Quote:
Originally Posted by jbdlfan
I do agree with you that TV has provided opportunities for this area. But that has never been my point in my responses here. The idea that an affluent community, compared to most of the surrounding area, would get ANY money to supplement the squares to me is disgusting. The ironic part of this argument is that so many folks in this area claim to be fiscal conservatives but are ready to accept tax money for entertainment, entertainment......unbelievable to me.....
As far as the sense of entitlement comment, I stand by it.
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Once again, you do not object to the vast contributions Villagers make to Sumter County schools, public safety outside the Villages, roads not in the Villages, libraries and other services throughout the county. Villagers pay the lion's share of operating ALL of Sumter County without the expectation of personal return on their tax dollar.
Between 1940 and 1960, the population of Sumter was steady at around 11,000. The subsequent population growth occurred from the 70's to today at 97,756. The Villages certainly is the "culprit". My rough numbers, subject to empirical and precise review suggests conservatively that the 80,000 Villagers in Sumter carry the preponderance of the county's tax burden.
1870 United States Census - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1860 1,549
—
1870 2,952 90.6%
1880 4,686 58.7%
1890 5,363 14.4%
1900 6,187 15.4%
1910 6,696 8.2%
1920 7,851 17.2%
1930 10,644 35.6%
1940 11,041 3.7%
1950 11,330 2.6%
1960 11,869 4.8%
1970 14,839 25.0%
1980 24,272 63.6%
1990 31,577 30.1%
2000 53,345 68.9%
2010 93,420 75.1
It is interesting that you cite entertainment three times in your rant. Many would call it culture. How do you feel about culture and the arts? The squares are open to all Sumter residents. Have you ever been to one of the squares? Have you ever taken in a movie? Been to a recital at Church on the Square? Been to an art exhibit on the square? Have you been to a craft show where local artisans display and sell the products of their talent or an antique car show on the square? Many, many Sumter residents outside of the Villages do enjoy the entertainment and culture.
The available math says that the matching grant is for $60,000. There are 97,756 residents in Sumter. That would mean the per capita contribution to support entertainment enjoyed by thousands of county residents would be sixty one cents ($.61) per resident. I would not be considered an "affluent or wealthy" person with an entitlement mentality but would be happy to pick up your share of the grant.