THE WAR OF THE WORDS IN THE POLK COUNTY GOP

The all-Republican Polk County Commission is seriously considering a record property tax hike to make up the over half-billion dollar gap in roads, parks, and other services. Last month it gave preliminary approval to an increase that could hit some taxpayers as much as 30 percent. It would be the first property tax hike at all in a dozen years.

The proposal caused the Polk County Republican Executive Committee to approve sharply worded letters of reprimand to four of the five commissioners last month.

Now the Lakeland Ledger reports that a series of letters have been exchanged between Commissioner Paul Senft, considered the strongest supporter of the tax hike, and county GOP chairman Eric Allen. In one of those letters, Allen threatened to not back Senft in a reelection bid next year if he follows through in supporting the proposal in a final vote. Senft had accused the REC of showing an "embarrassing . . . lack of knowledge and understanding," and of "blindly follow(ing) the lead of unverified rhetoric" in failing to offer constructive alternatives.

Senft is not usually one to be dallied about with. He is Florida's National Committeeman. But don't you like it when Republicans go after each other?