Regarding the article about removing a certain book (Deenie, by Judy Blume) from the shelf at Spring Hill Elementary School because a parent doesn't think her child should read about masturbation:
It is her decision what her child should read, but she has no right to decide what someone else's child should read.
I'm not unfamiliar with this situation, having been an elementary school librarian in Norwalk, Conn., for many years. (The parents in my school simply pulled the books themselves or hid them behind some larger books.)
This mother is living in a bubble if she thinks her child doesn't know about this subject. She may know it by another name, but be sure it's known.
I hope common sense will prevail and this and any decent, well-written book will remain on the shelves where all children whose parents are not so closed-minded may read.
-- Helen C. Nouza, Spring Hill
GOP, Bilirakis doing veterans a disservice
Re: Agreement on benefits is welcome, Oct. 17
Editor: Your article on the proposed compromise that would slowly phase in the provision of full retired pay to about half of veterans who also receive disability compensation said that veterans would welcome it.
I guess we do, in the sense that half a loaf is better than none. A front-page article the other day called it a victory for U.S. Rep. Michael Bilirakis, who for years has sponsored legislation to provide full retired pay to all disabled veterans almost immediately. I disagree, and see it as an unprincipled cop-out.
The original legislation, despite always having a strong majority of the House as co-sponsors, has not gotten out of committee due to almost fanatical resistance from the Republican leadership. This year provided probably the best chance for getting this through, because of the petition to discharge it from committee and because the Senate has already passed it. What's hardest to understand is that Rep. Bilirakis didn't sign the discharge petition for his own bill. With only two exceptions, none of the other Republican co-sponsors have, either. I think he should have forced the issue - something he could have done - and dealt with the House leadership later.
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite explained her own non-signature as making sure she had a place at the table. If the discharge petition succeeded, there would have been no need for a place at the table; there would be full concurrent receipt now. It was the only fair thing to do.
Now there is to be a bipartisan committee to work on improvements to the disability system. This is the ultimate abrogation of personal legislative accountability.
I should note that I am a registered Republican and almost always support the party's position. This time, they're wrong. I am a 100 percent disabled veteran and forfeit over three-fourths of my retired pay, and I'm tired of it.
-- Ernest Lane, New Port Richey
"Invasion' on Hernando needed big price tag
Editor: Hernando lucky to avoid invasion, Oct. 13 column by Robert King.
I loved your article. But you really blew it.
You should have had the government come in so that you also could sucker $87-billion from them. Now, I know that the Hernando residents would enjoy all that bread.
See if you can get the war renewed again. Washington will not even know the difference.
Good luck.
-- Dennis Recenes, Port Richey
Input needed to shape transportation plans
Editor: Re: Public involvement in planning for Hernando County's transportation needs.
We all have a stake in the transportation future of Hernando County. Our county continues to experience a high level of population and employment growth as the entire Tampa Bay region is one of the national leaders in current and projected rates of growth. No one is unfamiliar with the traffic congestion that this growth has caused.
As the transportation planning agency for Hernando County, the Hernando County Metropolitan Planning Organization is responsible for the planning of major transportation improvements and setting priorities for project funding. Receiving effective public involvement during development of plans and programs is essential to ensure that they have the support of the community and are truly responsive to the needs of our citizens. Therefore, maintaining a public involvement program that is responsive to all segments of the community is a continuing goal of the MPO.
At this time, the MPO is conducting a comprehensive review of its "public involvement process." A copy of the MPO's report on strategies for obtaining effective public participation is available in the Hernando County Planning Department, in Room 262 of the Hernando County Government Center. This document describes specific means through which the MPO will provide access to the transportation planning process. Individuals and groups having an interest in the transportation future of our county are encouraged to work with the MPO and its staff by participating in opportunities to provide public comment.
Please take the time to read this report and provide us with your comments by Nov. 14. A summary of public comments will be presented at a public hearing to be held during the MPO board meeting at 9 a.m. Nov. 20 in the Hernando County Government Center in Brooksville.
Thank you for your participation in a process that will truly benefit all the citizens of Hernando County.
-- Mary E. "Betty" Whitehouse, chairwoman, Hernando County Metropolitan Planning Organization
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