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Pasco Letters to Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2008

On Their Own Dime

Regarding "County To Address Road Fixes Again" by Julia Ferrante, Jan. 3:

I just have to comment on the subject of your article. First, let me thank you for your coverage. The article is quite informative.

The article would be better titled "Private Roads," as they are not county roads if they are private.

I have owned homes on private roads in both Indiana and Illinois, so I do comment based on some personal experience. We, as property owners, always had to maintain these roads at our own expense.

Persons who choose to live on private roads do so by their own choice. If we let them become "impassable," tough luck for us - although I cannot understand how residents could use a road if it were impassable.

It is atrocious for property owners on private roads to expect the rest of us to pay for their maintenance. Next, they might want us to pay for their groceries or maybe their utilities.

These people enjoy the rights and responsibility. They can and do keep us from driving on them. Their property taxes would be lower, as the assessed value of the homes there would be lower.

As far as one person's reference to the gasoline tax he pays, does he ever use U.S. 19, State Road 52, Interstate 75 or Hudson Avenue? The gas taxes are state and federal as well as county.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri would better serve the taxpayers of Pasco County by concentrating on issues pertaining to actual county responsibilities and stop wasting commissioners' time with private issues.

The answer to the last question of your article is simple: Let the property owners on private roads spend their own money.

DAN WAYMIRE

Hudson

Festive Bounty

On Dec. 17 our office, in conjunction with the offices of state Rep. John Legg and Congressman Gus Bilirakis, held the sixth annual Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway in New Port Richey.

Every year, the Farm Share Program donates a truckload of produce and other goods that are distributed to area families in need of food for the holiday season. The day was a great success, providing food for over 600 families.

The food giveaway continues to be a success because of the commitment and involvement of many people who volunteer their time to spread some holiday cheer to these families.

There were many volunteers, including the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Pasco County Explorer's Program, New Port Richey Police Department, Dayspring Academy Middle School, Suncoast Epilepsy Association, Boys and Girls Club, and The Knights of Columbus Council 5869.

Lowe's of New Port Richey donated the forklift and provided operators to unload the food. Students and teachers from Chasco Middle School donated a large amount of canned goods and helped distribute them at the event.

Most of all, the Farm Share Program should be recognized for continuing to donate food for this event every year.

Lastly, I would like to give a special thanks to Gino Casanova from our Senate office, who coordinated the entire event.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success. We look forward to continuing the food giveaway for years to come.

MIKE FASANO

New Port Richey

Inspirational Story

In The Pasco Tribune of Jan. 5 is a story about a woman who is a barber ("Barber's Skill Takes Her A Cut Above").

This story should be passed on to all schools, so children can see how you can better yourself, instead of hanging out, belonging to gangs and getting in trouble.

Not everyone is going to get a job making millions. Maybe they will catch on to what this story means. You can do yourself better by trying to be the better person.

VAL STAUDER

Hudson

Helping Hands

S.O.L.V.E., a charitable organization that helps mothers and needy families, wishes to express our deep gratitude to all of our donors during 2007. We are grateful for each and every donation.

If, at any time, we neglected to thank you by phone or letter, we humbly apologize. We could not continue our ministry without your help.

Blessings to all in the new year.

RITA O'CONNOR

New Port Richey

The writer represents District 11 in the Florida Senate. The writer is director of S.O.L.V.E.

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