Letters to the Editors

Carrying deadly weapons can be, surprise, deadly

Re: Right to carry guns is a freedom worth protecting, May 1 letter.

Editor: I believe the letter writer is a bit mixed up regarding the Second Amendment to our Constitution. I also believe that the framers of the Bill of Rights had a different intention about carrying deadly weapons. At that time a one-shot pistol and a one-shot rifle were the only weapons available for hunting and self-preservation. While Mrs. Bunting feels she has a right to carry a deadly weapon and our children have a right to carry weapons to school, this is trampling and infringing on my rights according to the Second Amendment.

Apparently Mrs. Bunting doesn't read about drive-by shootings or shootings over the theft of a pair of sneakers or an argument with a spouse. Children, in their curiosity, can pick up a loaded weapon and cause damage to themselves or to another human being.

Obviously, Mrs. Bunting has never been shot at. As a World War II Marine and a life member of the DAV, I know what a bullet can do. I hope Mrs. Bunting reads this and remembers my name because I wanted to join an organization of which she and her husband are dues-paying members, but when I found out their thoughts about the promotion of personal weapons and carrying them socially, I was a little disheartened, to say the least.

There is no doubt that gun clubs need an over-the-hill actor as a spokesperson, because like Mr. Heston, people who carry a weapon are also over the hill.
-- William T. Norris, New Port Richey

County workers respond quickly to complaint

Editor: I've been a Pasco County resident for more than six years. During that time I've heard numerous complaints about the lack of response from our county government.

I've read in the Pasco Times about the weeks and sometimes months it takes to get a problem resolved after someone contacted his county commissioner. I think I may have stumbled onto something that may cut the response time to almost nothing. Leave the county commissioners out of the complaint process.

Sometimes if you let the worker bees do their job, it will amaze you how fast the job can be completed.

My problem may have been small compared to some, but it was no smaller than some I've read about. I had a large tree branch that overhung the street in front of my home. I was concerned that during high winds the branch (about 10 inches in diameter and almost 16 feet long) might snap and injure someone.

I called the county and spoke to a woman named Mary. She told me a file number would be assigned and then the complaint would be sent to the Public Works Department. I figured I would have to call numerous times to resolve the problem. Two days later, a crew of three workers removed the potential problem. They were very polite and professional.

Moral of the story: Let the worker bees do their job.
-- Dale E. Setter, Hudson

Port Richey Concert Band is a noteworthy asset

Editor: On May 5, we attended River Ridge High School to enjoy a performance of the Port Richey Concert Band under the direction of retired teacher Henry Fletcher. This was the final performance of the year and was, as always, wonderful.

The band has been one of the best reasons to live in this area. All members are volunteers, as is Mr. Fletcher. One can only imagine the effort that it takes to organize a performance of such excellence. Such dedication on the part of the participants, particularly Mr. Fletcher, deserves acknowledgement. May your wonderful contribution to us continue for a very long time.
-- Sarah T. McAfoose, Port Richey

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