Letters to the Editors

Pasco GOP welcomes Simon and Browning

Editor: Regarding (County Commissioner Steve) Simon and (Supervisor of Elections Kurt) Browning's jump to the GOP:

Editor of editorials C.T. Bowen has not had a good week. First, Bill Bunting was elected chairman of the Republican Party in Pasco (a point omitted from the editorial). Then, within a matter of days, Browning and Simon both switched to the Republican Party. What can a good liberal do but criticize the switches as political when they are really philosophical?

Kurt Browning is a conservative. He runs his office on a very small budget and does a terrific job. He effected a smooth transition to the electronic voting system without incident. He has an extremely diligent, dedicated staff that carries out its duties pleasantly and efficiently. His switch is long overdue.

Similarly, Steve Simon has been doing an excellent job. Often, he has been the only vote with Pat Mulieri in spite of the fact there are two other Republican commissioners who often vote with tax-and-spend Peter Altman. Why should Simon have to resign and run again as Bowen suggests? He didn't even have Republican opposition.

I am surprised the Democrats would want "payback." Where is that Democratic principle of tolerance for someone else's beliefs?

This Sunday editorial follows the editorial decision to allow an attack against Republicans in a guest column by ousted Republican party chairman Zoltan Mayer, who relocated out of the county after his removal -- which, by the way, was not a close decision. Zoltan Mayer was removed 87-3.

We welcome both Kurt Browning and Steve Simon to the Republican Party.
-- Ann Bunting, Bayonet Point

Pair switched parties to further careers

Editor: Absolute astonishment would be a proper representation of my reaction to Kurt Browning and Steve Simon's recent change of political heart. In the past, both men have expressed to me that their personal beliefs were more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party, opportunity for all, responsibility for all and a community for all people.

Mr. Browning has championed across the state that the office of supervisor of elections should be nonpartisan. If he truly believes his rhetoric, why not become an Independent?

Just one month ago, Mr. Simon conveyed to me his distrust and disagreement with the policy and direction that Gov. Bush and President Bush are taking our state and country. Friday, he admitted to me that he voted for more Democrats than Republicans, including Bill McBride over Jeb Bush. But now he had a change of heart? Mr. Simon blabbers about being a fiscal conservative. Does he now condones deficit spending as opposed to balanced budgets?

Both say they do not like the position of the new Democratic House of Representatives minority leader's position on equal rights and discrimination. As they were reaching their decisions to switch parties, the then-incoming Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott was apologizing to the nation for his bigoted actions. So Messrs. Browning and Simon, do you believe in segregation? Maybe you think it is okay as long as the outspoken "moral majority" is in control. How can two people who claim conviction and courage arbitrarily abandon their beliefs? It is obvious that their strongest belief is in their own political survival and the continuation of their jobs, an attribute unbecoming of an elected official.

As the news of the defections spread across the county's political circles, the truth about Mr. Simon surfaced. He sold his soul to the Republicans last summer. He promised to switch parties if the Republicans did not put an opponent against him in his bid for reelection in November. They kept their promise. In the process, he betrayed his friends and the people of Pasco County all for his own political well-being.

It is not my intention for your readers to think that I believe that the Democrats are 100 percent correct and the Republicans are 100 percent wrong. The fact is, I think both parties have good ideas. Kurt Browning and Steve Simon had a chance to improve the vision. Unfortunately, they chose not to lead, but to follow.
-- Michael Cox, New Port Richey

Party affiliation doesn't define officials

Editor: I would like to welcome Steve Simon and Kurt Browning and thank them for changing the voting card from a D to an R. It's only a letter change, but the D party is making a big stink about it. If you voted for them for the deeds that they did and what they stand for in your county, you will still vote for them.

If you had a Ford and you went to a good auto shop that you knew and trusted for years, and your auto fixer-upper was liked by you and he drove a Ford for years, went and bought a Chevy Astro, would you go to another place? Or would you stay with what you know is best for you and your car?

I am the chairman for the candidate recruitment committee of the Pasco Republican Party, and it is my job to find good Republicans who can do the job, to run in all the local races, not just that they are Republicans but that they can do the job if elected.

In the November election, I had the chance to vote for Steve Simon as no Republican was running for that seat, so I voted for him; he won. Stick by them, don't threaten them, as you know the Republican Party is the majority in Pasco. So if you do not stick by them, we will.
-- Chuck Rhall, Port Richey

New GOP chairman will serve us well

Editor: After reading Zoltan Mayer's guest column, it is easier to understand the mess that was the Republican Party of Pasco.

Republicans don't hold the beliefs that Mr. Mayer is espousing in his letter. We believe in equality for every American. That means we have equal opportunity to be whatever we can dream of. There are examples of this belief throughout America's history.

Mr. Mayer is right about the "right wing" Republicans being intolerant. We are intolerant of liberals trying to harm our country or party. Most of the list in his article is unconstitutional but is the manifest of the Democrats.

Since the Republican Party of Pasco has democratically removed the Democrats from leadership positions on the executive committee, the party has been able to get our message to the people, and with great candidates we have had great wins in the last two elections. It is obvious we have the ideas that the majority of people share, and the Democrats are the party of the left-wing fringe groups.

Hugh Townsend did a great job as chairman of the Republican Executive Committee, and hopefully, Bill Bunting will take us to new highs as chairman. Bill and his wife, Ann, have already brought so many like-minded people together, and we are sure there are many more out there.

We would like to extend an invitation to everyone who shares our beliefs that we should all have equal opportunities and we should obey and honor all of the Constitution and Bill of Rights to join the Republican Party.
-- Reggie Howard, Port Richey

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