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Pasco Letters to Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

Part Of Nature

Regarding "Hometown Democracy Gives Voters A Say In Development" by Arthur Hayhoe, My View, Oct. 21:

No matter where one stands on the global warming debate, we should accept that we are, indeed, all a part of the geography in which we live. Be it fire or hurricane, flood or drought, nature is all around us, and we are a part of this nature.
Overdevelopment and lack of water and infrastructure are not simple financial-based issues. They are, indeed, life-based issues - the most basic of life-based issues.
Common sense must prevail and be a part of any discussion within county, state and federal governments. The population is an integral part of any county, state or nation, and it must be a part of any decision.

Population means life, not tax base. This seems to have been lost amid attorneys, finances, business and tourism. Hayhoe has emerged as the common-sense voice for a large segment of the population of Pasco County - the population governed by common sense and insight.

It is time to protect Pasco County. It is time to stand up and be counted, not only as Pasco residents but as Americans who understand that we are the voice and the present who will determine the future.

It's our choice.

PENO HARDESTY

New Port Richey

Waiting On Service

First of all, I would like to thank the person who has to drive all the way to my farm to deliver my newspaper every morning, dodging potholes on unlit streets made of concrete that are rarely patched with asphalt. (Gee, I wonder why that doesn't fix the problem.) And then they have to turn on a private road which is maintained by my neighbor and me.

Second, I would like to thank Pasco County commissioners for charging me an "impact fee," labeled as a "transportation fee," of almost $4,000 simply because I am selling my mobile home and replacing it with a larger model.

After playing telephone tag with county permitting and zoning for hours one day recently, the conclusion is: I wasted my day.

So it appears that in order for my wife and me to have a home that we have waited for, it will cost us about $4,000 more than anticipated. The transportation fee is designed to repair and maintain county roads and should already be included in property taxes.

It appears the only way county roads will be repaired correctly will be when I purchase bags of ready-mix concrete and do it myself. Thanks for nothing, county commissioners. Enjoy your day.

J.D. RICHMOND

Crystal Springs

School Bus Safety

I would like to take a moment to recognize the hard work and tremendous efforts of our school bus drivers in Pasco County. With over 36,750 students transported daily, Pasco County is the 40th-largest provider of school transportation services in the nation.

Last year, Pasco County school buses traveled 7,468,871 miles as they safely transported our students to and from school. The ultimate multitasker, a school bus driver must maintain control of students while abiding by all traffic rules and safety regulations. Our community is fortunate to have a team of such highly-skilled professionals working with our children.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to remind all motorists to use safety precautions around bus stops and school zones. Please pay careful attention to the flashing lights that indicate you are traveling in a school zone, and look for the stopping arms as you approach our buses, as they signify that children are attempting to safely enter or exit the bus.

With continued patience and a heightened state of awareness, we can ensure the continued safety of all students.

HEATHER FIORENTINO

Land O' Lakes

Jackson Owes Apology

Regarding "Main Street: Still Landing On A Sore Spot," Tom Jackson, Oct. 30:

Tom Jackson's unwarranted comments about my early departure from the Main Street association's dinner last week, which he predicated upon his comments about the Main Street Landing project, that I most likely left because of thin skin, left me wondering why he thought anything he could say about that could disturb me.

Jackson should have taken the time to find out that I had, in fact, indicated by e-mail and in person to Judy Thomas, the dinner organizer, that I would have to leave the dinner early to attend to matters that pertained to my aging and ailing mother - details which would require me to be up very early the next day so that I could, indeed, be with my mother.

Nor did Jackson know that I had apologized to my friend and incoming Main Street president, Tony Bula, for missing his final speech at that dinner. This is what people with manners do. However, without knowing this, Jackson chose to weave his own mean-spirited tale about why I most likely left early, which could not be further from the truth.

Well, he was wrong, and I think he owes me an apology.

MARILYNN DECHANT

New Port Richey

The writer is superintendent of Pasco County public schools. The writer is a city councilwoman.

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