Letters to the Editors

Photos of dogs add meaning to sad, true tale

Re: Unwanted, unloved and facing a death sentence, Jan. 13.

Editor: I'd like to respond to the letters of complaint and disgust over the pictures of the dogs. Though readers certainly may have imagination enough without the need of an actual gruesome photograph, the picture of the dog waiting to die is a grim truth that gives one the eyes and soul to attach to the words of the article.

What do most people remember from their education of World War II? My memory consists of images of FDR sitting with clenched jaw announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor, Winston Churchill with cigar and cane waving to crowds of supporters, people in lines in death camps with gaunt pale faces displaying differing emotions, and piles of lifeless bodies starved beyond recognition. These are the images most carry. They are gruesome but they are real. They breed anger and in some breed change. With the sense of vision, words alone may not carry enough influence without images.

One of the readers asked, "Do you honestly think that this will wake up the inhumane people who abandon their pets or simply refuse to have them neutered?" Well, quite possibly not. But, it might enlighten those who, without thought of the consequence, want to breed their pet for the money, for shows, or for the excitement of having a new puppy. In situations such as these, it's not inhumanity, it's simply ignorance.

The pictures angered me. That is the intent. Rather than fretting about the effect on me, I thought about the everyday effect on those working directly with these animals and, of course, the animals themselves. It's about time such an article was written, and it's about time people looked these staggering statistics in the face.
-- Crystal Millard, New Port Richey

Sun Cruise owner prefers to pay attorneys than fix problems

Re: Sides seek to resolve gambling boat flap, Jan. 19

Editor: The best that I can come up with is a lot of time and money wasted.

The Port Richey City Council wants Sun Cruise to fix up the parking lot as well as make the restrooms handicapped accessible. Not much to ask for. But, the owner of Sun Cruise would rather spend lots of money on high-priced attorneys. I do not understand the reasoning.

It amounts the same as someone spends a dollar on gasoline to save three cents in another supermarket. Where is the reasoning?
Michael Starr, Port Richey

Sam's Beach Bar's parking deal with county is illegal, corrupt

Editor: I need to vent my anger at our county commissioners. I have just learned that Sam's Beach Bar on Hudson Beach has a deal with the county for the parking lot behind their restaurant. I feel that this is blatantly illegal and corrupt. I along with other Pasco residents, have to search for a parking spot on Hudson Beach because there is insufficient parking. I have done some research and have discovered that Sam's Beach Bar struck a deal with our county commissioners some 12 years ago to use the public parking lot behind their restaurant. Sam's Beach Bar has their own key to this public lot. Instead of this lot closing at dusk like other public lots in our county, this lot closes at midnight or whenever Sam's feels like locking it. This invites an unpleasant element to congregate in this lot late at night.

What really irritates me, as well as many of my neighbors, is the special treatment offered to Sam's. County code would have made it impossible for Sam's to build a deck behind their restaurant. Sam's had only nine parking spots at that time. Not enough to acquire a permit to operate a restaurant. The owner donated his nine spots to the county (how noble) in exchange for the 100 or so in the public lot. This made it possible for him to comply with code and build his deck. In essence, this is public money being spent by our county commissioners to subsidize a private business.
-- W.D. O'Donnell, Hudson

New Port Richey officials financially ruined city

Editor: Well, the year 2001 is over, a year New Port Richey residents will always remember. Our city officials ruined most of us financially. Even the businessmen didn't escape their money-making ways.

January 2001 started with outrageous assessments. After we convinced them to do away with unnecessary trees, speed calmers and painted stripes at corners, the assessment came down to a realistic cost. I'm happy to pay my share.

Then it was water runoff. Homeowners now pay $40.42 yearly. Business owners pay from $100 to $3,000, I'm afraid we will start to lose businesses. This puts a terrible burden on them.

Next came water rate increases: 24 percent this year and 4 percent for the next four years.

I have never lived in a city that gave no thought to its citizens. Other cities think first, then do; New Port Richey does first and thinks later, if at all.

Before Election Day 2001, the Citizens Action Committee interviewed each candidate; we let you all know our choices. The ones we felt would do best for our city and us. Somehow enough did not get out to vote because only one of our picks. Mrs. Clark, was elected.

Now we have the Community Redevelopment Agency because we are blighted, If we are blighted, why have our real estate taxes gone up? This is a terrible move to bring the CRA in because it will cost us dearly in the future. This burden will be carried on to our children to pay.

People, open your eyes. It's time to get rid of the officials that are in office and vote for ones that will help you and our city.

Keep alert, listen, and read your papers. Go to council meetings and see how very important it is to vote in every election. Let them know we have had our fill of status quo.

You have another chance in April 2002. Get out and vote.
-- Ann Bully, New Port Richey

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