Letters to the Editors

Walking, biking paths would be increase quality of life in Pasco

Editor: Ten years ago my wife and I were drawn to the Green Key area by its natural beauty and temperate climate. When we purchased our home off of Green Key Road, we thought the area was full of potential.

Throughout the years many changes have taken place in this area. Currently, there is a great deal of residential development going on. Unfortunately, there is no safe place for residents to walk safely. There is no bike or walking path along Green Key Road leading to the beach. This could be one of the most desirable characteristics of this environment, and yet it is sorely lacking.

Pasco County is always looking to attract tourists and others to our area. What could be more appealing than a safe and scenic walkway leading to the beach? Many seniors residing in New Port Richey routinely walk for good health and exercise. How unfortunate for them that they take their lives in their hands each time they try to navigate along the weeds and rubble on Green Key.

We hope the powers that be will find a way to take Pasco County full force into the 21st century. Can't we have a smaller version of the Pinellas Trail that residents and visitors to Dunedin enjoy? Every time a friend or neighbor visits Dunedin, that is the first thing they comment on and wish for here in our beautiful neighborhood. As our community continues to grow, renovate and evolve, let's try to do it with grace and style!
-- Anthony C. Marfione, New Port Richey

Legislator had good plan to create his success story

Editor: Former state Rep. Carl Littlefield is certainly a success story for Pasco County.

Perhaps others could follow his example.

Get elected to a local office.

Get on the delinquent tax roll.

Get elected to a state office.

Do nothing significant while in office but always do what big business and the developers want you to do.

Support the man who wins as governor and ask to be appointed as head of elder affairs because one of your relatives used to work in a nursing home.

Get appointed to a high paying government job you have absolutely no qualifications for and get paid more than $94,000 a year as the director in an agency that you couldn't be an entry level social worker in.

By the way, I and a lot of people go by your house every day. For someone who comes home "almost every week" I sure haven't seen you around. Don't worry, Mr. Littlefield. With your salary you can afford the few thousand dollars in extra taxes that the Property Appraiser Mike Wells is considering assessing you. After all, why should you be treated differently from other Floridians?
-- Jean McNary, Dade City

Slowing speeders on Little Road will help prevent accidents

Re: Woman, 82, and husband killed in crash, March 6

Editor: Maybe the recent accident on Little Road will prompt the various police agencies to become more observing of this road. From the intersection at State Road 54 north, this road becomes a speed track. And it becomes more difficult for drivers attempting to cross or enter Little Road to judge the speed of oncoming traffic.

A week or two of intensive ticketing might help lower the speed. Also, the timing of the traffic light at Heritage Lakes Boulevard should be looked into.

We, the local residents, should not have to wait for an extended study similar to the one for the installation of the long-delayed lights at SR 54 and Old SR 54.
-- George A. Montgomery, New Port Richey

Water piped from rivers would help solve our problems

Editor: For years I have heard the battle cries from the forces on each side of the water war -- usually Pasco and Pinellas counties. There have been various remedies suggested and it now appears as if we are going to get some relief by desalination. Obviously, this is good because it lessens the drain of water from the aquifer. However, it's not the best solution.

There are two rivers, the Suwannee and the Santa Fe in the north central part of Florida that merge more than 100 miles north of us and southwest of Lake City. These two rivers collect rainwater and dump billions of gallons of this ideal fresh water in the Gulf of Mexico. Don't you think it would be smart to use this water?

It would be relatively simple to gather this water into a reservoir and pump it to the heavily populated areas of our counties. If this reservoir were to be built, it not only fills the needs of water but it would bring tremendous recreational benefits too many. Freshwater fishing, boating, water sports would bring tourists in droves.

This idea of piping water here is not new. Unfortunately, it has become political. Apparently Pasco County backed some sort of an agreement (local sources first) which will not allow water to be moved from one county to another. This must be changed and it's going to take a courageous elected official to get this done.
-- Al L. Meyer, Hudson

Developer sees beauty; we see urban sprawl from overbuilding

Editor: Developer Don Buck sees beauty in Pasco development. Where is the beauty in urban sprawl?

The only thing Mr. Buck sees is dollar signs. Maybe Mr. Buck can tell us from where the water for these homes is coming. What of the extra services, the schools and the effect on the environment? If this overbuilding continues, soon there will be no more green spaces in Pasco County.
-- Eve Gratton, New Port Richey

Pasco homeowner not only one angry at Building Department

Re: Pasco building, permit rules should make potential residents think twice, March 1 letter

Editor: We too, are having problems with the Pasco County Building Department.

Our problem is not being able to obtain the necessary permit to finish our (unfinished) remodeling. We too have had a violation notice (stop work order) served. We sit here with an unfinished wall.

If we do not comply within 90 days, which expires April 16, we will be fined $100 per day. I can sympathize with Mr. Cannon on his anguish, as we are experiencing the same.

Homeowners of Pasco County, that are or have experienced similar procedures, should certainly band together to put a halt on the asinine rules of the Pasco Building Department. After all we do pay their salaries.
-- Karen Hudson, New Port Richey

Improving your home should not put you in jeopardy of losing it

Editor: I would like to know why Pasco County is forcing two residents of Flicker Lane in the Vista Delmar subdivision to tear down half of their homes.

There are many other homes throughout the Hudson area that have full living facilities beneath and no one has ever thought to inspect and/or investigate the more elite homes. Why does Pasco have to single out the lowered value homes and allow the owners of upper priced homes do as they please?

The middle income people that make this county are being punished. Please help these people save their homes and make the Hudson area a better place to live again.

It scares me to think that people whom are currently living in homes that made improvements with building permits issued by Pasco County are in jeopardy of losing half of their life's investment.
-- Robert J. Smith, Hudson

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