Treasure Island Florida City Government

Gulf Beach News

Barfly Tag

Beginning January 1st, Florida drivers will have yet another choice when it comes to purchasing a license plate for their vehicle. Governor Bush recently signed a bill allowing the sales of a new specialty tag which originated right here in Treasure Island.

Last year Treasure Island resident Rufus T. Firefly was labeled a “Bar Fly” by a City Commissioner. At first Rufus was hurt and insulted by the Commissioner’s remark but after giving the incident further thought, Rufus decided it was time for him and others who were labeled Bar Flys by the Commissioner to take a stand and fight for Bar Fly rights.

Rufus realized that if he was going to take the lead in the battle to protect Bar Flys he was going to need a source of revenue to finance his effort. Upon seeing countless specialty tags on Florida registered vehicles, Rufus decided it was time for the State to have a “Bar Fly” specialty tag.

Rufus created and collected the thousands of signatures required for a tag to be considered by the State Legislature and submitted them to his local state representative. A Bill was created for the establishment of the “Bar Fly Tag” and it quickly passed through the State House and Senate. The Governor then signed the bill into law.

The new tag features the art work of renowned “Bar Fly” artist Hugo Hackenbush and is the only “Bar Fly” specialty tag available in the United States.

The “Bar Fly” tag cost $15.00 above the cost of a normal license plate and funds generated by sales of the tag will be used for:

Creation of bar and or saloon only conservation areas in every community.

Protection of endangered or potentially endangered “Bar Flys”.

Creation of “Bar Fly” retirement areas.

Provide funds to pay bar tabs for needy “Bar Flys”.

Promote research and understanding of the “Bar Fly”.

The “Bar Fly Tag” is sure to be one of Florida’s most popular specialty tags and T I Beach Bums encourages our readers to visit your local tag office today to purchase a “Bar Fly Tag”