Re: Campaign contribution tale is a study in contradictions, Nov. 30 C.T. Bowen column.
Editor: I find it ironic that Bowen and the Times continue to focus on the reporting oversight of the Republican Executive Committee when the Pasco Democratic Executive Committee appears to have made multiple reporting errors and appears to have violated campaign finance laws without a mere mention from the Times.
According to recently filed reports, the DEC office must be receiving free electricity and water because they have never paid for it. The same report shows that they did not pay office rent for April 2003. It is also difficult to determine the true origin of their donations since the overwhelming majority of their money is in the form of donations from their network of Democratic clubs in the county. Since the clubs in question have each donated over $500 in a calendar year, it appears that these clubs fit the definition of a political action committee under FSS 106.011, yet the appropriate filings required of PACs under Florida law were not found.
The DEC has also listed cash contributions that exceed $100. Cash contributions over $100 violate FSS 106.09, and the person who accepted these should be held accountable.
Bowen uses terms such as conspiracy and quotes statutes such as "falsify public records" to try to justify his own allegations, knowing that intent to falsify is required for a violation to exist, intent that neither Bowen nor the State Election Commission has ever proven. Following Bowen's own logic, the DEC would be guilty of multiple violations under Florida law.
Bowen also fails to mention that the Republican Executive Committee and I followed state guidelines for correcting errors by filing an amended report long before the State Elections Commission ever received a complaint.
It seems that the only conspiracy here is that of a liberal columnist failing to report the errors of the left, focusing only on the right.
-- Scott Factor, New Port Richey
Racist Chasco Fiesta should end
Editor: The Chasco Fiesta and its Krewe of Chasco are coming again soon, and once again concerned citizens and American Indians in the community will fight this 80-year annual insult of our first Americans. Is there any other place in the United States in the 21st century where a living ethnic group is subjected to white business and civic leaders turning them into a Halloween Day in March?
I hope that those New Port Richey citizens so upset with rising fees and cut services can accept nearly $13,000 being spent so privileged business and civic leaders can ride on a float, throwing beads out to crowds. When most of us were youngsters and went to carnival rides, we expected to pay, not to have some city pay the tab for our private enjoyment. And how much more of your taxpayer money is being spent for the Krewe of Chasco; to parks and recreation crews, to overtime for law enforcement, for garbage collection, not to mention thousands of dollars paid to those in charge and those whose names give a false stamp of approval to this event? If you look at the city books, you will find no mention of these charges, so we are taking Mayor Frank Parker to court, to force disclosure.
With a handful of citizens, an 80-year-old tradition of showing white children dressed as Indians murdering white children dressed as Spaniards ended two years ago. It didn't end because civic leaders like Heather Fiorentino, Peter Altman, Joe Alpine, Roger Michels and Wendy Brenner suddenly realized how offensive this pageant was. Would these actions honor blacks or Jews or Roman Catholics by dressing up like them? One must conclude they can "honor" Indians only because they really believe Indians are extinct, or that there are so few Indians in Pasco County that they can be ignored. Can they? At what point does a community have a conscience that will say no to insulting any minority just for the sake of a good time of the privileged?
-- Daniel Callaghan, New Port Richey
Housing deal cheats taxpayers
Re: East Brown Acres.
Editor: It's sure a wonderful way for a half-rented-out, 11-home landlord to get bailed out of a bad investment.
First, the Tampa Bay Community Development Corp. (a nonprofit organization) repairs his 11 homes free to him.
Boy! That never happened to any of my rentals because I spend money to repair them. I own one in West Brown Acres. Then the county votes to buy these fixed white elephants for obviously more than he could ever sell them for.
The TBCD Corp. manager who's spearheading this idea to me appears to be a little too anxious. The county will certainly lose money as these homes will be completely taken off the tax rolls during the long period of time it owns them.
Then, after they're sold, the new owners will get a $25,000 homestead exemption. A no-win deal for the county and every taxpayer.
In my opinion, the end result will be that the neighborhood will get crummier as these new owned homes will be owned by ex-tenants who won't be able to afford their upkeep nor maintain them in a neat appearance.
The county will probably lose a lot of the mortgage money it's spending. The only winner is the original landlord who is selling out at a great profit.
-- Murray Guttman, Port Richey
Beware of thieves on canal
Editor: This is a warning to our waterfront community neighbors. We had expensive equipment stolen from our boat around 2 a.m. the day before Thanksgiving. This equipment was out of sight, in our boat, high up on our lift.
A neighbor also reported seeing someone on his dock the same night. When he turned a security light on, three men made a fast getaway in a small jon boat equipped with a trolling motor and small gas engine.
'Tis the season to need extra money, and they're sneaking around the canals at high tide to cash in. Beware!
-- Terry and Lisa DePew, New Port Richey
Resident should follow rules
Editor: All these letters about Pointe West Condos and no one knows what is going on. I can tell you, first, I don't live there, but I pass that condo almost every day on my way to my parents' condo. I will tell you that they are not out there just talking. The pickup has its tailgate down. There are chairs at the end of the truck, and they are cooking and drinking beer. They even have a radio out there.
My parents and other relatives did not move in there to see them hanging out drinking. I think if you move into a deed restricted area, you must abide by their rules. I am sorry, but with them out there, it looks trashy. It should be stopped.
The man has a screen room, why can't they sit in there? He is also living where there is a nice back courtyard where they can cookout. If they want a tailgate party, let them go to a game and have it there. It is dangerous to have it at the end of the parking space. People have to drive down that road, and all they have to do is step out and get hit.
I don't know the man personally, and he may be a nice guy. But, he needs to be aware of his neighbors. They don't want this kind of thing out in the street. So if he doesn't like it then let him move.
-- Christine Crane, Hudson
[Last modified December 3, 2003, 01:34:24]
