For safety's sake, make sure seniors are fit to drive
Published August 1, 2003
Editor: I read with interest the findings that Florida leads all states in elderly driving deaths. Why is this? I think the state of Florida should implement stronger rules governing licensing elderly people. There has been one step taken: requiring all seniors to get their eyes checked before they can renew their driver's license.
I live in New Port Richey by the most unsafe road in Florida, U.S. 19. Anyone who drives on this highway takes their life into their own hands because law enforcement has failed to enforce laws.
Ticket for speeding, ticket for illegal turns, ticket for running red lights, ticket for failure to stop before turning right on red, ticket for improper lane changing, using turn signals. Enforce the laws! Officers need to make themselves seen on the roads.
Require all people 65 or older to have a complete physical by a licensed physician each year, especially those who have to use walkers, canes and other implements to help them walk. Make sure these people are able to use their legs to step on the brakes.
We all complain about teenagers driving. Give me a teenage driver any day. All teenagers have to take a road test and written test before they can get a license to drive. Seniors should have to take road tests also.
-- Jean Payton, New Port Richey
Don't rush to cancel watering restrictions
Editor: Swiftmud is reportedly planning to cancel its watering restrictions.
I encourage the County Commission to leave them in place nevertheless. We have been living with them for several years, and the lawns are doing just fine.
We don't need to get into a restrictions-no restrictions cycle. Plus, the water levels are apparently where they were before. Why not wait until water levels are overflowing?
-- Ernest Lane, New Port Richey
Investment in public library is an investment in our future
Editor: It is essential to the quality of life for New Port Richey residents to keep and maintain our city library.
The library plays an important role providing residents with computers, CDs, videos, magazines and books. The library provides a nurturing environment for our community that strengthens civic awareness and provides numerous opportunities for personal growth. The library is a social meeting place providing numerous programs accessible to all ages.
The New Port Richey Library offers free access to all. We, as residents, get an immediate return on our dollars spent. It is an investment for our future. Don't give away this valuable resource. Don't deprive the city of the opportunity to be information literate.
-- Jeanne Rogers, New Port Richey
Elks lodge bingo games should comply with smoking rules
Editor: This is a complaint about the "no smoking" rules. The Elks Lodge of New Port Richey might be a private club, but it caters to the public and should be made to abide.
Their bingo games are open to the public, and they do serve food. There is a "no smoking" section on one side of the room, but they allow tables of smokers. After attending their bingo games and sitting in the nonsmoking section, you come home with your clothes smelling like tobacco.
The DAV now follows the nonsmoking rule, and other clubs should do the same. They have an occasional timeout for smokers to go outside.
If you can't stand going without a cigarette for a few hours, you should consider giving up smoking.
-- Alice McConaghy, New Port Richey
In age-restricted communities, the rules are rules for everyone
Re: Lemonade stand.
Editor: It seems everyone is crucifying the Seven Springs Villas association for doing its job. People move to age-restricted communities for peace and quiet. That doesn't make them child haters or grouchy old dotards.
The statement from the mother that "Florida redeemed itself" bothered me. Redeem ourselves for what? Anyone should read and understand the rules and restrictions before buying anywhere. Therefore, I would assume the grandmother was aware that a lemonade stand was a no-no. She could have told the children it was a wonderful idea, that she was proud of them, then explained the condo rules and encouraged them to act on this plan when they returned home.
Rules are rules.
-- Judith Pekarski, Spring Hill
Don't rush kids through school, keep classes in better order
Editor: Now I believe I have heard everything! Instead of focusing on how we can educate our children better, the powers that be are considering reducing class size by pushing students through high school in three years instead of four.
Superintendent John Long of Pasco County says that having kids move out in three years has some appeal. What a stupid way to try to fix the education problem we have.
Reducing class size will not even help fix the problem. The real fix would be returning discipline to the scene. No matter what size class a teacher has, if they are not permitted to enforce rules and maintain order, they cannot teach.
Even if a child is willing and tries to learn in school, it is extremely difficult to do in a hostile and lawless environment.
