LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No more Mr. Nice Guy

At last, our city manager and councilmen have quit being the "nice guys," and as the "firing squad," are demanding a reality check.

The appraisal district is about to kill the spirit of all of us regular people who are about to drown in the fast rising demands for more and more money. Yes, land value and "improvements" have gone up - but almost 100 percent increase on our small cottage in the last few years?

I am not a year round citizen - my family and I spend as much time as possible on "our island" - I, my children and grand children love our home here - not a large, fancy home nor an over top condo. It is a small two bedroom one bath, living room, kitchen, deck, built in 1977. Nothing relaxes all stress like enjoying the night sky and breeze sitting on the deck - all the tranquilizer we need!

I'm well past the 65-year mark - a seniorsenior with a very fixed income. Our steadily increasing taxes and insurance are causes of great concern. Sad for me, but a tragedy for some full-time residents. I'm hoping that our big guns can convince the appraisal board that they are not dealing with Newport Beach, Calif., or Miami Beach, Fla. Thank you, thank you City Manager and City Council.

Dana G. Carver San Antonio

More about Tina

I was happy to see the story about the Farley boat, "Tina," but would like to correct a few facts. Sam Cone was our neighbor in Port Aransas. I remember the summer that he took delivery of the Tina. I am 60 years old now, and was old enough to go on one of its maiden voyages. I would imagine I was 6 or 7, which puts the age of the boat at approximately 55. Sam took us to the abandoned lighthouse now owned by Charles Butt, and we climbed the steps to the top. Several steps were missing, so the climb was pretty adventurous. Sam also had an older, larger Farley named "Goose Egg," that may have been closer to 70. The "Tina" was named after Sam's daughter, Justine, not his wife. I don't remember his wife's name, but my mother, Edith McAllister, would know. My recollection is that she died rather than divorced him.

When Jeff Morehouse first showed me pictures of the Farley he had bought, I recognized the "Tina." Later, I visited Mr. Blue's shop and remembered how the steering wheel was mounted on the gunwale rather than amidships, and that even as a child, I was unable to stand up straight under the roof. I also remember running aground going into the lighthouse channel and waiting quite a while for the tide to rise a bit before departing.

I am proud to have acquired, with A. R. Perez as a partner, what I believe to be the last Farley built. The boat was originally commissioned by Garner Fuller and Firman (sp?) Jackson, who were Lone Star Beer distributors in Corpus Christi. They named her the Star Fish. She was on the cover of the Port Aransas telephone book one year. The boat is being refurbished and re-engined in San Antonio by my son, Alex. We probably won't get her in the water this summer, but may by next spring.

Reagin McAllister

San Antonio

Taxes outrageous

The Nueces County Appraisal District increased property values by more than 25 percent, some as much as 80 percent, and my own by more than 100 percent. Elected offi- cials approve the tax rate. The tax rate shown on the appraisals are estimated rates. It seems to me the most effective way to lower our property tax is for our elected officials, (the city council, school board and others), who say they want to lower our property tax, should set the approved tax rate 25 percent or more lower than the estimated rate. This would make rental property more affordable for the working class and graduate students. These same elected officials made a big show of complaining about the way our property is appraised.

There is no reason these same officials have to be greedy just because someone is willing to pay outrageous prices for property. The school tax is the most outrageous.

Donna Van Baalen Port Aransas

Concern for all

I am greatly distressed by our recent appraisal and the city council's lack of support. Certainly the permanent residents of Port Aransas are being taxed out of their homes, but homesteaded property can only be increased 10 percent a year maximum.

Those of us who own second homes or commercial property in Port Aransas are suffering huge increases because we cannot benefit from the homestead exemption. We have owned our second home at The Pelican for 22 years, and in the last five years our appraisal value has increased 246 percent, and this last year the increase is 76 percent.

If the city council is solely concerned about single property values, what will happen when rental property and business owners must increase prices even higher to offset the tax increases? The permanent residents will see their livelihoods impacted as the tourists will be unable or unwilling to pay for the increases.

Please, city council, be concerned about all of the appraisals and not just single property rates.

Pam Pamplin

Plano and Port Aransas

Don't forget us!

I followed with interest the comments in a recent issue of the South Jetty regarding the out of sight property appraisals in Port Aransas. It certainly is easy to understand the unhappiness of the local population.

I am bothered, however, with what seems to be a lack of concern among council members for the situation of second home owners. It probably is correct. as Charles Bujan states, that 60 percent of the homes in town are second homes. What does that have to do with the burden these second homeowners bear?

Here in Chicago, there are no money trees, just like Port Aransas. I like the people, the beach, and Port Aransas itself, but I like the Gulf area of Florida, too. Port Aransas has had an advantage in affordability over Florida. That was important at the point of our purchase. Some second homeowners may be wealthy, but most are probably not. Seventy and 80 percent tax increases affect the affordability of second homes.

I want the council members to represent all owners, not just the year around residents. The economy of the town is tied to tourism, which in turn uses second homes to house many of these visitors. All of this generates sales and tax revenues.

Please represent all owners in your efforts against these appraisals. We chose you; now it is your chance to choose us.

Jim O'Connor Chicago