Letters to the Editor

Take dog park back

I’m angry. I am a Winter Park resident, and I am offended and insulted by the so-called “Friends” of Fleet Peeples Park.

This group is no friend of Winter Park, as evidenced by the plethora of disturbing and malicious postings on their website and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/FleetPeeples) by FFPP officer Sandy Womble and others berating our sitting city commissioners and any and all city residents who disagree with them. Their continual bullying and name-calling of those who share differing opinions is bad for the community, is dangerous and gives our city a black eye.

With Friends like these, who needs enemies?

Sandy Womble wrote to her members the following about two weeks ago: “I think you all have a right to be angry and upset. I can’t help but wonder why (City Commissioners) Carolyn (Cooper) and Tom (McMacken) were so available during the campaigning but disappeared off the radar after their election. I’ve heard they are sick of it — pity them. For those of you who I told to vote for Carolyn and Tom, I’m deeply sorry. I had no idea, and I feel as betrayed as you do.”

The above leads me to a second concern that must be brought to the attention of Winter Park residents as well as to the commissioners and city manager — this group is in violation of its 501(c)(3) status. The IRS clearly states, “all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.

“Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.”

“Friends” of Fleet Peeples Park more closely resembles a political action committee (PAC) for the purpose of controlling one of the largest parks within our city, a park that was deeded to the city for use by the general public and a park, that by city policy, is to provide public lake access to its citizens. During 2010, they have repeatedly refused to disclose who their members are and refused to give any of the $45,000 they have raised to the city of Winter Park for which their members’ donations were earmarked. Money given operates the PAC’s political agenda. They promise to inform their members of those candidates for the coming spring elections who will vote their way.

Winter Park residents should be outraged. Commissioners should sever any relationship with this group and take back what rightfully belongs to the taxpaying citizens of our city. Investigative reporters should investigate FFFP and tell the public how under the guise of a “friends” group and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt group, they are spending their money and involving themselves in political debate, public policy and future elections.

—Herbert Weiss

Winter Park Parks and Recreation Board Member

Fees lose city money

The City Commission of Winter Park is determined to push the fees at Fleet Peeples Park down our throats no matter what the cost. I had to laugh at a letter to the editor that applauded the commissioners in being fiscally responsible for charging the fees at the park. Apparently, he did not know the costs of charging the fees.

The costs are now more than $75,000 to collect the fees, enforce the fees and maintain the waste disposal stations. The city did not have to purchase the waste bags — they were supplied by the Friends of Fleet Peeples Park and the businesses that sponsored each station. They now have to spend about $4,500 for the bags, $60,000 for two enforcement officers and $10,180 to install and operate the vending machine to issue the day passes at the park.

The Parks Department has estimated bringing in $43,000 in revenue for charging the fees.

Now you don’t have to be smarter than a fifth-grader, commissioners, to see that is a loss of more than $30,000. So how is that being good stewards of our tax money? Weather you have a dog, cat, or no animal at all, as a taxpayer, you should be outraged at them losing this kind of money on something that is not necessary!

We as taxpayers and voters need to remind the commissioners that they have to answer to us. We do not have to answer to them. That is our money you are losing at the dog park. What budget will this loss be taken out of to cover? The police budget? The fire department budget? The school budget? That money has to come from somewhere, unless we have an abundant overage in the budget.

I have been a single parent for 14 years and have put three of my four children through college and have one in college now. To do that, we had to sacrifice and do without things we wanted. When they wanted a $100 pair of Nikes, I had to say no, we cannot afford it. Especially when I only had $20 in the bank. So it is time to tell the commissioners, no! We cannot afford it; there is no money to do it.

—Michael Palumbo

Winter Park