Frequently we are asked who writes our column, "In Your Corner," for the News. It is a good question that we try to answer each year. The column is a compilation of comments and suggestions received from our membership and board members. Our president does not write it even though the president's name is accredited to each column.

The content of each writing is meant to be current and expresses the viewpoint of the majority of our communication committee members. Often there is disagreement among our members as to our taken position. Our column is meant to create honest discussion and sound thought.

We do not endorse any political point of view and are not beholden to any group to espouse their positions. We hope to stimulate and educate without preaching. We try to look at the big picture and take the long-term point of view. Often our positions are not popular, particularly when we point out problems in an organization or what we see as unfairness to the overall good of the community.

We are not "against" anyone or any group. Take for an example our disappointment with the wage and labor negotiations with our local firefighters. We agree that these people are as hard working and vital a group as exists. We were, and remain, concerned about the far-reaching impacts of those negotiations, not so much about what the firefighters received but what other public employees now could expect.

Another example was the closure of our local landfill. We feared being held hostage by our service provider. We have repeatedly warned our County Commission about overspending in good times with no fear of bad times. Recent hurricanes have proved this point.

Recently we received an e-mail from a member of our organization questioning our stance on the sales tax increase. This Association did not oppose land preservation or conservation or recreation. We opposed the sales tax because we could not see a clear plan for the management and expenditure of the millions of dollars -- we were told almost $20 million per year -- of public money. We did not agree that "tax now; plan later" was good public policy. We continue to stand by our position. In the future, if presented with a plan that has clear goals to solve defined needs, we will reconsider our stance. We are not against public expenditure; we are against wasting the public's money.

These articles, which are prepared by Taxpayers Association members working together, appear on this page on alternate Saturdays. Your comments, ideas or questions are welcome. Call or fax 288-0474 or write to P.O. Box 741, Stuart 34995. E-mail (admin@mctaxpayers.org) or visit the Web site mctaxpayers.org.