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Repave roads while cutting fat from other initiativesLetters to the Editor© St. Petersburg Times published July 24, 2003 Editor: Officials: Tax hike needed for roads, July 17 Times. With only 25 percent of the residential roads left to be repaved, why scrap the program now? As I recall, neglect is why the majority of the roads were in such deplorable condition in the first place. Fortunately, my road has been repaved recently, but I would be upset if I lived in some other area that had not yet been completed, especially after waiting so long. It's amazing how the commissioners can fund unnecessary conglomerates like social services, their own bloated law firm, a regulatory cartel known as Code Enforcement, build parks at speeds faster than sound, have never laid eyes on a building they wouldn't want to buy or a consultant they wouldn't want to hire. When is this nonsense going to stop? I read where Commissioner Robert Schenck said nothing is a priority this year. Well, I believe he better check the record; repaving the roads was a major priority a few years ago, and in the minds of the people, whom he is supposed to represent, the need is still there. If he wants us to "live within our means," then he needs to cut some of the other empires mentioned above. -- N. Nelson, Spring Hill Weeki Wachee Springs park a ripoffEditor: Re: Weeki Wachee attraction. On July 14, my husband and I took our 5-year-old granddaughter to the Weeki Wachee Springs attraction. She was really excited about going to see the mermaids and going on the boat ride, etc. We arrived about 9:30 a.m. The mermaid show was scheduled for 11 a.m. We decided to see something else first. Maybe the boat ride. The restaurant was closed. The boats were down for repairs. They never informed us when we purchased our tickets (at full price) that most of the shows were closed. The mermaid show was great, as usual, but that was the only thing to see. It was a total ripoff. Everyone was saying the same thing; they won't be back. What happened to this park? It was great at one time. -- Mr. and Mrs. Hibbert, Brooksville Leader should have run as DemocratEditor: Vaunted tax break won't create jobs in Hernando, July 20 letter to the editor: Jamie Dees' letter was a very good description of all of the county commissioners. I consider Robert Schenck to be a Democrat like the other four liberals we have. I think he should have run as a Democrat in the last election. -- Jim Monk, Spring Hill County's pet owners deserve dog parkEditor: I would like to put in my 2 cents regarding the controversial subject of dog parks. In a county this size, I feel it is a crying shame there is not a single place where a dog can be let off a leash and allowed to run free for a little while. A place where dogs and owners can socialize a little bit would be great for all concerned. It is common throughout the country for such facilities to be used and enjoyed by taxpayers. It would come at a minimal expense and thousands of pet owners would greatly appreciate it. As far as maintenance, what better job could exist for those lawbreakers who are working off jail time by way of community service? Free labor to provide a well-maintained county property. The detractors just haven't thought out this situation thoroughly. A lot of good can be derived for a minimal expenditure, which is rare for government projects. -- William Kingeter, Spring Hill Weed-infested medians need cleaningEditor: In our 18 years in Spring Hill, I have never seen our median and swale areas around park sites so neglected. It makes Spring Hill look like a dump. I invite our commissioners to drive Deltona and Northcliffe Boulevards, set aside park sites at Courtland and Sheffield, and see weeds as high as an elephant's eye. There is $800,000 for a new park and recreation business building, as well as $40,000 for dog parks. But we can't get our weed-infested areas cut. -- Art Croci, Spring Hill Other needs must come before dog parksEditor: Re: Dog park. I am amazed at the number of letters you have printed regarding this subject. When the "city slickers" came to Brooksville and sold the "country bumpkins" a bill of goods on the Southern Hills Plantation project, I don't recall seeing any letters of outrage. This development project is just an example of the more important issues facing this county. I am against using taxpayers' dollars for such frivolous special interest projects that only a minority will use. I lived in Pinellas County for 13 years before moving to Hernando, and you could not enjoy certain beaches, parks and public areas because they were dirtied with dog litter. Our educational system, roads and service needs in this county are certainly much more important than dogs. Walk your dog in your own yard! -- M.L. Hildreth, Spring Hill Charging for medical records is unfairEditor: I am writing to complain about a recent charge made to me for copies of my test results from my physician. Moreover, my complaint is that I was told this charge is now necessary because of the new HIPAA Law and that if I was unhappy I should complain to my county commissioner (which I have just done). I think thateven if a physician can charge to make a copy or copies, it is not very patient friendly to do so when a patient cannot obtain a copy any other way. Surely this is not a big moneymaker for the physicians and in no way helps with the malpractice insurance costs they face. Furthermore, to pass it off as a law that came out of our local government is a cowardly way to make a few dollars. I have shared this complaint with Commissioner Robert Schenck and think that other unsuspecting seniors should be aware they too may be faced with this charge. Know that it is not a law, but a right that has been available to hospitals, clinics, physicians for years. -- Arlene R. Ludnick, Spring Hill Share your viewsThe 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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