Letters to the Editors

Tobacco program is essential

Editor: As a concerned citizen who is interested in young people getting the word about the dangers of tobacco, I was surprised about the legislative decision to reduce and/or eliminate administrative positions in each county's Tobacco Coalition program. Gov. Jeb Bush has stated that he was unaware of this action.

Since the administrator and program coordinator are, almost always, the same person, it may destroy the very essence of the coalition. This is the only paid position in the venture. Adults and students work voluntarily with these able leaders. Also, please be aware,the program is funded by money from Big Tobacco; it is not related to our state budget.

Because youth are actively involved, the coalition has helped reduce middle school tobacco use by 47 percent and high school use by 30 percent. The administrative arm of the coalition is aware that peer pressure has been proven to change behaviors. They all act on this knowledge.

I just want to remind Gov. Bush of the importance of this great project. Those of you who are also aware of this legislative move, and are concerned about our young people, please write to our governor to remind him.
-- Lilyan V. Dayton, New Port Richey

School Board should be open about expenditures

Editor: Back up the bus! Kudos for John Long? I don't think so. For three months I have been sending Pasco County School Board certified correspondence asking for the budgets of Sunray Elementary School. After protesting in front of the school on Aug. 6, I received an envelope with some of the correspondence I requested. I did not receive all of it.

For example, I specifically requested a copy of all correspondence (including electronic mail) related to the playground recess equipment. All I received was a copy of the purchase order. I have lots of accounting questions for superintendent Long and the Pasco County School Board. Here are a few:

Money for playground equipment was budgeted on page one of the 2000-01 Budget and Expenditures Report, category 0670, improvements other than buildings. The figure of the playground appears in the "encumbered" column. If the money was withheld, why was purchase order 10017329, check number 502162 (dated 07/31/01) issued?

On page one of the budget and expenditures (Capital) report FY 2001-02, category 0680, Remodeling and Renovations, the dollar amount is $40,950.68. Sunray Elementary School is two years old. To the penny, exactly what was this money spent on?

I am not the only parent interested in the answers. I suggest parents get together. Get a copy of your child's school budget. Good luck. I have been jumping through hoops to get public information. Go over it with a fine tooth comb.

Sorry, no kudos for Dr. Long from me.
-- Laurie A. Tyree, Holiday

City fire departments provide better protection

Editor: I am writing in reference to Pasco County taking over fire protection that is now being provided by Dade City and Zephyrhills fire departments. I live in the county just outside the limits of Dade City and in the Dade City Fire District.

Homeowners insurance rates are based, in part, according to the fire rating protection code provided in Insurance Service Office Inc. Dade City has for many years had one of the best ratings. The Dade City Fire Department is rated at 4. The Zephyrhills Fire Department is also rated at 4. Pasco County is at 5.

Based on sheer logistics, i.e., the physical location of the proposed fire stations, it would be impossible for the county to respond to many areas in a timely fashion.

In August 2001, I arrived home to find smoke pouring from my roof. Dade City fire had three trucks on site in less than five minutes. Both the structural engineer and the insurance adjuster said that most damage is done by the fire departments. They both said there was no damage from firefighters, that they had done an outstanding job, and both men were extremely impressed.

Given a choice, (which I realize we have less and less of with government), most people and I would choose our local departments over the county.

Please do not put citizens at risk for the sole purpose of wanting to be in control of every issue within Pasco County.
-- Eugene Smith, Dade City

Litter in all its forms ruins walk, drive down Fivay

Editor: It looks to me like another area of Fivay Road, between the library and Clayton Boulevard, has reached such a level of neglect and decay that it doesn't come under the aegis of our tax dollars. It is now pretty much impassable if you are on a bike.

Of course, the usual expected amount of litter still prevails in the form of broken sign wiring, whiskey bottles and the usual refuse.

It's obvious the grass has not been cut in quite a while. Would you like to know why? I would.

If you are walking, be prepared to slip and slide on about an inch of wet, mushy leaves, or trip on broken up sidewalk. Who would be paying the bill for an injury?

Farther down the street there is more than an inch deep of sand that goes for yards. What a shame.

Why is this area left out of the normal routine care that it more than deserves?
-- Beverly Sturges, Hudson

Solution needed to trash left after auto accidents

Editor: In spite of the many letters that have been written regarding broken glass and broken auto parts left in the street after auto accidents, the sheriff still turns a deaf ear to the subject.

Motorists trying to avoid the debris swerve out of their lanes and cause another accident. If a vehicle had some unsafe hazard on it, the sheriff would stop it and issue a ticket, so why is he not concerned about this road hazard?

In many areas, push brooms are standard issue in squad cars, and broken glass, etc,. is pushed off to the side of the road. Since we have no sanitation department here, it is all the more important for the road to be cleared.

The tow truck operators say they only get paid to tow the vehicle; the cops say it's not their job either and walk off and leave the scene.

What will it take to solve this? A suit if someone gets hurt and sues the county for failing to provide safe roads? It is a preventable situation.
-- Eleanore Secor, Holiday

Huge change in assessed value seems unwarranted

Editor: Recently, my mail contained my proposed county tax bill. It was not surprising to see a proposed increase, but what was surprising was that there was also an increase of approximately 25 percent in the assessed value of my mobile home.

After calling the tax office, I was told that this year, for the first time in 10 years, there was an increase in one of the multiples used to calculate assessed value. That multiple value went from 20 to 26 and is in addition to the proposed increase. That seems huge.
-- Lawrence Noyes, New Port Richey

Angel Cabaret offers an excellent time for all

Editor: We can't thank you enough for the news about the Angel Cabaret Theater. We finally decided to see for ourselves what the hullabaloo was about.

We attended the current show, The Odd Couple, and it turned out to be an excellent and entertaining performance in a most delightful theater setting.

Again, we can't thank you enough for bringing it to our attention and hope the rest of your readers will check it out too -- they'll love it.
-- Angie Anthony, Seminole

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