Dear Editor,
Governance is not about a group of people dictating to a population and the people meekly following, it is about doing what is best for a population. The recent evaluation of properties and subsequent property tax demonstrates a lack of understanding of the government’s responsibility in this area.
As someone who successfully completed a property valuation course years ago in the USA, I can say with a fair degree of authority that our evaluators locally subscribe to acceptable international standards. In summary properties are valued by examining the market value of comparable properties in a similar area and additions or deductions are ascribed based on the physical condition of the property.
It is unfair to a homeowner to indicate that because his property can be rented for more than another because of upgrades that can include non-physical attributes that he or she must pay more than another with a similar property.
Furthermore, it is unfair and almost persecutory to ask homeowners to pay property tax while businesses get a break. The Government must review its property assessment model and reexamine the entire property tax imbroglio.
Another area where the Government simply acts with a heavy hammer with little regard for the citizen is that of points on one’s driver’s license. Under the current structure a citizen can leave home with no points and despite driving safely, at the end of the day have his license confiscated. This is so because points are awarded for non-moving violations like parking violations. There are provisions for points reduction through attending a driver rehabilitation programme. Information on these programmes should be made available to the public. I strongly suggest that the points system be restructured to allow for point to be awarded for moving violations only.
Another area for consideration ought to be the firearm’s users permit (FUL) laws. Consideration should be given to an approval committee and not subject to the approval of the commissioner of police only. Secondly, homeowners should be able to access a firearm for home protection only. Such a permit should not allow for that person to transport a loaded gun to or from the home. The gun should be transported in a separate compartment of the car from that of the ammunition. The recently instituted system of FUL yearly inspection and fees should be discontinued immediately as it is unfair to those who have been FUL holders for many years.
In general, laws and structures should be enacted to improve quality of life.
Efforts should be made to make accessing government services friendly and simple. And every bit of law that can make the citizen feel safe, that can make the system of justice seem fair and expeditious should be considered.
Governments are place in office to serve the people and not to be worshipped and served by those who elected them to office.
God Bless Our Nation.
Steve Alvarez