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Pasco Letters To Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2007

Safer Energy Source

In his letter ('Jackson No Journalist,' Oct. 3) Carl Roth makes arguments that we believe must be addressed. His questioning of Tribune columnist Tom Jackson's integrity is unwarranted, and to imply that Jackson is moonlighting with our company is scurrilous.

Further, Pasco's tipping fees, which we propose to be $27 per ton, will be a matter of legal contract and was provided in our letter proposal to the county Feb. 6, 2007. Additionally, we will build and run a recycling facility for the county free of charge.

The immutable fact is that the county incinerator was a good choice when it was built, but modern technology has changed the equation. Environmental watchdog groups, including the Sierra Club, agree.

Leftover incineration ash can be extremely toxic with concentrated amounts of heavy metals and must be landfilled. Further, incinerators emit a wide range of hazardous air pollutants in their stack gases, including dioxins, which are byproducts of combustion and known to cause a wide range of adverse health effects.

The composting of organic materials within a modern landfill (bioreactor landfilling) produces 'green' energy by capturing gases that would otherwise be discharged to the atmosphere. The EPA classifies this new technology as a renewable source of energy, which explains why Waste Management has announced plans to convert 60 of their facilities to 'green' energy plants in the U.S. over the next 5 years.

JOHN ARNOLD

Dade City

Wal-Mart A 'Class' Act

When Wal-Mart moves into an area, it does so with class.

Wal-Mart works with each community to adhere to zoning requirements and often makes contributions to community necessities, such as road projects. Wal-Mart successfully creates jobs, provides affordable shopping opportunities and donates time and money to community charities.

Wal-Mart continues to make advancements in the area of being environmentally conscious. One example is that Wal-Mart has been equipping its newer stores with skylights so they can conserve electricity during the daytime hours by dimming fluorescent lighting when sunlight is providing an adequate source of light.

I think Wal-Mart has gone above and beyond the call of duty in Pasco County, and it's time for the Pasco County Development Review Committee to allow Wal-Mart to begin its project on State Road 54 in Holiday.

ALFIE BRISBEN

Hudson

Retailer Plays By Rules

For at least the past year the Pasco County Development Review Committee has been delaying Wal-Mart's proposed project in Holiday. I support this project, as well as any other project that follows zoning requirements in Pasco County.

I know that Wal-Mart historically has a hard time getting off the ground regardless of the community they are trying to expand in, but I believe that rules were put in place for a reason.

Wal-Mart has followed the rules in Pasco, and it's time that we, at the very least, acknowledge their efforts and allow them to move forward with their Holiday project.

SHIRLEY MOBLEY

Wesley Chapel

Expensive Rain

Pasco County commissioners want everybody to pay $47 for a stormwater fee because of rainwater. Gov. Charlie Crist cannot do anything about it, especially since it's not a property tax.

Rainwater - this is not funny. What will they think up next?

Where is this money going? My guess is New Port Richey.

They say they're going to cut back in government services. Here in east Pasco, they have been doing that for years.

KENNETH E. KIEFER

Zephyrhills

The writer is project manager for Angelo's Aggregate Materials.

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