Letters to the Editors

Seven Hills shares no blame for failure of apartment plan

Editor: Re: Low-cost housing down, but not out, April 3 Times:

The announcement by Kristin Miller, president of the Richman Group, that the "low-income" housing project called Spring Haven Apartments was to be abandoned came as welcome news. However, I take exception to her flawed reasoning.

She insists the decision to return some $9-million in bonds to the Hernando County Housing Authority was based on strident community opposition some have negatively characterized as a "not in my back yard," or "NIMBY," attitude. And on April 8, guest cartoonist Bob Zaratzian contributed to the fallacy with his ridiculous depiction of Seven Hills Homeowners Association as "NIMBY." I find it demeaning, insulting and pure propaganda.

This is not the first time the Richman Group has abandoned a project. Quoting the Vero Beach Press Journal (March 7 by staff writer Michael Kaiser), "Developers seeking to exploit a window of opportunity to gain public help in financing an affordable housing project had the door closed in their face . . . . The Indian River County Commission rejected a request from the Richman Group of Florida, Inc. to finance $400,000 of impact fees at no- to low-interest over 30 years."

This time it was the state of Florida slamming the door in its face, not the residents of Hernando County, wrongly accused by the Richman Group and the Hernando Housing Authority. Quoting Times staff writer Steve Bousquet (April 5 Metro section): "To pay the state's bills next year, the House emptied a separate fund for housing for the poor."

No money, no Spring Haven.

Stop blaming Seven Hills for the Richman Group's failure to build in Hernando County. When it became apparent that funds were not forthcoming, true to form, the Richman Group packed its bags and left. We are grateful for that decision, but in no way are we responsible for Richman's failure to build Spring Haven.

If we wish to avoid a repeat of the hard-fought battle just won against Spring Haven, based on our reasons (traffic, water and school deficiencies), not their fictitious ones, we must avail ourselves of the opportunity to initiate a petition under Section 6 of Article VI of Appendix A of the Hernando County Code of Ordinances, by which 51 percent of the owners within the area to be rezoned may initiate a rezoning. A group of concerned residents of Seven Hills plans to circulate and file such a petition for rezoning to other than multifamily housing. We hope to accomplish this with an excess of 51 percent.
-- Jean C. Marin, Spring Hill

Higher trash pickup charge a tax hike

Editor: Hernando County Commissioners are imposing mandatory trash recycling, effective July 1, for ZIP codes 34606, 34608 and 34609. This was done despite the failure of several prior attempts to have the majority of Spring Hill residents approve recycling, along with extra monthly trash collection fees.

For this privilege, homes in the three ZIP Codes must pay $1.60 extra monthly for trash pickup, whether they participate in recycling, plus a $62.50 annual landfill tab assessed to all taxpayers.

This amounts to a tax increase, pure and simple. Furthermore, it is equivalent to a county ordinance without the benefit of public hearings; such legislation is not right and must stop.

The contract for recycling was awarded to Waste Management of Pasco without the benefit of competitive bidding. The county Utilities Department cited "urgency" as the reason for this poor management practice. There is no urgency. They must provide us with quality services at the lowest possible cost. To achieve this, competitive bids are not only necessary, but essential.

If this folly is to continue, then the county must offset the additional $1.60 per month with corresponding reductions in the $62.50 landfill assessments of the thousands of homeowners forced to participate in the recycling program. Or, the county should find a contractor who will bear all the costs, keep all the profitsand eliminate any costs to taxpayers.

Of course, all county taxpayers are aware it is only a matter of time until this costlier recycling program is expanded to include all ZIP codes. Please contact your elected commissioners now.
-- Michael Parks, Spring Hill

Keep junk vehicles out of sight

Editor: Re: Derelict cars in yards may have to go, April 7 Times:

I hope something is done about abandoned and inoperative vehicles. I drive by a house with a garage in Spring Hill where there are two such vehicles parked in the front yard. One has no license at all, and the other one has an expired license from more than a year ago.

It certainly creates a bad impression for the neighborhood and does nothing but decrease real estate values. Why not require such vehicles to be stored out of sight behind a privacy fence in the back yard if garage storage is not available?
-- Edna Watts, Spring Hill

Community's beauty is worth preserving

Editor: Maybe Hardee Huntley of Tampa would think of buying Winter Haven's Cypress Gardens and save some of God's loving country here in Spring Hill.

I'm very sorry to hear of all the items for sale. I've lived in Spring Hill 34 years. U.S. 19 was a two-lane road then, and Spring Hill Drive was only open to Newhope Road.

I have visited Cypress Gardens many times, and it was and is a very pretty place to spend a day or two.

I really enjoy reading about the ups and downs of Spring Hill in the St. Petersburg Times, about the code enforcement rules, etc. When I moved here you couldn't put one thing 7 feet from the property line. Now the houses are added on to where you can't even work on some property.
-- Gloria Ann Palmer, Spring Hill

Must we play political football?

Editor: Re: Gift to administrator raises some questions, April 11 Times:

So many of us wasted so much time on the affordable housing issue. I mean meetings, hearings, petitions, letters to the editor and more.

Is it possible that all we had to do was buy County Administrator Richard Radacky a football?
-- John Campbell, Brooksville

Cut in veterans benefits unmentioned

Editor: Re: For a war long ago, vet gets his award, April 16 Times:

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite was in Brooksville this week to present a long-delayed Purple Heart medal to Thomas Sacco. Sacco was wounded in 1945, but because of bureaucratic delays and a fire that destroyed records, he never received the citation until now.

One wonders if Ms. Brown-Waite relayed to Mr. Sacco that a few weeks earlier she had voted to approve the president's budget. That budget provided $1-trillion or so for his wealthy friends, but in order to afford that, it was necessary to cut veterans benefits.
-- Neil A. Hilmer, Weeki Wachee

Side with America, right or wrong

Editor: Re: Most veterans applaud toppling of Iraqi leader, April 10 letter to the editor:

Why does Brian Moore think he should speak for the millions of Iraqi and American citizens? Mr. Moore you have a gift. It's called freedom of speech, and you have the right to utilize it to the fullest. But while you're doing that, don't forget why you have that gift. That gift was given to us due to the many sacrifices of our veterans, and it will continue to be maintained by our present and future solders.

If you want to take up a cause, why not side with the veterans and help them get the benefits they deserve? America isn't perfect, but she is ours, and if you live under her flag and off her fruits, then stand by her and what she represents. Whether America is right or wrong, you side with her.

So, quit your whining; the war is almost over. And if you want to know where the victory was, I say look at your TV and see the Iraqi people dancing and celebrating their newfound freedom.
-- Ida Heredia, Spring Hill

Share your views

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

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