-- Mrs. Donald G. Merritt Sr., Seminole
Departure of Lola's restaurant takes away a Friday tradition
Editor: After a long week of road trips, my favorite Friday destination was Lola's.
I was greeted so warmly by Lola, Boris and Mitzi. My beverage was waiting (I swear that Mitzi has eyes in the back of her head) and would seat myself among some of the finest friends I've come to know while frequenting Lola's. They stood alone in service and quality of food.
Boris and Mitzi, you will be greatly missed and I hope our paths will cross again.
-- Jim Wharton, Port Richey
Patrons will miss friendliness of caring staff at Lola's
Editor: Twenty-two years ago Thanksgiving Day, I walked into Lola's and sat down at the bar to order a drink. I had been in Florida for two weeks to start a new job.
A very pleasant gal came up to me and introduced herself as Lola, the owner. She said she had not seen me before and asked if I was new to the area. I explained to her that I was indeed new to the area and my wife would be joining me in about two weeks. She said that it had to be lonely without family on a holiday.
Upon leaving, Lola came up to me and stated that they had prepared a Thanksgiving Day dinner for me. She said it was on the house. I was astonished. However, that was Lola.
I'm going to miss Lola, Mike, Boris, Mitzi, Jeanette and all the staff. All your patrons will miss you all!
-- William G. Quinn, New Port Richey
Bob Hope never gave military anything less than his best
Editor: Because I had written a Times guest column on the occasion of Bob Hope's 100th birthday, I was called by one national wire service and interviewed by one local TV station when he died.
I consider myself very fortunate to have had a chance to see Mr. Hope perform when I was in the service. I was privileged to have a small part in celebrating his birthday. And finally, I was very blessed to be able to praise him after his passing.
But I would like to say just one more thing, Bob. There is a strong connection in my mind between your efforts for the troops and an unforgettable scene in the movie Jerry Maguire in which Renee Zellweger tells Tom Cruise, "You had me at "Hello,' " when Cruise goes into verbal overdrive trying to apologize for his actions and get back together with her.
Bob, you had all of the servicemen and women in the palm of your hand when you just said, "Hello." Thanks for never taking that for granted. Thanks for never giving a careless performance or ever giving anything less than your best, even though you had the built-in goodwill of the audience. And thanks for making us laugh amid the loneliness, the pain and the gloom.
If we in Florida hear some extra thunder this summer, we shouldn't worry. It is just extra laughter coming from above. It's Bob Hope. And he had them at "Hello."
-- Douglas Spangler, Palm Harbor
Take care of your pets and get unconditional love in return
Editor: We lost our 15-year-old Yorkshire terrier, "Nessie," on June 30. When we read the article about Clifford and the billboard, we wished we had thought of that. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful, loyal pet.
True, pet owners consider their pets members of the family, not just dogs. We are as generous to people and things around us as most pet lovers are. We donate our fair share to charity and good causes. We sometimes donated in Nessie's name to remain anonymous. We can assure you that we, as pet lovers, contribute our fair share to the community.
We are also the ones who take our pets to the vet on a regular basis, don't let them run loose in the neighborhood, don't chain them to a tree in the hot sun. Give them their shots each year. In return for this, we receive this unconditional, truest form of love.
-- Peggy and Les Manuel, New Port Richey
Driver was cruel and careless in running over gopher tortoise
Were you driving on Jasmine Road, New Port Richey, about 12:40 p.m. July 21? Why did you run over a 50-year-old gopher tortoise? It was almost to the center line. Why did you not stop or go around? There were no cars behind you or next to you. You did not stop to help after you ran over it. A caring person stopped to help. It would have taken it three weeks to die, but Diane Perry of Feline/Avian & Exotics, Dunedin, was kind enough to end the suffering.
The driver purposely ended the life of the male gopher tortoise. How do I know? I witnessed and stopped. The scene was horrible.
I would like to thank those individuals whose profession is in the health care industry, those individuals whose profession is dedicated to animals, individuals who are volunteers, and those individuals who stop and help others in need. If we as a society do not show compassion to other forms of life, how can we show compassion to human life?
-- Nancy Linn, New Port Richey
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