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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 25, 2003
Editor: The taxpayers of Pasco County spend a great deal of money each year to maintain a very useful and information-filled Web site. However, information regarding the recent order to boil water was nowhere to be found on the Web site. This is a major oversight. How many fewer phone calls would the folks in the utilities area needed to handle if the average Joe could have simply been directed to the Web site? I am aware that the information has been posted on public access television, however in my neighborhood most of us have satellite, not cable.
My second issue regards constituent services and the way I was treated when I called the commission office to offer this suggestion. In my youth, I worked as an administrative assistant to a state senator, and as a constituent services coordinator for a congressman. Never have I been as disappointed in the treatment I have received from the office of an elected official, when attempting to simply leave a short message with my thoughts on how services could be improved.
-- William Boland, Trinity
Re: Why do you think we are at war? March 21.
Editor: You seemingly went out of your way to fill with some of the least educated and most ignorant opinions conceivable. So much for standards as to what you will print that spews out of people's mouth. Then again, calling these quotes opinions is a bit of a stretch as they do not demonstrate a semblance of critical thought. This is a stark contrast to the opinions you normally run from those who support the war, which tend to be more articulate and informed.
I have noticed that fewer people can differentiate between the war in Afghanistan and Gulf War II. This is not a war of us against "them" or all Muslims. This war is against Saddam and his armies. When people cannot distinguish between our purposes for war and our separate enemies, that carries a very frightening message.
-- James Pugliese, New Port Richey
Re: Traffic light at Old County Road 54.
Editor: As residents of the Seven Springs RV Park, we want to add our concern as to how many lives will it take to warrant getting a traffic light changed from a through green light in a left turn lane to a red arrow when all through traffic lanes are green.
This location has traffic coming over a curved bridge at highway speed of 50 to 60 mph approaching a corner where a driver may be making a legal left turn.
Hardly a day goes by without equipment from Fire Station 17 and state patrol cars being busy at that corner. Old County Road 54 is an extremely busy road and both the old and new State Road 54 promises to increase in traffic with all the development at the corner of 54 and Little Road. Maybe we should be sure the new hospital at that intersection has a good trauma room.
Will it take an accident or even the life of a member of the DOT's district secretary's family at this intersection to give us credit for being more caring about the lives and safety of our fellow men than he/she apparently is?
-- Richard and Geneva Bundy, New Port Richey
Editor: Now that the restriping of Moog Road West, from a passing road to a non-passing road, has been completed with new stripes and reflectors, we would like to thank Commissioner Ann Hildebrand for all of her help.
But, we still need some help with the speeders and trucks. We have received some help from a couple of the larger truckers like Keys Concrete and PWA Truck. They keep their trucks off Moog Road.
We sure could use the help of the Sheriff's Office with some daytime speed control on Moog Road. Some of our other problem speeders are county trucks. Just maybe, County Administrator John Gallagher could be of some help in this area. Do you suppose?
-- Albert Kuiper, Holiday
Editor: I would like to thank whoever can take credit for wasting hundreds of thousands of taxpayers' dollars on trying to pave Embassy Boulevard.
I have lived in the second house off Embassy for almost 18 years and travel it every day. About 15 years ago it was paved and raised about three inches.
I could not see any reason to pave it as it was fine. They came and chopped up all the old pavement and paved it with two coats in some spots. The section by U.S. 19 had at least 12 potholes after it was done and they had to dig up again. It is still unfinished and they left piles of old tar and equipment on private property and on our sidewalks.
We had a nice even road now it is a washboard, undone, and a mess. We have not seen workers for more than three months, could they have been fired?
-- Chuck Rhall, Port Richey
Editor: I have been substitute teaching in Pasco schools for 14 years. I am always impressed with the dedication and professional attitude of our administrators, teachers and support staff. The climate in our schools is positive and cheerful.
I have a seasoned perspective as a senior, the mother of two Gulf High grads and as a parent of three 30-somethings whose New York state commencement classes were 1,600 each. Both school systems were comparable in their high standards and skilled faculty.
Recently, I was a "floater" as the focus was on FCAT schedules. I observed team work and security, supportive strategies and encouraging smiles. Although my preferred position is substitute teacher at Gulf High and River Ridge High, I embraced the opportunity to be an extra pair of eyes on the field at Chasco Elementary. The three-hour recreation plan sounded engaging to me but what enthusiasm would I encounter after testing.
Chasco's campus is safe and immaculate. Perhaps I have a bias as my sister Laura Miller is a kindergarten teacher at Chasco but I witnessed myself 950 gleeful boys and girls becoming well-rounded citizens.
Parents, pupils and professionals you should be proud of Pasco schools.
-- Judith Maher Riordan, New Port Richey
Editor: I live in Longleaf on State Road 54 in Pasco County. There is a street (Nichlaus Street) which connects Longleaf to SR 54. This street runs through Fairway Springs. This street has been blocked, which prevents any traffic a direct route into the Melon Field area of Longleaf.
If I call for police, fire or ambulance, I naturally assume they are responding via the shortest and safest route. If you live where I do, this is not the case. Instead of using Nichlaus they are forced to use either Starkey Boulevard or Ellington to Town Avenue.
I have contacted numerous agencies and no one can tell me why or how this street can remain closed. The only answer I have received is that it was an agreement between Longleaf and Fairway Springs to prevent construction vehicles from driving through Fairway Springs to get to Melon Field area of Longleaf. That may have been fine when construction first began but now there are people living in the Melon Field section. I think we deserve the best possible response when we call Pasco County Emergency Services.
-- David Rogers, Longleaf
Editor: How can you be trusting these days when someone is ready to take advantage?
We recently purchased a small mobile home on our own lot in a nice park. This gave us a little more room especially for my disabled husband.
Our happiness soon turned to horror when we discovered the small bathroom floor was rotten and ready to collapse when walked on and the seller admitted to knowing this after the sale! The toilet leaked badly, but did not show. Since then many repairs were needed, the worst being the rotten floor.
What was to be our final move turned into a horrible nightmare especially on our small income and savings. We blame ourselves, but also the negligence of both real estate agents and the so-called inspector. A hard and costly lesson.
-- Pat Vlha, New Port Richey