Fun With Scammers

If you have an extra 10 or 15 minutes and want to annoy folks who annoy you by attempting to relieve you of your cash, I’ve found this to be a fun activity.

I‘ve received several mailed letters headlined: “Response to this notice requested” and indicating it is my “Final Notice.”  I receive one of these “final notices” almost monthly.

They add a sense of urgency saying, “Your property’s home warranty may be expiring or has already expired.” There is no company name, logo or return address on the letter, just a phone number.

Out of curiosity I called their 1-800 number and talked to someone named Robin. This gal was one of the most unfriendly, curt customer representative I’ve ever had on the other end of a phone. She sounded weary and angry. Maybe she was tired of folks swearing at her and hanging up.

I asked about this alleged home warranty plan that she described as covering everything in the house that’s plugged in as well as plumbing, etc. For just $220 down and $4,200 she explained I could “renew” my expired warranty for three years.

She said the original warranty expired after a year. When I asked if she could send me  a copy of the original warranty, she said the original lender and/or relator who handled the sale had it and I’d have to contact them. I asked her for a copy. No dice.

When I told her that I thought she was part of  scam she became indignant, explaining how ethical she was. I thanked her for her time and hung up.

Many years ago, Don Imus used to devote a segment of his then Cleveland-based radio show to calling various businesses and asking absurd questions. It was hilarious and at the end he admitted who he was and both parties chuckled. I think it would be fun to call folks that pepper us with unsolicited mailers recording their sales pitches for a podcast that  would be equally entertaining.

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On A Serious Note: The Florida Realtors association launched a campaign Wednesday, Sept. 9, in support of  Amendment 3, the proposed state constitutional amendment that would expand homestead property tax exemptions and lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead properties. The amendment is on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

.Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with annual inflation adjustments beginning in 2029. The expanded exemption would not apply to school district property taxes.

The proposal would also reduce the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10 percent to 5 percent. That provision would apply to properties including rentals, second homes and commercial real estate.

Even Democrats have a hard time arguing against a “Yes” vote as the amendment’s passage is an “affordability” issue enabling homeowners to stay in their property longer, particularly seniors on fixed incomes.

Don’t renters as well as home owners benefit from a “Yes” vote since property owners traditionally raise rents to cover their cost of a tax increase?

The amendment would additionally require the Legislature to establish a uniform process allowing counties and municipalities to further increase homestead exemptions, potentially up to a property’s fully assessed value. Special districts could also provide additional property tax relief with voter approval.

Constitutional amendments in Florida require approval from at least 60 percent of voters. If approved, the measure would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Why would a property owner or renter vote against this since  a “Yes” vote is in their own best financial interests?

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Speaking of Elections: I received my sample ballot in the mail the other day and have made up my mind on all the issues and candidates except the Amelia Island Mosquito Control District as I don’t know either candidate and I’m not sure what this organization does.

Two candidate are running for City of Fernandina Beach Mayor: Genece Minshew and Tim Poynter. I’m inclined not to cast a vote there as based on their previous performances; I’m not a fan of either one.

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Is It Only Me Or….does Fernandina Beach City Commissioner Genece Minshew always look like a marmot just crawled up her leg?

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A Not So Nutty Tip: Peanuts are my favorite snack food.

Last Tuesday as I was sitting with some of my grumpy pals at the local American Legion Post quaffing a beer and munching shelled salted peanuts I was reminded of an article that the late columnist editor, essayist, author and TV personality William Buckley wrote for “National Review” some 45 years ago titled “A Paean to Peanut Butter,”

In addition to peanut butter, Mr. Buckley described George Washington Carver’s discovery of some 300 other uses for the peanut.

He reported that the peanut is loaded with food value adding: “pound for pound peanuts have more protein, minerals, and vitamins than beef liver, more fat than heavy cream,  and more food energy (calories) than sugar”.

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A Quote Worth Repeating: “Transgenderism is the only mental illness demanding the rest of society adopts the patient’s delusion as part of the patient’s treatment” – Dr. Paul McHugh, Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry, Jon Hopkins School of Medicine.

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Tax Planning Tip: If you’re anticipating a large tax refund next year then you may have overpaid the IRS. Scoring a tax refund doesn’t mean you beat the system or your tax preparer works miracles, it means you overpaid your taxes this year. A tax refund is not found money, it’s your money being returned to you, money you could have had months earlier. The bigger your refund, the more you overpaid throughout the year.

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Oompah: The 2nd Annual PJD’s Oktoberfest in downtown Fernandina Beach takes place tomorrow, Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (with some activities extending until 7:00 PM). Festivities are centered around 2nd Street and Center Street (near PJD’s Beer and Wine Garden at 12 South 2nd Street).