Fallen Heroes gets a no; Wal-Mart gets a nod

Editor: It was made clear at the Oct. 13 Crystal River City Council meeting that Mayor Ron Kitchen will not tamper with ordinances for individual groups. He very unyieldingly stated this in reversing the council's approval of the war memorial plan previously submitted by the Fallen Heroes of Citrus County.

The approved plan included seven flags (representing each branch of the U.S. military). But the council members had not done their homework prior to approving the plan. It seems the city ordinance allows only three flags on such an endeavor. Of course, the honorable thing to do would be to amend the existing ordinance since the approval had already been given, and since the Fallen Heroes organization had already collected $20,000 in contributions based on the seven-flag plan.

But, alas that was not to be. Instead, the council, intimidated by Kitchen's threat to veto a vote for amendment, voted against the amendment. Out of empathy for the Fallen Heroes, I was disappointed by the council's decision and will totally understand their choice of a different spot for the memorial outside the Crystal River city limits.

But, hark, what was that profound statement that came from Kitchen? He stated, "It is bad law to tamper with ordinances for individual groups." Now, my question for the mayor is: If you are adamantly opposed to tampering with city ordinances, then how can you ignore Citrus County's comprehensive plan and advocate rewriting Crystal River's comprehensive plan in order to cozy up to Realticorp and Wal-Mart? Do you perhaps have a double standard, Mayor Kitchen?

Keep big boxes off our watershed

Editor: Recognizing that the Crystal River is in a state of rapid deterioration, we must ask ourselves: How are we going to stop befouling this treasure as we grow?

For one thing, we cannot keep frittering away the quality of our wetlands and aquifer. The Crystal River watershed that was once located among a few fields and protected by pristine wetlands is rapidly becoming completely embedded in masonry, buildings, automobiles and parking lots.

Scientists with the Southwest Florida Water Management District have been assigned the task of finding human fingerprints on the river's demise while there is chaos in the nearby watershed. Wal-Mart is planning a supercenter on a site where the aquifer is only a few feet down, unprotected and extremely vulnerable. The developers would callously destroy wetlands that protect the Crystal River. Furthermore, when stormwater retention areas are constructed at this site, there is a high probability that the aquifer will be breached. No doubt about it. It happened right across the street at Home Depot. This is the worst possible thing that could be done to the Crystal River.

Have we learned from the Home Depot experience? Or are we doomed to repeat that terrible mistake over and over? It is a nightmare to think of us tattooing bigger and bigger box stores on the nearby watershed and shattering the aquifer with bigger and bigger sinkholes.

Why not put the Wal-Mart at a location where there are no wetlands to destroy and stormwater runoff can be properly treated?

This is a critical issue. The Homosassa River Alliance has argued it many times at the county planning and commission meetings. Thankfully, protecting our coastal rivers has moved up on the county's priority list. The Citrus County planners have recommended against this Wal-Mart plan, specifically to protect the Crystal River and the aquifer.

But wait!

The developers are trying an end run. Rather than move to a less environmentally sensitive site, they are asking Crystal River to annex their site, to reduce the environmental constraints and to allow them to destroy these wetlands. Amazing! They are trying to reorganize Citrus County to destroy the Crystal River.

The county has stood up for what we value. And now it is up to the City of Crystal River to do likewise. Will they make this deal with the devil? The annexation is proposed for only one reason, and that is to bypass the county planners and commissioners!

As reported on June 5 in the St. Petersburg Times, when asked by the reporter what they would do if they could not reduce the wetland impact, the developer's response was, "We may just say the hell with it."

Is that the answer to the question, "How are we going to stop befouling the Crystal River as we grow?" Just say the hell with it?

There are thousands and thousands of Wal-Marts, but there is only one Crystal River, truly a miracle of nature. Now the City of Crystal River is being asked to bless a shortsighted act that will benefit a few, cause our waters to deteriorate and cost us dearly in the future.

To accept this irresponsible annexation plan is truly is a deal with the devil.

Robes of many colors not always fitting

Re: Can't robe a judge in just one color, Tuesday, Citrus Times.

While one's desire to appear to have "personality" because "it gives them a little hope," as stated by Circuit Judge Ric Howard, is a fine sentiment if genuinely applied in the right circumstances. I certainly hope judges aren't going to start mimicking the trend of fashionable and colorful televangelists who routinely parade their foolishness and colorful personalities on television.

If that's the case, I'm with newcomer Circuit Judge William "Bud" Hallman III, whose somber attitude is precisely what is called for in a judge who stands in the place of the Almighty in judging matters of justice and mercy. The need to parade one's personality via colorful robes can also be an indication of a profound pathological personality flaw that is contradictory to the somber and solemn duty of administering justice.

Former Circuit Judge L.R. Huffstetler Jr.'s embarrassing comments before the Judicial Nominating Committee when seeking a re-appointment recently come to mind in light of the recent article about happy robes. All judges should follow the ancient Judeo-Christian mandate to "do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8); and use the "happy robe" strictly for the use of genuinely happy occasions worthy of celebration while carrying out their duties as public servants.