Editor: I would like to congratulate Anclote Elementary for its wonderful work. I think the elementary school teachers in Pasco work very hard and I am proud that my two children are products of one such school.
I felt the strong need to congratulate Northwest Elementary of Hudson. This school has 70 to 75 percent of its students receiving free and reduced lunch. They have 46 percent student mobility, and these wonderful teachers managed to have only 20 percent of their third-graders fail. Any failure is nothing to brag about, but in comparison to 10 of the 12 schools reported in the May 18 Times, Northwest has a higher poverty level and a lower failure rate.
This is because of the fine group of volunteers, teachers and parents that care enough. It has been far too often that the media overlook the fine schools of Hudson. The community of Hudson has a lot to be proud of.
-- Rhonda Starr-Odajewski, Hudson
Come sell your pride, conscience in Pasco
Editor: I am a proud resident of West Pasco and I would like to share some words of encouragement with our more adversarial citizens.
Each year the great city of New Port Richey hosts the Chasco Fiesta in honor of Native Americans. We all get to dress up like television Indians and throw beads and sell fake jewelry and dream catchers.
Our pride and honor do not stop with the fiesta. The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce representatives urge all business owners to go out and buy a gun so that they can kill American Indian activists. The president of the chamber has suggested that these activists could then be buried for free. (In these hard economic times that is one less major expense a human rights advocate would have to worry about.)
Now if any citizen might have a somewhat speckled past, he or she could enjoy the promote Pasco Tourism gun shows where the policy of we don't ask and you don't have to tell is very popular.
Also, if any citizen in search of a new gun to kill American Indian activists has a gift of the gambling spirit, he or she might attend a GOP function attended by residents and politicians from commissioners on up to the state attorney general. At such functions one can purchase a raffle ticket for a brand new shiny handgun.
And please do not forget about our T-shirts with the new slogan of our community proudly printed on it "from my cold dead conscience."
-- Peno Hardesty, Alfred Gioielli, New Port Richey
Shop where you live to support local business
Editor: Hudson and Holiday residents, get a life. Do you think there are no residents living in the vicinity of the Wal-Mart in Port Richey or New Port Richey? One letter even stated they didn't mind driving a few miles to shop at the existing Wal-Mart. Sure, put all the traffic in one area instead of spreading it around.
I live east of U.S. 19 and Ridge Road and, believe me, it takes about 10 traffic light changes before I can cross 19. Consequently, I drive miles on back roads to cross 19 and come in the back way to my home.
Believe me, I won't drive a few miles to a Wal-Mart in your area and it would be great if fewer people came to the one in our area.
Why don't you shop at the stores in our area that you are so worried about being put out of business?
-- Dee Stilson, Port Richey
Another Wal-Mart will only lead to more traffic
Editor: We live in a cul-de-sac in Beacon Woods and have a hard time getting onto Clock Tower Drive when the snowbirds are here. Now, some people think it would be nice to have another Wal-Mart north of us? The traffic from State Road 52 to U.S. 19 would not only be heavier but dangerous for all concerned.
Some want to lighten the traffic at Ridge Road and burden us with it. You call that positive thinking? Go to the Port Richey store and leave us alone! It is only 3 miles from here - why do we need another one?
-- Jean and Betty Balmer, Port Richey
Share your views
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Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668.
