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Pasco Letters to Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

Not A Foreign Concept

I read with interest Art Hayhoe's recent letter, "Keep Decisions Local," and would like to respond to his concerns.

It appeared Hayhoe's points boiled down to this: State government can't be trusted to oversee a solid waste facility; local government can be relied upon; and private business - including our company - can't operate a solid waste facility.

On the first point, I'm sure we could point to some failures of any state government; however, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is considered one of the pre-eminent environmental authorities and regulates both public and private facilities equally. We welcome their strict oversight and know, from personal experience, they are persistent and unyielding.

It was Florida's past experience with the failures of old landfill designs - basically unlined dumps that were entombed - where policymakers realized the state needed a strong and effective DEP. This brings me to Hayhoe's second point - having blind faith in local government.

While we currently are blessed with extremely competent government in Pasco County, we have to acknowledge that one of the worst failing landfills mentioned above sits in east Pasco and was created under local government. Much of it is unlined, and it has leaked for years.

We have forwarded, as part of our plan, proposals to clean up the failing parts of the county landfill. With our state-of-the-art technology we can recycle the metals and plastics in the landfill and create compost from the remainder of the waste.

Further, we have offered to take the first 25,000 tons of waste from the county for free. This is how we would handle all trash sent to our proposed composting and recycling facility, in an environmentally friendly way that saves taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Yes, we are a private company, and we could not be prouder of our reputation. We have a 50-year track record. Our family of companies employs more than 2,000 full-time workers and generates annual revenues of more than $400 million.

As far as our relationship with government, we have completed thousands of public sector projects in 18 states. Our performance and reputation with these state and local governments are unparalleled. My father began recycling concrete back around 1960 - years before the first Earth Day and the concept of recycling came into vogue.

Nationally, approximately 75 percent of landfills are privately run, and, interestingly, a private company operates the county trash incinerator. It is not such a foreign concept.

DOMINIC IAFRATE

Tarpon Springs

Lift Issue To State Level

Regarding "Keep Decisions Local":

While Arthur Hayhoe brings a very valid point forward of keeping local rule in place, he fails to recognize the truth in my actions dealing with the proposed east Pasco landfill.

First, I was fully aware of the landfill. My office has been involved in the Dade City landfill issue since February when, per the request of my Pasco constituents, I sent a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection asking them to address local concerns about the landfill. I was told the application would be properly scrutinized and the county commission would ultimately have to make the final land use decision.

After meeting with constituents and Dade City officials, I decided to file legislation that I have been cultivating that will elevate local environmental debates to the state level, where improvements in existing policies can be identified in a manner that is engaging and deliberative for all stakeholders. The legislation will address improving statewide policy on waste disposal and preservation of potable water quality.

Hayhoe is right when he says there will be an army of special interest lobbyists working against us, but he is wrong if he thinks we should not at least try protecting what is important to our communities and quality of life.

Being complacent is to do nothing at all, and that would not benefit our citizens.

VICTOR D. CRIST

Tampa

A Magical Letter

My 7-year-old daughter wrote a letter to Santa Claus on her own. She asked for a stamp. I told her I would get one later and help her address her letter. But she went to the mailbox, raised the red flag and put her letter in the box.

I knew the mailman wouldn't take an unstamped letter, so I checked the mailbox after he delivered the day's mail. Apparently, the mailman collected an unstamped letter addressed simply to Santa, with no return address. Thus, my plan to intercept my daughter's letter was undermined. Oh well.

But on Dec. 18, my daughter received a letter addressed simply to "Payton, 6844 Washington St." in the mail from Santa Claus. (Was it from the New Port Richey post office?)

How wonderful that someone - the mailman or another New Port Richey post office employee? - took the time to note her name, write down her address, respond and make a 7-year-old smile.

She's trying very hard to still "believe," but I think this helped keep the magic alive for her just a little bit longer.

VALERIE DRAKE-ALTMAN

New Port Richey

Merry Christmas

Regarding "Respect Should Be Integral Part of Christmas, Holidays," Dec. 23:

While the title indicates a conciliatory manner, the content does not. Since this country is approximately 86 percent Christian, I do not understand why a Christian holiday must not receive the same respect as any other religion.

Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Rosh Hashana or Hanukkah are not relegated to "happy holidays." These holidays are spoken of and greeted by others by their original names.

Christmas deserves the same respect.

SANDRA LAKE

Tampa

The writer is vice president of Angelo's Recycled Materials. The writer represents District 12 in the Florida Senate.

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