your property much more valuable because of it!

The choice, or vote, is a simple one … what’s fair? Let your conscience be your guide!

Bob Melvin

Multiple island-property owner Former GIBA board member