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Pasco Letters to the Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2007

A Mother's Warning

Regarding 'Woman Struck By SUV Dies From Her Injuries,' Oct. 18:

First, I would like to thank Tribune staff writer Lisa Davis for her coverage of Pasco County.

Second, please tell your readers and bloggers about the dangers of speeding.

There have been too many young lives shattered by speeding. I have read so many articles about traffic fatalities that it's my turn to speak up.

My son was speeding on his new motorcycle at 120 mph north on Interstate 10 around New Orleans in June 2006. Out of nowhere he came upon a van. Yes, he died suddenly. He was decapitated, and his insides were scattered about a half-mile.

Also, the mother of a young girl here in the Bay area is going public about her daughter being killed in an accident that involved speeding. I forgot the names involved; my apology to them. However, the message is the same. I thank God my son was not in a car that was speeding and ended up incapacitated, like in another situation in the Bay area.

Last year we lost as many lives on Florida highways as we did in the Iraq war. And that's only one midsized state. Find the statistics and ratios related to highway deaths and categorize them: speed, alcohol, drugs, underage drinkers, ages, etc.

Anyone who knows Hicks Road in Hudson can tell you that many people are up and down that narrow stretch every day. There is a little hill and valley near Dan Street. I'm not saying that the driver of the SUV was speeding. Hicks is so narrow that even the posted speed is dangerous. Hicks gives you no place to go if you come over a hill crest and find someone in the road.

Many children ride bikes on Hicks without helmets. Speaking of which, what happened to the bicycle helmet law?

Thank you for listening.

JODI NEELD

Land O' Lakes

Time To Reflect

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Month. On Nov. 8 we will participate in National Candle Lighting Day. It is a good time for us to stop for a minute and consider the impact of Alzheimer's on patients now suffering from it and the implications for the future.

Currently, this terrible disease is affecting approximately 5 million people in the United States alone. It affects 1 in 10 at 65 years of age and 1 in 2 at 85. With baby boomers advancing in age, experts predict that 14 to 16 million people will be affected by the year 2030.

Those who are, or have been, caregivers of an Alzheimer's patient know the tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain involved.

The Alzheimer's Family Organization is a local organization that offers a number of services and programs to help families dealing with the many responsibilities of giving care to an Alzheimer's or dementia patient.

Memory loss is the first indicator that a person may have a problem, possibly the early stage of Alzheimer's or other dementia. It is very important to get a diagnosis early in the process. This allows valuable time for the patient and family to make unhurried decisions on medical treatment available and address important financial concerns.

On Nov. 13 we will offer free memory screening to anyone who feels he or she may be experiencing memory loss.

For further information about either of these events, please contact our main office at (727) 848-8888 or toll free at 888-496-8004.

DOMINICK DE PETRILLO

New Port Richey

A Grand Welcome

Community Aging & Retirement Services (CARES) would like to thank the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, CARES' Zephyrhills Community Center volunteer staff and instructors and members of the community who helped make the Zephyrhills center's open house on Oct. 9 an outstanding event.

We especially appreciate the efforts by center director Barbara Munroe and assistant Larry Munroe to ensure that the open house was a success.

We are very pleased that 225 people turned out to learn about the services and classes offered by the center, which is located at 5320 1st St. in Zephyrhills.

CARES' centers offer a variety of recreational, educational and social programs for seniors. Attendees at the Zephyrhills Center open house had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the programs and classes offered, including knitting, art, sign language, Spanish, computer skills and many more.

The Zephyrhills community has been very receptive to the services and programs the CARES Zephyrhills Community Center offers. We look forward to continuing to serve that community to the best of our ability for many years to come.

Volunteers are always welcome. Anyone interested in supporting the center by volunteering can call (813) 788-0471 or (813) 293-0987.

BILL AYCRIGG

Port Richey

Call The Mayor

Regarding 'Senior Obstacles,' letters, Oct. 12:

Anita Drennon's excuse for not going to downtown Zephyrhills is really lousy!

Those sidewalks were put in place some nine years ago and not just recently. Besides being very attractive, they are almost as smooth for walking as a poured cement sidewalk.

I challenge Ms. Drennon to walk the downtown sidewalks with me and show me where the rough spots are to which she refers.

Also, the city council approved the streetscape, but, of course, City Manager Steve Spina has to take the brunt of it because of the fact that few people check the validity of their statements or information or attend council meetings before lashing out at the city manager.

I am a senior citizen. I have been walking those sidewalks for 10 years. I just did it again on my morning walk.

Ms. Drennon's excuse for not going downtown is a poor one and most certainly not valid. She needs to find another 'excuse' to not visit our downtown.

If Ms. Drennon would like to meet me and walk the street between U.S. 301 and 10th Street together, please call city hall, and they will forward me your phone number. Or look me up in the telephone book if you prefer.

I await your call!

W. CLIFF MCDUFFIE

Zephyrhills

Help Less Fortunate

It is said that of all the holidays celebrated, Thanksgiving is the favorite. No presents to buy; no decorations to unpack, display and repack. It's an acceptable opportunity to eat anything and everything regardless of fat grams, purely for the sake of tradition.

Christian Social Services is beginning our 20th 'Share-the-Season' campaign by providing a wonderful Thanksgiving basket to our less fortunate neighbors. A donation of $25 will provide everything, from the turkey to the pumpkin pie.

Please share with CSS in this wonderful tradition of blessing the poor so they can be thankful for the goodness of God.

We thank you for sending your gift today or by Nov. 21.

JACQUIE PETET

Land O' Lakes

The writer is executive director of the Alzheimer's Family Organization, 7626 Congress St., New Port Richey, 34653, or P.O. Box 1939, New Port Richey, 34656-1939. The writer is president and chief executive officer of Community Aging & Retirement Services

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