Editor: East Pasco County, in many ways, reminds me of Miami decades ago. Back then Miami had three highly distinctive and identifiable communities: black, white and Hispanic. We Miami residents missed our golden opportunity to become a well-integrated, multiracial, multiethnic community. Today, east Pasco faces a similar situation. We stand poised at a colossal crossroad. Shall we embrace our cultural diversity, finding strength and unity in its truly American nature, or will we, like the proverbial ostrich, stick our heads in the sand and deny its inevitability?
An action we could take is to call a conference, or meeting, of our community leaders with the idea of simply agreeing to discuss our current cultural circumstances. We then could analyze our demographics, project expected trends, set community goals and firmly establish a plan for collective collaborative growth and development. A gathering of our esteemed leadership, representing all our various racial and ethnic groups, might possibly be convened on the Dade City campus of Pasco-Hernando Community College.
Our greatest strength here in east Pasco, if we choose to embrace it, is our unique cultural diversity.
I propose that we attempt to become such a progressive community. A community proudly noted for its passion for cultural inclusion, mutual respect, and collective cooperation.
All Americans, as well as all those aspiring to become Americans, need only two empowering conditions: justice and the opportunity to succeed. Our collective goal should center on these simple principles. And these conditions shall be readily accessible to all Pasco residents.
-- Bob Loring, Zephyrhills
City should not contract out police dispatcher's post
Editor: I am so disappointed in the city of Port Richey and its council members. No matter what important event arises, you can always count on Dale Massad, Phyllis Grae and Pat Guttman to vote together. The citizens of Port Richey really have no idea what they are truly in for.
If the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and the city of New Port Richey have any sense whatsoever, they will walk, no run, from the idea of contracting the police dispatching. It would keep them from a lot of unwanted publicity, and the antics of Port Richey Council.
The money spent on the consultant's study could have been put to better use. The council should have done the study. I would have welcomed any one of them to sit with me in dispatch and try to keep up with all that I am required to do. They would have appreciated the way I treat the citizens, and the way I go the extra mile to help them, and treat them with care, because I genuinely do care.
Perhaps council members would be willing to give up their monthly pay so the city can save some money? Perhaps the council will wake up and have a study conducted of City Hall, to see where they can save some money, because I can bet a lot of unnecessary money is being wasted there!
Whatever happens, citizens of Port Richey, you voted these people into office, it was your responsibility to really look at the accomplishments of each member on the council so you could make an informed decision.
-- Tammy Bully-Carr, New Port Richey
Help is needed to protect grandchildren from their parents
Editor: We have been called cradle robbers, child snatchers, kidnappers, people suffering from empty nest syndrome, and menopausal witches. These are some of the nicer names that we have been called by our own children. We are grandparents who have become parents again to our children's children.
We did raise our children right but as adults they have made their own bad choices. We raised our children in an era filled with easy drugs, easy sex, and turmoil going on in the world. We did the best we could for our children. They are the ones who chose drugs or abusive mates over the teachings we instilled in them. Now we are having to protect their children from them.
The children have been traumatized by the things that they have gone through. These are children, the innocents, and they are our future.
It is very hard to turn your back on that child you raised but it is often the only way you can protect your grandchildren.
If you are a grandparent trying to get custody of your grandchildren, there are some very specific do's and don'ts. Demand a "Guardian Ad Litem' if necessary. They represent the child/children only, and are looking out for the best interest of the child. Document everything. Keep a log of all the phone calls, visitations, threats, doctor visits and outcomes.
Things you should not do are as important as the things you should do. Do not go into the courtroom with your personal thoughts showing. The judge is not interested in how you tried to be a good mother. His only interest is in what is best for the child in the case before him. You need to leave all the hurt outside the door.
There are many programs out there to help you, especially if the children involved have been adjudicated dependent by the state. Take advantage of all the programs that you can get help from. Don't forget that this time around you did not have nine months to plan the future of your child. You also do not have the financial means that you had before you retired because most of the grandparents raising grandchildren are living on Social Security or a pension.
And most importantly, get support. Most of your friends and neighbors are not in your position. You are going to have questions that they cannot answer. You are going to have those moments when you just need to talk to someone who does know how it feels. We are out here and willing to share with you. For a support group in your area you can call The Kinship Care Warmline at 1-800-640-6444. There is also an online support group that is filled with valuable information and good old-fashioned support. The site is FloridaGRG@yahoogroups.com
Since our grandchildren are also your future, we need the public support from the citizens of Florida, the Florida legislature, and from attorneys. The Legislature needs to enact bills that aid grandparents raising grandchildren. They need to hear the public's voice in order to be motivated to do so. Attorneys of this great state could help us by reducing their rates for grandparents trying to get custody or adopting their grandchildren. Pro bono cases would be for a great cause - our future. It takes a lot more than a village to raise children, it also takes a lot of money that our Social Security checks just do not cover.
-- Diane L. Thibodeau, Sebring
Share your views
The Pasco Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.
Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length (250-300 words maximum as a rule).
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. Anonymous letters or letters with initials only will not be printed.
Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668.
