Editor: It is again time to remind Hernando County residents, especially those of Spring Hill, that when you buy your gas in Pasco County, it is Pasco County that gets the gas tax.
Pasco County commissioners do not pay for the building of roads in Hernando County.
Buy your gas in Hernando County, so your gas taxes will build roads in Hernando County.
-- Monroe W. Treiman, Brooksville
Seniors struggle to use crates for recyclables
Editor: Re: Fee, crates bog down plan for required recycling, July 22 letter to the editor.
I really had a good laugh when I read Florence Olynik's letter. She hit the nail on the head. I agree with her 100 percent about the large plastic crates we are to use in ZIP Code 34606 to recycle our paper and cans, etc. I hope the person who designed these plastic crates - when they reach the age of 74, like me - will try to pick them up and bring them down to the bottom of the driveway.
As John McEnroe once said, "You cannot be serious." It's unreal to believe that we seniors will be doing this at our own expense, and Waste Management of Pasco will sell this stuff and make money on it. Who dreamed of this moneymaking operation? It sure wasn't the voters who are paying for it.
There must be another way to collect this stuff without the senior citizens of this county winding up in the hospitals with broken legs, backs or arms from dragging these crates to the curb.
I won't even bother calling our commissioners, but be sure they will hear from the people of ZIP 34606 when election time rolls around.
Things are really getting out of hand in this county, but I'm not moving.
-- Wanda T. Bashen, Spring Hill
Rescue workers' effort is something to be proud of
Editor: I would like to thank my dear friend Lt. Craig Baxley for risking his life to try to save the 16-year-old Boy Scout who drowned. I also would like to thank the Spring Hill and Hernando County fire rescue workers.
I said it once and I'm going to repeat it: The Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Spring Hill Fire and Rescue and the Hernando County Fire Rescue employees are the most respected departments. They are always there when we are in danger. They risk their own lives when we are in danger.
God bless them all.
-- Rachael Rodriguez, Spring Hill
Late teacher was victim of schools' harsh drug policy
Editor: Chalk up another victim to the Hernando County School Board's "zero tolerance" policy.
Clyde Daughtry, a 22-year veteran teacher, died recently. Last spring he was summarily dismissed from his job, the love of his life, for an off-campus misdemeanor arrest for marijuana possession. Clyde pleaded with the superintendent and School Board to give him a second chance. They refused, seeking cover under their strict "zero tolerance" policy for drugs.
While a progressive Republican governor like George Pataki in New York seeks to liberalize his state's drug laws and the voters of several states have actually moved toward legalization of some marijuana, the Hernando County school system remains a rock. Millions of Americans surreptitiously use marijuana for recreational purposes in a manner not unlike our grandparents' use of alcohol during Prohibition. I am not promoting or condoning drug use, merely stating a fact.
Clyde Daughtry is gone now, and nothing can bring him back. His family and former students also are victims of "zero tolerance."
Perhaps the board should change its policy to "zero compassion."
-- Jeff Stabins, Weeki Wachee
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