Letters to the Editors

SUVs guzzle gas, tend to roll over, unsafe on road

Re: Ex-director of nonprofit dies in crash, Oct. 15

Editor: Once again another accident demonstrates how dangerous these sport utility vehiclescan be under many conditions.

If you hit a small car head-on, the SUV will be the clear winner. However, when these top-heavy vehicles lose directional stability, usually caused by executing emergency maneuvers, they will roll over, something the manufacturers have done little to educate buyers about.

In addition, these vehicles also have a tendency to roll over if they slide into a curb or other object, a tire blows out or if a vehicle slams into their side. This is not a vehicle I would put a soccer mom and a bunch of kids into, and I certainly would not let my teenage son or daughter drive one. They would be far safer in the family sedan or even in a sports car as they would have a far better chance of controlling these vehicles than the SUV.

It's extremely important that everyone wears a safety belt including those sitting in the rear. Motorists also should check frequently tire pressure and condition. I would then suggest the driver take a driving course on how to handle this type of vehicle should it lose directional stability.

Actually, I would not recommend these gas guzzling polluting vehicles to anyone.
-- Arthur C. Hayhoe, Zephyrhills

Sen. Brown-Waite sign-stealing spouse says volumes about her

Editor: The sign-stealing and sign-destroying campaign of an ex-police officer has got to be prosecuted, at the very least, as an arrest record.

I am sure Ginny Brown-Waite was not ignorant of her husband's actions, as she thinks she is smarter than most true Southerners. He is in the doghouse with her for getting caught, not stealing.

She reminds me so much of Betty Castor, who was a know-nothing, do-nothing, did-nothing politician, but somehow rose to state Cabinet and later president of the University of South Florida.

Politics makes strange bedfellows. I am a Republican; I will vote Democrat.
-- T.J. Storch, Brooksville

In this campaign, indiscretions by GOP trouble one newcomer

Editor: Driven by a few old-fashioned notions -that the best government is less government andthose that demonstrate low moral values are not deserving of any public office -- I arrived in west Pasco County from Maryland this past year with a predisposition toward voting for Republicans. However, there are certain annoying facts that keep jumping out of the news and slapping me in the face.

For example, the recent indiscretion of Ms. Brown-Waite's husband, accompanied by the husband of one of her employees in stealing U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman's election signs. I would like to thank him for saving me the trouble of researching her qualifications.

He has clearly revealed himself to be small-minded, petty and basically dishonest. Since she is married to him, what does that say about her?

Nor does Ms. Brown-Waite's response make me feel any better about the incident or her. A more honest response would have publicly acknowledged the fact that it was dishonest and followed that acknowledgement with a sincere apology to Thurman from both Brown-Waite and her husband.

Then, a few days later, we see another bit of news that the Republican's are running a television ad that stretched the truth about Ms. Thurman's voting record. Essentially accusing her of raiding Social Security and voting against seniors. Does any Florida politician ever vote against seniors or try to dilute their Social Security? But more to the point, when questioned about the honesty of the ads, Ms. Browne-Waite explained that she did not have any input to them. Really?Why should I vote for someone who does not have control over her own campaign advertising? Isn't this simple Mismanagement-101?

This is an important election, the outcome of which will have a noticeable effect on the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Because I have not yet examined Ms. Thurman's views or record, I have not decided what I am going to do. There is always the possibility of voting independent or abstaining altogether.
-- Ralph M. Sullivan, Port Richey

There may be simple reason for embarrassing wife's campaign

Editor: Maybe Harvey Waite was deliberately sabotaging his wife's campaign? Maybe he doesn't want her to go to Washington? Maybe he thinks she should get back to the kitchen where she belongs?
-- Eleanor G. Hobbs, Port Richey

Evacuation at Southern Pines is another example of caring staff

Editor: My wife is a resident of Southern Pines Nursing Center. Recently the center had a fire and all the residents had to be evacuated and transported several hundred feet to an adjacent builting. The transfer was made without incident. This was quite a feat when you consider that all the residents are wheelchair bound.

Everyone involved seemed to know where every resident was and they all displayed an element of concern for the safety and comfort of every resident.

The quality of caring is partly inherent, but is mostly instilled by management. Top management and all section heads deserve praise and commendation.
-- Clem Craig, New Port Richey

Changes in car-rider pickup at Locke are designed for safety

Editor: I need to respond to a fellow parent who is dissatisfied with the car loop changes at Mittye P. Locke. My three children attend that school. They have attended two other Pasco County elementary schools and the procedures at those schools are very similar to the one being put in to place at Locke.

In fact, the procedures are the same at most Pasco County elementary schools. Parents/guardians must stay in their car, go through the loop and have a school personnel walk the child to the car they go home in. Various forms of identifying cards are used in order to match children to those permitted to pick them up. Parents are not permitted to park and walk to the car loop dismissal area to get their child. And they are absolutely not permitted to hang out in the halls on the campus waiting for their children. Early dismissal is permitted via the office only, with proper identification, and not to be abused.

This is for our children's safety. There has not been any added risk at Locke of a child getting hit by a car or breathing exhaust fumes as they are in the same pickup area as before. That is just absurd. The only change is that all parents must go through the loop; no parking and walking up are allowed anymore. Our discomfort at sitting in a car, or beating the traffic is not the issue.

I too am proud of the wonderful education my children receive at Locke Elementary. The teachers and dedicated staff there are second to none. And the administration should be applauded for making a decision based on our children's safety, not on whether or not a few people don't like waiting in line.

Change is never easy. It takes time and patience. And it is worth it when the end product is better, especially for our children.
-- Lisa Tomberlin, New Port Richey

Liver transplant patient's mother praises donor, LifeLink

Editor: My son recently received a liver transplant, and I would like to express my gratitude to the family who donated their loved one's organs. They not only saved my son's life, but the donor lives on in him. By donating the loved one's heart, liver, pancreas and both kidneys, they are living on in five people, who cannot express the love they have for the donor. My prayers are with this family every day of my life.

I hope people will become aware of donor organizations. Call or write to LifeLink in Florida 1 (800) 262-5775 or go to its Web site www.lifelinkfound.org. If you have a loved one who is in need of a transplant, you and your family members can specify that if anything should happen to you, the organ would go to that person, if it is a match. Just think you saved a life, and your loved one lives on in that person.

My son is doing great. Every day there is improvement. The doctors are impressed with his recovery. God bless the donors.
-- Connie Swisher, Hudson

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