Letters to the Editors

Judge Hyslop does job he was elected to do

Editor: Re: Flip sides worth hearing, Oct. 13 column by Jeff Webb:

That was a very good article about the judges in our county and bail hearings. I have a lot of respect for County Judge Peyton Hyslop and Circuit Judge Richard Tombrink, but they both have the same problem as the rest of our judges: It's up to our police departments and state attorney's offices to supply the judges with the correct information at bail hearings in order for our judges to do their jobs correctly.

Our judges always take heat for things they have no control over. I'd like to see the blame, if any, put where it belongs, and then fix the problem. I've lived in Hernando County 22 years and I really hate the way it seems somebody is always pointing their finger at Judge Hyslop. Why? For doing the job he was elected to do. He doesn't make the laws or rules; he just enforces them. What more can we expect him to do?

How many people would want his job? I sure wouldn't. I get very upset with all the negative press Judge Hyslop gets, and I think Webb's column was the first positive story I've read, and that's why I liked it. Keep up the good, honest reporting. It's rare to see it in print nowadays.

Regarding the bail hearings: Innocent people are arrested, too. Why should they rot in jail waiting to prove it? That's one good reason judges are allowed to set bail. I've met both Judges Tombrink and Hyslop under not-so-nice conditions years ago, and I still like both of them. I've also met a lot of law enforcement officers over the years and have nothing but nice things to say about all of them, too, even though it wasn't always under ideal conditions. I wouldn't want their jobs, either.
-- Tom Blumel, Brooksville

Teacher pay gets short shrift in Hernando

Editor: As a businessman in our community and a citizen of this country, I've seen a lot of foolishness in decisions some of our leaders make.

In Hernando County, for instance, we've decided to pay our School Board members like Enron executives, while we allow the heart -- the working force of our education system -- to work for one of the lowest average wages in our state.

Let's see if I can put this in perspective.

The School Board must attend two meetings a month for about four hours each (that's a long meeting). They also attend workshops as needed. Let's calculate that. If they attend eight hours of meetings monthly (7 p.m. until whenever) and four four-hour workshops, they have worked a total of three full working days a month. Since most of us work 21 or 22 days a month, I'll use that as a basis.

They work three days monthly for $28,000 a year (their salary is ranked 28th in the state). That would be the equivalent of $205,000 a year. Plus, these part-time positions are given full health benefits, retirement and more money is put toward their retirement than for teachers. That is against every business practice I've ever heard of.

While we are paying this huge wage, we are paying our teachers a dismal wage (58th in our state). The School Board has asked the teachers to give up a portion of their benefits toward a small increase in pay. It should be put in the strategic plan that no employee of the School Board should receive any raise until the teachers' salaries share a comparable ranking.

I've sent two children through Hernando County schools, and I'm sending three more. I've seen our teachers go above and beyond their job requirements time and time again. Our teachers spend more waking hours with our children than we do; because of this they are role models. We depend on them to be enthusiastic and committed to educating our children.

If we are going to run our county as a business, let's do it right. Take a look at our educational work force and pay for the jobs that are being done. We deserve the best educational system, and it starts by realizing that our teachers are our greatest asset.

Our teachers need equity.
-- Don Whiting, Spring Hill

Advocate of veterans deserves better press

Editor: Re: He draws veterans' criticism and kudos, Oct. 13 Times:

I think it unconscionable and entirely unnecessary that you attacked and defamed Deron Mikal, an outstanding gentleman, veterans' advocate and veteran in his own right, so dedicated -- not only to the hundreds of veterans he has untiringly served over the years, but to our community as a whole.

Are you, indeed, so desperate for subject matter that you must resort to tabloid methods for interest and circulation, no less giving this mundane subject front-page priority?

Mr. Mikal, from personal experience, has given of himself far beyond official obligations, and I will be eternally grateful for his uncompromising time, expertise and attention to my rights as a veteran of two conflicts.

I take further offense to the suggestion that we who seek guidance from the Veterans Administration are largely down on ourluck and need financial assistance to survive. May God bless those in such dire need and those who are there to answer their calls. But the overwhelming majority of cases are far more involved than the proverbial handout.

There is, most importantly, the thrust of your writer's article, which aims at a complex scenario of perceived and largely unsubstantiated improprieties that should, I believe, best be served by reference to a small claims court and certainly nothing beyond that.

Your article praises Mr. Mikal's good works and self-sacrifice for others, yet attempts to destroy his reputation in the process. I fully expect you will be hearing from many outraged veterans such as me and, hopefully, from our advocates, as well.
-- Edward G. Ludwig, Spring Hill

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The Hernando Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.

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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

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