Letters to the Editors

Watering rules make no sense

Editor: With regard to water conservation regulations in this area, I'm beginning to feel as if I've slipped down the rabbit hole with Alice.

As a result of Pasco County's inability to provide sufficient pressure on their reclaimed water system, regardless of how they restrict it, my ornamental landscaping was in appalling shape. Drought notwithstanding, deed restrictions require that my flower beds not look like a fire has blown through, leaving only weeds behind. That's the first insanity.

So I replaced my flower beds and ornamentals with xeriscaping. Sounds like a plan, right?

Since Pasco County couldn't provide sufficient pressure to the reclaimed water system on my watering days (my lawn is meanwhile drying up in large patches) I added a watering day on my sprinkler system in order to root in the new plantings. Even xeriscaping needs extra water until it sets.

I got ticketed for watering on a nonwatering day. Having been under the impression that I could water as much as necessary for 30 days after installing new landscaping, I called the water company, and lo and behold, on flower beds I could water only by hand. No sprinklers allowed.

So I paid my fine, but as I was writing my check, it suddenly struck me: I am getting ticketed for using wastewater one extra day a week, but no one would have said a thing if I'd been out there every single day watering by hand with drinking water (the only kind that can legally come through my hose) to keep those ornamentals from dying. Some conservation effort, huh?
-- Sue Brown, Wesley Chapel

There are funds to pay for road improvements

Editor: Should homeowners be forced to pay for having their roads paved? Yes, if their roads are private and not open to the public. Roads open for public use should be paid for by the County Commission with public money.

County commissioners might say they don't have the money. They should remind themselves about their investment money. But why should a government with taxing powers have money to invest? I suppose one reason might be to spend money without accounting to the taxpayers.

If there is any money left in that investment fund, I suggest that road paving and improvements be paid for out of that fund.
-- Charles Derer, Hudson

Leaving sod unattended simply invites theft

Editor: Over the last month or so, the county has endeavored to fix up the area of Cecelia Road by paving, replacing old water conduits and sodding this stretch that goes from Rowan Road in the direction of Madison Avenue. It is looking pretty sharp around here, and they are now laying sod along the roadbed.

On a Sunday, I took a drive to East Elfers Cemetery about 2 p.m. I had made a comment to my friend that the county must really be trusting, because the sod and pallets were just placed along the road where it was to be laid.

On the way back from the cemetery, what should we see but a new green Ford or Chevy pickup with no government plates or company name. The driver backed up to the sod pallets then loaded the truck with the sod in broad daylight.

My first instinct was to grab my cell phone and call the sheriff, but I figured by the time they arrived, the culprit would be gone. My next thought was to turn around and get the plate number of the vehicle, but my friend was in a hurry and didn't want to get into a brawl with this person, so I kept going, thinking how rotten it was that this man appeared to be stealing from the public, stealing dirt no less.

Why would the county or the company hired to lay the sod leave these things unattended, for the whole weekend?

I, as a taxpayer, have to pay for that sod, and no telling how many lawns will suddenly have a facelift because of it. My lawn looks like the Sahara Desert,yet I can afford to sod someone else's lawn? Please, to the man in the green pickup who swiped those pallets of grass: Send a check to the county for the fair market value of the sod. I don't go around your yard taking what I please; don't come around mine.
-- David A. Henry, New Port Richey

No way to treat a group honoring top students

Editor: On May 2, I was privileged to attend a gathering of parents, teachers and students at the Richey Suncoast Theatre in downtown New Port Richey. The purpose of the meeting was the award of scholarships given by various community groups and individuals to very deserving students attending Gulf High School. It was wonderful to see these young people awarded hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars in scholarship grants for their future education.

The only so-called fly in the ointment during this very joyous occasion was the threat of the Crab Trap Restaurant to tow the vehicles in their adjacent parking lot. This caused a complete interruption in the evening's proceedings, and many individuals, including the students performing in the excellent jazz band, had to leave the ceremony in a hurried fashion to move their vehicles for fear they would be towed away.

Special recognition should go to the teachers, students and parents who worked hard to achieve an evening of success and achievement. Special thanks should go to the Richey Suncoast Theatre for hosting the event. And special recognition should be given to the Crab Trap Restaurant for showing these young people the absolute worst way to handle public relations and to solicit business.
-- J. Stephen Doran, New Port Richey

New Port Richey government needs housecleaning

Editor: Well my fellow citizens,I'm sure you can see, without a doubt, our city government is going to do as it pleases. Forget our wishes that the mayor and City Council do as they are told. It's called brainwashing.

I called each council member and the mayor,and begged them not to buy the Hacienda Hotel in any fashion. Only two council members called me back -- Mrs. Clark and Mr. Finn -for my views. Even the Times told them not to walk away, but to run away from the grant purchase of the hotel. The Gulf Coast Community Care really does not want to sell. It's costing around $186,000 a year in upkeep. Still, Gerald Seeber and Jerry Paradise think buying it is a great idea. If this city has this money to just waste on a hotel, why aren't they using it to fix the problems in Jasmine Acres?

Wake up, people. Smell the roses and get better people in office next election.
-- Ann Bully, New Port Richey

Bus riders deserve the driver's respect

Editor: Why are some bus drivers being rude to riders? I saw one treat a disabled man with total disrespect.

The man couldn't get his bike off the bus rack. The bus driver had to help him get it down. Once he got the bike down, he threw it on the ground on its side, not even giving the man time to grab the bike so it wouldn't fall.

The whole time the bus driver was complaining to the other riders about the man. He said if he doesn't know how to take the bike down, he shouldn't have a bike card. I think the small, thin man just couldn't lift it.

The driver is at work and should wait until he is off work to voice his opinions. Was being courteous and helpful left behind in the 1950s?
-- Terri Joiner, Port Richey

Brown-Waite defends Second Amendment

Re: Seeing through the smoke screen, May 19 letter

Editor: The only smoke screen I see is the one that comes from Arthur Hayhoe's antics. Having met Sen. Brown-Waite, I thanked her for protecting the Bill of Rights.

Mr. Hayhoe is prejudiced against her because she defends the Constitution. We know Mr. Hayhoe had objected to her protecting the Second Amendment from liberals like himself. I'm proud of Sen. Brown-Waite.
-- Ken Casey, Hudson

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