Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Re: Decades later, dredging advocate reaps reward, July 20 C.T. Bowen column
>-- Editor: With all due respect to Mr. Al Meyer, he is not the only one who has been working hard to get the dredging of the Hudson Channel off the ground.
We represent the Hudson Beach Yacht Club and have been in constant contact with Jo Ellen Miller and Mauricio Guerrero, of the Pasco County Engineering Department, over the past several years. Most recently we circulated a petition and gathered over 400 signatures to try to get this project moving forward. We sent copies of this petition to the representatives of the 5th and 9th congressional districts, U.S. House of Representative, and the two U.S. Senators from Florida. We have heard nothing from three of them - not even a courtesy acknowledgment.
However, U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite not only e-mailed us, we received two calls from Washington, D.C., and her office did get in touch with the Pasco County Engineering Department for more information. She contacted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and also the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and, we feel, has been a great help in moving things along. Let's give credit where credit is due! There is enough to go around.
We feel that perhaps your political bias is showing. We just want to set the record straight.
Editor: Is the superintendent of schools elected or appointed? Apparently here in Pasco County, the reigning monarch of schools gets to appoint his successor. I would suggest that in other parts of the country, like New York, where education is given the attention and funds it deserves, it is customary to conduct a nationwide search for the best candidate for a district this big, with a superintendent's salary that large. Let John Long's best man compete with the best the country has to offer.
A second and less important issue is John Long's short attachment to the Democratic Party here in Pasco County. Why the rush to appointment before considering whether Pasco County, let alone Central Florida, might have Democrats qualified for this job? It would seem that Long's feet may be down at the level of the Democratic Party where I toil, but his head is way up with the other movers and shakers of Pasco County whose allegiance is to the party of power, not politics.
Lastly, a comment on LaVaunne Miller, who currently heads the Democratic Executive Committee in Pasco County. Miller's tacit approval of Long's rush to endorsement clearly illustrates why she is the wrong person for that position, now and during the last election when she should have resigned along with state Chairman Bob Poe for piloting the Democratic ship onto the rocks. She follows when she should lead, she speaks when she should remain silent. If Miller were Moses, and the Pasco County Democrats the Israelites, we'd still be wandering somewhere in the desert. So enough, if LaVaunne Miller won't lead, perhaps it's time for her to get out of our way, because the Democrats are uniting and moving forward, with or without her.
Editor: Look who is supporting the Penny for Pasco sales tax increase. Tom Castriota does not live in Pasco. He sold his home in Pasco with about 25 acres for $3.2-million and moved to Hillsborough. Then he writes a letter to the editor with his business in Hudson.
While a business does give some connection to a county, that source of concern can be very different from a resident's. Most residents want to see more controlled growth, since more growth means higher taxes for everyone. Businesses could very well want more growth even if they have to pay higher property taxes because it means more customers. The sales tax increase will mean more taxes because more roads and schools will mean more growth.
Another supporter of the tax who doesn't live in Pasco is Charlie Reese. He lives in Hillsborough. Just why would a nonresident care about Pasco?
Alan Altman is a Pasco resident, but he has close ties to Ted Schrader. He was Schrader's campaign manager. Schrader has been linked to large landholders. He is himself a large landholder. Depending on where those new roads go, some large landholders will benefit, with taxpayers picking up the costs of new roads that will enable their property to be developed.
I think Lee Henley is right. We have to look at these so-called community supporters of this sales tax increase. I also think we'll find some other motivation with many if not all of them.
Editor: Why is it that it takes us so long to figure out simple things. Recycling is easy, won't fill our landfills, creates money for the county, creates a few more jobs, cleans up the neighborhood. Let people know that they are doing something to help the environment.
If they don't want to create a mandatory pickup for newspapers, then at least publish a list of places where the people who are concerned can bring their recyclables.
It's such a little thing that could help in a great way.
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.