Officer Gator you are being so small minded it's silly. The population of your state increase significantly when snowbirds are in town. Naturally tickets and accidents will increase.
But the bottom line is these snowbirds are speeding and driving poorly to stores and restaurants. The additional revenue that they create ultimately pays your salary. Additional Revenue makes a lot of things possible particularly jobs. Don't be naive enough to believe your jurisdiction could survive without the snowbirds.
Imagine if there were no snowbirds. There would be fewer accidents and 5 copy forms to process. There would be less revenue to pay public servants. But there would also be fewer public servants required.
Maybe instead of seeing the snowbirds as a burden you could try catering to them and view them as job security. While snowbirds certainly require additional services Fl benefits more than it loses when they are there.
Many years ago Florida State Parks charged a premium for people from out of state to camp, it lasted about 2 years since the parks were empty during the winter tourist season and they were losing money, so they dropped it.
maybe the state parks should start charging more for non fla.residents again and see what happens . its supply and demand the snowbirds will still come and the parks will make more money.
Lantley,
Next time a snowbird blows a red light and plows into the side of a minivan I will be sure to send your sentiments right along to the victim. Hey buddy, sorry about your car, but you know that snowbird was heading to a restaurant which keeps us all in business. No offense, but we have the same number of public servants here during the summer as we do the winter. In all actuality the number of fire, police and EMS servants are about what we need during the summer. The snowbirds tax our services, and with budget constraints you know darn well we dont sit around doing nothing during the summer.
Its funny, I just went to the NAPA to pick up a new fuse holder for my inverter. In the parking lot, Cadillac SUV, engine running, keys in vehicle, no one in sight. Montana plates. On the way home I get cut off, almost in a crash, Indiana plates. I couldnt wait to get home and post this, just more facts.
I dont deny the revenue generated by an increase of the population. I believe that if you look back at my earlier post I welcome the snowbirds to come down and enjoy paradise. I am not your typical Fl Native that says welcome to Fl, now go home. The only thing I think we all ask is you treat OUR HOME, that you are visiting with a little respect, and have respect for the people that live and work here. That is the only thing that frustrates me is the fact that most feel as if we owe them something because they are bringing their money! Play by the rules, and be courteous. Working the system that keeps Florida's residents from being able to enjoy our winters while here in our own state is no very respectful or courteous. I believe that is what everyone is trying to say, and it is exactly what I am saying.
officergator--the only "fact" you have given is that the more people on the road, the more accidents". This is a given due to the law of large numbers verses small numbers. Your statement that "drivers over age 60 being responsible for more accident than other drivers minus those under age 20 years of age" is also not accurate.
First of all, to get to this number, are you going to ask all FL residence over age 60 and all FL residence under age 20 to leave the state along with the Snow Birds? The FACTS are that drivers 55 years of age and older "have the cheapest insurance rates of any drivers in the nation and that includes FL". Their accident rate is LESS THAN the average driver, not more as you claim but do not back up with facts "AS THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY DOES. I know, I am a retired Property and Casualty agent from one of the largest insurance companies in the nation. The accident rate of older people is not higher than the average driver until their later years around 80 years of age. MOST of the Snow Birds fall into the classification of the safest drivers on the road PER THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY not officergators numbers which the insurance industry does not use for good reason. Sorry.
The fact that YOU write more tickets for out of state drivers should not surprise anyone. I will not comment on you wearing the proud uniform protection all your local citizens except to say, you swore to protect everyone EQUALLY and based on your attitude about Snow Birds this could be questioned.
As I said before, should these Snow Birds quit coming to your state and mine, a lot of people would lose their jobs, even possible you officergator. As far as you owing them something as one poster said, you do, RESPECT. When you accept their money they are entitled to the use of the states facilities as you are "because they paid for that use".
Gee, I wonder how my great grandparents ever made it without the snowbirds?
I do remember as a kid my grandparents having friends that were down from PA every winter. That was on the East Central coast, and was the first time I can remember hearing the term snowbird. It seemed like the snowbirds didn't discover the Panhandle until long after that, but they have now.
I am a Florida native that resides out of state. I would be more than willing to pay extra to use Florida State parks. I already pay more for an out of state saltwater fishing license. No biggie. They have to pay more to hunt in Georgia.
The issue of having to pay more if you are an out of state resident should not be a big deal to out of towners. It is as simple as finding somewhere to play in your own state if you do not agree with the extra charges.
I'm pretty sure Florida would not fall off the face of the earth if the great folks from up north decided to stay at home and shovel snow during the winter. There is only one way to find out, and we all know that is not going to happen.
Don't you think you state park users are being a little selfish?
You want a law passed reserving 40% of the sites for FL residence. Do you believe you are the only ones affected by these Snow Birds? How about the golfers? Should there be a law that the courses, especially the city and county courses reserve 40% of the tee times for FL residence? After all, they are there for the enjoyment of the year round citizens who paid for them? How about the restaurants, the museums, the movies when new releases open? Should 40% of their seats or passes be held for full time residence? After all, if you did not frequent their establishments all year they would have to close their doors. Why should FL residence have to wait longer to play golf, eat at their favorite restaurant or visit their favorite museum.
Now what are we going to do about all the Snow Birds taking all the key spots on the fishing pier or the beach? Reserve 40% for locals? How about all the traffic jams these out of town visitors cause? Should we also not limit the number on the roads at one time? Working people driving to work have rights too!
