Letters to the Editors

System needed that forces males to support offspring

Editor: I read with satisfaction the article by Lois Spatuzzi and the letter by Lori Lee on affordable housing. We are blessed with a few citizens who have intelligence and candor.

A basic solution to this matter and many other problems is to institute a system that forces a male to support his offspring. If a female is such a sad case that she can't identify the father (promiscuity), we should consider going back to the relief of court-ordered tube-tying, etc.

It is not fair to decent citizens that we support the stupidity and cupidity of others. I realize that there are politicians who plant free housing in certain areas to create a party majority. If the male has no job, the government should create jobs, including unpleasant, low pay, etc. that will benefit us victims (taxpayers).

The result would be very beneficial for many reasons, none the least of these being many more children being born to people who would provide for them.
-- Lee Bennett, Spring Hill

Neighborhood snoops, mind your own business

Editor: Re: Residents may help revise code.

It's apparent that these two residents ride around checking their Spring Hill neighbors' driveways and yards, keeping track of their vehicles, boats, motor homes, etc.

Get a life.

Their statements, "sell the house I love, on the street I like and I have good neighbors" is contradictory to their actions. I'm sure their neighbors don't feel that way about them, especially after reading of their complaints.

They talk about not wanting to move into a gated community so they have to have deed restrictions. They sound just like the type of people that belong in gated communities, which are ideal for people who haven't learned to mind their own business and want to dictate to others.
-- Charles Miller, Spring Hill

One-time $25 tax for more officers would cut crime

Editor: Do we want steel window iron bars? Do we want reinforced doors with three locks?

It's time to get involved. Crime has been on the rise in Hernando County to 8.6 percent -- the largest increase of the five counties in the Tampa Bay area. Auto thefts were 48 percent higher last year.

When you witness a crime, do not get involved. Call the police. Sheriff Richard Nugent and Brooksville police Chief Ed Tincher are doing a great job but cannot cut down the crime rate without more officers. We cannot stop crime, but we can curb it.

What is needed is foot patrolmen with bicycles covering a designated area. They will be obvious in view and that deters crime and they would promote a more friendly attitude between the law and the public.

We must raise revenue by taxing all the homeowners with a one-time tax of $25 that will bring in enough revenue to hire 45 foot patrolmen and five motorcycle officers to roam the county for trouble spots and speeders. This one-time tax will jump-start to help bring crime down.

You can be certain that crime will steadily climb to the point it's out of control. Hernando County has a steadily increasing population. A one-time tax of $25 may be the answer to curb crime.

I have the figures. Maybe a referendum is in view.
-- Frank Vicchiullo, Brooksville

Need to marshal all forces to ensure a safer U.S. 19

Editor: Another tragic and deadly occurrence happened on U.S. 19 claiming another victim, that of Stephanie Morrison, one day after graduating from high school. Just 17 years old and so full of life. I did not know Stephanie personally, but I grieve along with her family and friends.

U.S. 19 is among the deadliest of all roads in the United States. It seems to be a daily occurrence of accidents on this roadway. It is so common that many of these accidents are never recorded in the paper. In my nine months of living here since moving from Newburgh, N.Y., I have seen countless accidents that have taken the lives of many and have resulted in scores of injuries.

You say to yourself that seeing a car lying on its side or a tractor trailer overturned on top of cars is nothing new. When you actually see these accidents, you just shake your head in disbelief, and you say it could have been prevented if law enforcement were present to patrol U.S. 19.

And where are they when they should be present cracking down on drivers speeding, running traffic signals, driving drunk or changing lanes unsafely? But when an accident happens, the sheriff's and state police are out in full force. They are everywhere.

I have seen the Spring Hill Fire Department and Rescue Squad in action at many of these accidents, doing their job prying the injured or dead out of these mangled wrecks. A lot of man-hours go into every accident that occurs, man-hours of the Fire Department and Rescue Squad, sheriff's deputies, state police and helicopters to evacuate the injured (just to name a few) from these deadly sites.

So how can we prevent these daily occurrences on U.S. 19? We need our law enforcement to be present at all times to get out there and get our roadway back into the best possible, safest condition for all. We need our county executives involved. And we need our state DOT to oversee the safety of all motorists who travel U.S. 19. We need action now. And action speaks louder than words. We all would like to see a safer U.S. 19.
-- Michael J. Kowalik, Spring Hill

Dinner snub nothing more than rants of spoiled child

Editor: Re: Democrat again feels snubbed by his party

I have read your paper for many years and have enjoyed it. When I opened my paper on May 18 and read the headline, I just could not believe what I was reading.

This is nothing more than a publicity stunt. It makes noises of a spoiled child who wasn't invited to a party and is found crying and stomping his feet.

Let me set some facts straight. The DEC has been working on this dinner since January. Friends of Mr. (Greg) Williams are members of the DEC, and I am sure he was informed of how to purchase a ticket. Invitations were sent out to those who attended the dinner in the past. All others were either DEC members, Democrats who presently hold office, or friends that wanted to attend.

It is a fact that Bruce Donovan did not get a special invitation. He bought his ticket the same as the rest of us.

This article does hold some truths, but Mr. Williams has not told you everything, and I believe that it was done on purpose, but eventually the truth will prevail.

In your article, Mr. Williams states, "I'm not going to lose my mission because of little events like this." If this is his stance, then I ask you why did he seek you out to cry on your shoulder so much that you use it as your lead story on the front page? I'm really disappointed in your judgment.

I just hope this does not set a precedent, where everyone who feels "snubbed" comes crying and we have to read such trivial dribble as our headlines.
-- Carol A. Burgess, Spring Hill

Two state lawmakers have done much for the county

Editor: To answer the question posed by Ms. Rodriquez, which was, "Just what has David Russell done for Hernando County?" one needs to put all the bare facts on the table.

Looking at the accomplishments that can be directly related to Rep. David Russell, with Sen. Ginny Brown-Waite, our county should thank these two elected officials for all their hard work. These are just a few of the accomplishments that can be directly related to Russell and Brown-Waite:

Passing legislation directly tying growth and development with the availability of water.

Taking a stand to reject the method of pumping effluent water into our aquifer.

Two $500,000 CDBG grants for Brooksville to repair and replace water and sewer lines.

The creation of the Enterprise Zone in Hernando County and the city of Brooksville to revitalize this very depressed economic area to aid local citizens and business.

$500,000 for the new senior enrichment center at Oak Hill Hospital to be used as a special-needs center in emergency situations, such as hurricanes.

Passing legislation for the transportation issues that will aid Hernando County in the future costs of the County Line Road widening projects.

Hernando County should be very proud of our legislative delegation because they have worked extremely hard to serve all the citizens.

The most amazing factor is that all these accomplishments were made possible by this delegation without them finding it necessary to raise our taxes at the state level under their watch.
-- Anna Liisa Covell, Nobleton

Share your views

The Hernando Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.

Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length.

Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed.

Send your letter to Hernando Times, 161 E Jefferson St., Brooksville, FL 34601. To fax a letter call 754-6133. Send letters by e-mail (in text-only format) to hernando@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright