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Pasco Letters to the Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2007

Compost And Recycle

At a time when local governments are tightening their belts, and as our good governor leads the fight to reduce emissions, Pasco County is looking at a costly, taxpayer-funded expansion of an incinerator that spews poisonous greenhouse gas emissions.

What the supposed 'concerned citizens' group, Protectors of Florida's Legacy, does not tell you is that the incinerator they want the county to expand is legally permitted to release poisonous pollutantlike mercury, dioxins and carbon monoxide.

States the Sierra Club's Web site: 'The incineration of municipal solid wastes can cause adverse environmental and health effects through air emissions, toxic ash residue, and the destruction of materials that could be recycled. Thus, incineration is not an acceptable option for management of solid waste.'

The real solution to the ever-present problem rests with us, the people. We have become consumers instead of citizens. We have allowed ourselves to accept the idea that throwing nonbiodegradable but reusable materials into incinerators and landfills is OK.

Now this habit haunts us like a plague. This is unacceptable, and we need to rethink our consumption habits. Recycling, repair and reuse is an idea whose time has come again.

The people involved in this ongoing argument should not be divided on this issue but, rather, stop this wasteful practice and demand that the wasteful use of ever-dwindling resources stop. This is the answer, not divisive squabbling.

Those with agendas that divide the community should be ashamed. What is good for Pasco County is probably going to be good for the world.

Please, neighbors, let's resolve this crisis together as a community. An alternative to Pasco's incinerator problem is organic composting and recycling, which would harvest reusable materials from recyclable goods and collect landfill gas to produce clean energy.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency strongly encourages this type of proven technology. Read about it here: epa.gov/lmop/benefits.htm.

Do your research before you simply believe what a purported consumer group tells you.

KAROL C. KLEIN

Dade City

Try Ombudsman First

At a time when residents of Pasco and Hernando counties are finally being given a choice as to whether or not to carry sinkhole insurance at a significant reduction in premiums, it has been brought to my attention that local sinkhole law firms have begun soliciting homeowners who have expressed concern that they may have a sinkhole on their property.

The letter trumpets the many years of experience the firm has filing claims for clients, as well as collecting large settlements from insurance companies. It is these very large settlements that have led to homeowners insurance premiums rising through the roof, not an increase in actual sinkhole formations.

What is stated in the letter is that the law firm will first attempt to collect its fees from the insurance company. Ultimately, though, those fees will come out of whatever settlement the law firm may be able to make on a resident's behalf.

Those fees will no doubt be substantial (perhaps up to 40 percent of the settlement). In many cases after those fees are paid, there may not even be enough left to properly repair the home.

Rather than further enrich the law firms of sinkhole attorneys who target homeowners who are concerned about possible sinkholes, residents should first contact Florida's sinkhole ombudsman, David Fisher. At no cost to residents, the Florida Department of Financial Services runs a program that will guide homeowners through the complicated maze of sinkhole claims.

If legal action is required after exhausting all the resources available through the ombudsman's program, so be it. But before anyone signs on the dotted line with a sinkhole attorney, please contact Florida's sinkhole ombudsman at 1-800-342-2762.

MIKE FASANO

New Port Richey

Fan Remembers

Hughie Thomasson was a loved man here in Philly. I have been a fan since they started the band and have numerous Outlaws tattoos on my arms which I proudly display and explain to others who ask what they are.

The band always went out of its way to meet and chat with fans over the years. I have seen the band over 60 times. They kept true to their Southern roots and were true gentlemen.

When I sat at my computer checking my e-mail and read one from a fan-based Web page that said Hughie had died, I cried. I am 50 years old and have lost someone who has meant so much to me over the years.

Hughie and The Outlaws' music was like a family member, always there for you. God bless Hughie, his family and the remaining members of The Outlaws.

Florida's 'Guitar Army' has one less soldier - but one of his fans and family will never forget. God bless.

JOSEPH McCLAIN

Philadelphia

Attention, Pasco Shoppers

I would consider myself a Wal-Mart supporter. I shop at Wal-Mart on a regular basis, and I appreciate the ability to do a great deal of my purchasing at one location.

I also am extremely appreciative of the fact that Wal-Mart is committed to serving communities through donations and grants to area schools and not-for-profits. In 2006 Wal-Mart donated more than $28,000 in community grants to Pasco County causes, including Health Resource Alliance of Pasco County, East Pasco Meals on Wheels, MADD, H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and several Pasco schools.

I think the Pasco County Development Review Committee should acknowledge the strides that Wal-Mart has made in Pasco and finally give Wal-Mart the opportunity to build a new store on State Road 54 at the Grand Boulevard intersection.

NINA BEEZER

New Tampa

Don't Exclude Hopefuls

The fact that presidential candidate Fred Thompson strolled past assault weapons and Nazi memorabilia smiling while escorted by political and law enforcement 'heavyweights' is a statement worth remembering.

Not allowing candidates to express free speech in America is an affront to our Founding Fathers. To court a candidate on a single issue - guns - is to exclude the ideas and leadership possibilities of all others contending for president of these United States of America.

There is no democracy under threats. I urge the Pasco GOP leadership to allow all candidates of the Republican Party to present their ideas and visions for America freely and without the need for 'special invitation.'

PENO HARDESTY

New Port Richey

The writer represents District 11 in the Florida Senate.

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