I hear all the same complaints here in AZ. Where do you stop? Thats the simple part you stop when there is no longer an access problem for the residents.
officergator wrote: Lantley,
Next time a snowbird blows a red light and plows into the side of a minivan I will be sure to send your sentiments right along to the victim. Hey buddy, sorry about your car, but you know that snowbird was heading to a restaurant which keeps us all in business. No offense, but we have the same number of public servants here during the summer as we do the winter. In all actuality the number of fire, police and EMS servants are about what we need during the summer. The snowbirds tax our services, and with budget constraints you know darn well we don't sit around doing nothing during the summer.
Its funny, I just went to the NAPA to pick up a new fuse holder for my inverter. In the parking lot, Cadillac SUV, engine running, keys in vehicle, no one in sight. Montana plates. On the way home I get cut off, almost in a crash, Indiana plates. I couldn't wait to get home and post this, just more facts.
I don't deny the revenue generated by an increase of the population. I believe that if you look back at my earlier post I welcome the snowbirds to come down and enjoy paradise. I am not your typical Fl Native that says welcome to Fl, now go home. The only thing I think we all ask is you treat OUR HOME, that you are visiting with a little respect, and have respect for the people that live and work here. That is the only thing that frustrates me is the fact that most feel as if we owe them something because they are bringing their money! Play by the rules, and be courteous. Working the system that keeps Florida's residents from being able to enjoy our winters while here in our own state is no very respectful or courteous. I believe that is what everyone is trying to say, and it is exactly what I am saying.
Your observation implies that Fl natives do not break any laws. The only ones running red lights and leaving their engines running are snowbirds. Since snowbirds are not around during the summer I assume their are no accidents or violations then.
When snowbirds do arrive they act the same way in FL as they do at home. You imply that they run red lights and break laws because they are ruthless and deliberately careless. When in fact they are just people going about there daily routine. Accidents and violations are going to happen snowbirds or not.
Fl economy's bread and butter is tourism. It keeps the entire state functioning. Be happy you have snowbirds. The influx of people is not perfect, but the pluses far outweigh the minuses. Be glad you are not in MI or IN or any other area where the bottom has fallen out of the economy. In those areas there are still red light runners and violations. But there is also unemployment and lots of despair. Honestly you don't realize how good you have it.
I'm not a snowbird or a FL native but it seems you have developed a bias toward snowbirds. I imagine this bias impacts the way you apply justice during your daily duties.
When approaching the scene be sure to check the state on the license plate in order to dispense justice appropriately.
In the mean time I'll be sure to stay clear of the snowbirds and the crime wave they bring to FL.
I wonder who would want to stay in FL state parks anyway with all the outlaws from the north hanging around.
I suggest you accept the snowbirds as people enjoying FL just as the FL natives do. They are not there solely to cause Floridians harm or grief. They just want to enjoy the sunshine.
By the way if the state park system is truly that bad sounds like it is time to expand the system.(which can be paid for with hire rates for non residents) to allow more people to enjoy FL state Parks.
Floridians need to pressure there law makers for some sort of change.
Just my observations of 26 snowbird seasons..Holding up checkout lines while sifting through coupons,two for one dinner specials and 2 for 1 drinks, when working people are trying to get a meal oh yeah and staying in state parks cause they are cheaper than trailer parks. Those would be neither Golden nor Silver Gooses as stated earlier.That would be cheap snowbirds. Last time I checked, public servants were paid based on property taxes not liquor taxes,sales tax or gas taxes. Property taxes paid by full time residents and snowbirds who are property owners not tenants of a state park. And yes Florida residents do get in wrecks and sometimes cause them, usually because they are frustrated with snowbirds on the roads while they are trying to get to and from work or run errands on weekends. You tell me why when my wife stops at the grocery store after work she has to wait in line while snowbirds grocery shop. These are the kinds of things I'm sure officergator is trying to make you all understand. It is your lousey it's all about me attitudes because you spend a few bucks in Florida. I know now that one of you will repeat exactly what has already been said by other up north posters. Get the point, it's not all about you when you are down here. There are people whose lively hood depends on snowbirds, mine is not so I could careless if you're here or not.Next, comeon we have to get this thing to 100 posts!!
officergator--according to you, Snow Birds are the only ones in FL who run red lights; have accidents, are rude; have no respect for FL residence and workers; and tax your system.
Is it the Snow Birds fault your city fathers do not add additional help during the winter? Instead, your city fathers chose to save all the tax dollars to pay your and other city employees salaries in the other 8 month when they are not there. That in itself is cheating the Snow Birds and is probably the source of your anger towards this group. You have to work harder when they are there and blame the Snow Birds instead of where the blame really lies, with your city fathers.
I live in Sun City AZ, a 55 and older community of 70K in a county of 3 million people. The average age in Sun City is 75 years of age. Yet Sun City AZ has the lowest car insurance rates and homeowner rates of anywhere in the county. And this is not because of age. A 60 year old in other parts of the county pays more for both car insurance and homeowner rates than the same age per in Sun City. Why? Because there are fewer accidents and less crime being commited by these old folks which blows your theory, not fact, out of the water !!!!
You say the Snow Birds tax your system. Untrue. Snow Birds have fewer wrecks, receive less ticket, commit fewer crimes and other use of police services per capitol than any age group. Therefore, they are using fewer of your services. They "are not taxing your system", your city chooses to "Tax your system" by not spending any of the tax dollars these folks bring to your city while they are there.
You resentment is aimed at the wrong group. Vent your frustrations and anger at your city leaders not the Snow Birds. After all, they did not get a vote when these leaders that decide how your tax dollars are spent were elected.
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