The nature of change
Editor, The Sun:
Acceptance of change is not a form of surrender, but rather a higher level of awareness. Such awareness allows man to adapt.
Failure to adapt leads to extinction.
William Dickman
Crawfordville
Taxpayers push back on plundering
Editor, The Sun:
I believe Gov. DeSantis may be one of our state’s more effective chief executives we’ve ever experienced.
However, I am in disagreement with the basic points of reducing property taxes because it, largely, carves out school district taxes from accountability. School district taxes account for nearly 59% of the property tax bill. Why? There is a plethora of empty school classrooms within our district. The reasons, chiefly, are falling birth rates and competition from the Universal School Voucher program. The Universal School Voucher forces all schools to do a much better job.
Yet, we, property tax payers get zero respect or representation. When was the last time you heard a school board member candidate address their plans to represent the taxpayer? The candidates always spout “it’s for the children” or “I’m for teachers”. The lack of representation, for the taxpayer, results in little oversight and runaway spending, which ultimately becomes increased property taxes.
School district spending must reflect judicious use of precious resources. Property taxpayers are not an endless supply of revenue. However, the administration and school board members will not control spending unless there are realistic limits on spending. Capping the plundering of property taxpayers will compel better stewardship of taxpayer resources.
We, property taxpayers, are treated like serfs where we must pay a fee to local government otherwise the local governance will take our hard-earned assets away from us. The school districts and municipal government have no skin in the game when it comes to our assets. They didn’t save and work hard to pay off the mortgage. They didn’t work hard to pay the taxes or to remodel and improve the property assets. No, the school districts and municipal government view us taxpayers as if we are their servants and serfs.
It is time the property taxpayers are represented. It is time we, property taxpayers, rise up and collectively protect what is ours and push back, hard, against the plundering of our assets.
Robert Franco
Surf Road
Thanks for support of Optimist fundraiser
Editor, The Sun:
Thank you to our incredible bakers and bidders! The 2026 Coastal Optimist Club of Wakulla Cake Auction was a huge success, and it’s all thanks to YOU! With matching funds, we were able to award five academic scholarships to Wakulla High School seniors totaling over $12,000!
To our 12 amazing bakers, Alex Gonzalez, Brandon Geiger, Derek Allen, Donny Bennett, Greg James, Joe Morgan, Josh Brown, Josh Lawhon, Kinsey Miller, Niraj Patel, Robert Pilkington, and Shadrach Hines, thank you for helping us continue our work for the kids of Wakulla County. Your gift of time, talent, creativity, and heart is so appreciated. The cakes were stunning, the videos fantastic and your efforts made this event unforgettable!
To our winning bidders, Jordan Lee, John Shuff, Lori Allen, William Snowden, Allison Barwick, Karen Radabaugh, Jasmine McMillan, Emily Jones, and Andrew Riddle, thank you for your generous support! Every dollar you contributed goes directly toward programs that benefit the kids of Wakulla County
To our wonderful community, whether you baked, bid, donated, or cheered us on, you played a part in making a difference.
Thanks again,
The Wakulla Coastal Optimists