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Re: For safety's sake, make sure seniors are fit to drive, Aug. 1 letter
Editor: A reader who wrote in saying she prefers teenage drivers to senior citizens must be a teenager herself to come to this conclusion. She mentioned law enforcement has failed to enforce laws such as tickets for speeding, illegal turns, running red lights, improper lane changing and failure to use turn signals. Isn't it odd? She just described teenage drivers. But to be fair, this describes older drivers as well. I'd like to add that teenagers often drive with extremely loud noise they call music. They would be unable to hear an emergency siren or anything else.
Read the Times and, most every day, you'll read where teenagers on a high-speed chase with police lose control of their car, killing themselves and others. One teenager who lost control on a curve is now in critical condition. They're no better than any other drivers.
I think it is unfair for all seniors to get the blame for poor driving habits and accidents by other drivers. There are many seniors in good health and who drive defensively. The letter writer preferred teenagers because they have to take a written and road test, but in many cases, once people have their licenses,, they drive as they chose, so taking a driving test is not the answer. Everyone obeys the law when there is a driving inspector is in their vehicle. Too often the laws apply only for someone else they get their licenses. We should all keep in mind driving a car is a privilege. Regardless of age, have an eye exam once a year. Do not take drugs or medications that cause drowsiness or other dangers while driving. Stay alert, be courteous to other drivers, obey the traffic laws. Do you think anyone will heed this advice? You've got to be kidding!
Re: Deerwood fraud takes teachers' checks, Aug. 6
Editor: The headlines on your recent article about Deerwood Academy was nothing but a cheap shot! They insinuated that the current staff at Deerwood Academy might be at fault for any theft. It doesn't matter what you actually wrote in the article, most readers only read the headlines!
Our board of trustees had praised former reporter Kent Fischer's efforts at exposing the school's fraud, yet you seem to relish trying to find continuing problems with an honest, hard-working administration left to pick up the pieces.
We are trying to salvage an already damaged reputation and hold on to what little dignity we have left. No one now working at Deerwood Academy had anything to do with the unethical behavior or fraud that was uncovered. Our students' education at Deerwood Academy somehow never got compromised, through all the scandal that Hank Johnson, Jeffrey Alcantara, and Aristides Poppeti left us. This was due to the help of Dr. John Long at Pasco County School District; Ken Brown, our new principal; Jonathan Bentley, president of the Board of Trustees; and many honest and caring parents and teachers. These respectable saviors deserve credit for their hard work, which included putting together an ethical board of trustees, demanding background checks for all employees, hiring certified teachers and vendors and struggling to balance unknown budget expenses. You owe us an encouraging article for a change!
Editor: I live in Pasco, but the price of gasoline has been the same for some time now. In the past, it was always cheaper in Pasco, but now it is the same or cheaper in Pinellas.
Am I wrong? Are consumers being ripped off?
Editor: It should be a crime to have a 15-foot, 200-pound python that could, and would, eat a small child or a family pet.
The owner stated Hugo was irate and hissing. Apparently, the owner can't keep this monstrous snake under control. It should be released in the Everglades. If it escapes again, who knows what could happen?
The neighbors should take up a petition to get Hugo out of their neighborhood and into the wild, where it belongs. I urge all neighbors to take action as they would against vicious dogs.
Editor: The resources at the New Port Richey Library go beyond the books and are an important part of New Port Richey and the redevelopment. People of all ages can be seen at this library. There are so many different groups that have the opportunity to utilize the facility for various purposes: business groups, nonprofit organizations, teens, younger children, senior citizens. The list goes on and on.
Iwould like to thank the New Port Richey Library for being such a wonderful place and for being such gracious hosts to the residents of this great community.
Editor: The Public Policy Committee of the American Association of University Women supports superintendent John Long as qualified and knowledgeable to recommend a successor to be superintendent of schools.
We have watched Pasco school flourish under John Long's leadership.