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Editor: Re: Sending a little bit of home, April 1 Times:
I take exception to the statement made by Times staff writer Robert King in the article in which he states that "while the American government supplies troops with guns, ammunition and equipment, it pays less attention to items further down the priority list. Once the initial supply of toiletries runs out, troops are left to fend for themselves."
Surely this was meant as an April Fool's Day joke. Mr. King would do well to check with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and he would find out that troops are not left to "fend for themselves." The exchange service has war and contingency plans tested many times under field conditions that included the Gulf War.
I was assigned to the exchange service's Europe headquarters and was tasked with writing and testing such plans. The plans were continuously tested during field training exercises and updated as the situation warranted (i.e., would the support be to a desert, a mountainous or a humid environment). The purpose of the plans was to provide for the morale and welfare of the troops in a forward deployment and ensure an adequate supply of comfort items.
Again, I would urge Mr. King to contact the the exchange service's headquarters in Dallas to determine if the troops are left to "fend for themselves." (Just as an afterthought, I found during my Army career that the best brush for cleaning my weapon was the one included in the cleaning kit for that weapon.)
Editor: Having served in the military, I understand the joys of receiving mail from home. As a former teacher, I would like to correspond with prior students who are currently serving in the military.
I am sure there are many teachers who also would love to write.
If you have a Hernando County graduate serving in the military, please send their address to: Rhonda Hancock, 3398 Saturn Road, Brooksville, FL 34604, or e-mail me at rhondah71@hotmail.com and I will facilitate correspondence between our service personnel and local teachers. Please designate which school the service member graduated from or attended.
Editor: Re: Brown-Waite's name put on antiwar hoax, April 4 Times:
I most certainly do not condone in any way the act of breaking into a computer as a "prank," especially one belonging to a U.S. congresswoman.
However, Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite should remember, and I hope she has not forgotten, the unfortunate "prank" pulled by members of her political group who stole U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman's political signs.
Brown-Waite's husband and another supporter were caught red-handed by Hernando County deputies. Thurman did not press charges.
Let's hope that in this case Brown-Waite will be able to catch the person or people who sent out the e-mail in her name denouncing the Iraqi war and the involvement of President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld.
Editor: County employees will soon decide on unionization. With a yes vote, the employees could put an end to unfair labor practices, stop the handpicking of friends for promotions, make sure all newly created jobs are posted, see to it that safety issues are addressed, have equitable discipline when it comes to grievances (including nonbiased legal representation), curtail the ability to interpret policy at various whims, and seniority could finally mean something. That's just for starters.
It is up to county employees to finally decide if they want a say in their employment environment, benefits and wages. Most employees surely have auto and home insurance. Why wouldn't they want job insurance?
Editor: I am an employee of Hernando County, and I have worked for the Utilities Department for 91/2 years. Some employees are trying to get a union started for county employees. I would like to ask that everyone take a few minutes and research some of the pros and cons about this union before deciding.
I recently attended one of the informational union meetings and found out some interesting information. I was told that the number of people supporting the union was strong, yet there were only about 15 people at the meeting. When the question "What can the union do for me?" was asked, the answer given was: We can negotiate for better pay, better benefits and representation so that everyone gets equal treatment.
When I was hired, and through the years of being promoted, I agreed to take the job, thus agreeing to the pay. The county does not owe employees a raise. Yes, it is nice to get one, but they don't have to give this. In the years I have worked for the Utilities Department, I have received a raise every year, without a union.
If a union is voted in and management and the union do not agree on the amount of a raise, the employee gets nothing until they do agree. What leverage does the union have? None, employees cannot strike; Florida is a right-to-work state.
You can look at the Hernando County School District, which has three times the number of employees, and see we currently have a better benefits package than they do, and they have a union. The Hernando County firefighters have the same benefits we do, and they have a union. So, it doesn't make sense to me why I would need to pay union dues for better benefits.
Regarding representation, I am a grown man, and I don't need anyone to hold my hand or to speak for me. If I do something wrong, I am willing to accept the punishment my supervisors deem necessary in accordance with established policies and procedures. I work for Hernando County; they do not work for me.
At the informational union meeting I realized I was not going to change any of their minds, and that is okay. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. The only thing I ask is take the time and do a little research about AFSCME before you make your decision. I would hope my fellow employees would take the time and not believe everything they hear, good or bad.
In 30 minutes on the Internet I found that in 1998 the president of AFSCME made $352,404.00 a year, not including his benefits package. How do you think he got all this? Union dues!
I can speak only of the Utilities Department, but I believe it is one of the best places to work in Hernando County.
When you were hired by the county, you made a choice: If the pay and benefits are not good enough, go somewhere else. No one made you get a job here. You made that choice.
Are there things that may need to be changed at the county? I am sure there are, but at the expense of union dues taken out of my paycheck? Not this employee.
The Hernando Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.
Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length.
Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.
All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed.
Send your letter to Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613. To fax a letter, call 754-6133. Send letters by e-mail (in text-only format) to hernando@sptimes.com