Re: Residents need both sides of penny tax debate, Jan. 1 letter
Editor: The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce would like to correct the writer's mistaken impression of how the Wesley Chapel Chamber's endorsement of Penny for Pasco was obtained.
After the penny had been discussed at length and unanimously passed by the Community/Government Affairs Committee of the chamber several months earlier, it was decided by the board of directors that they would like to educate themselves and the chamber membership further on the issue before putting it before the board for a vote and public statement.
Allen Altman and Chuck Rushe were invited to speak on the Penny for Pasco at the November membership meeting as part of an open discussion on the subject. The chamber office notified both the public and the membership of the meeting and the guest speakers.
Several members of the board and the community were present at the membership meeting, and the floor was open to questions on any part of the project. Both sides of the issue were addressed by both proponents and opponents to the referendum.
The following week, the issue was presented at the board of directors meeting for a vote, it was discussed in detail and it was passed. This is our chamber procedure and it was followed.
Our committees are made up of chamber members, as is our board of directors. Information on the penny was requested and provided as a service to our members and a position was taken by the board of directors to support something that will profoundly affect our businesses and our quality of life in Wesley Chapel.
Editor: As a taxpayer in Pasco County I wish to ask Superintendent John Long of the Pasco County School District when the deeds to our schools were handed over to him. Last time I checked the schools still belonged to the taxpayers of this great county.
The freedom of speech was granted to us by God and our forefathers in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Long's kind of oppression is exactly what the first settlers left behind in England. Why shouldn't the opposing view on the so-called Penny for Pasco tax hike be presented in our public schools?
-- Andrew Antolik, Wesley Chapel
School buses must have seat belts
Editor: I am a mother of six with three still in school. Several months ago you had a story about Pasco school buses and the fact that older buses in Pasco are without seat belts. I was outraged and wondered what can be done to equip these buses with the needed safety devices to save children from getting hurt or even killed. Last week, my two youngest elementary school children were on a bus that was in an accident.
My 7-year-old son said every child in the aisle seat was thrown out of their seat. This is unacceptable. I voted for the lottery under the assumption that our schools would be the main benefactor of this revenue. Yet all these years later we still can't even afford to protect or children with seat belts. Saving just one child from death would be worth all the expense.
What needs to be done to accomplish this feat? I am willing to spend time and energy on this mission. I just need to be pointed to the right resources. Where are our priorities in this county?
-- Gay Williams, New Port Richey
Police deserve the best in benefits
Re: Unionizing police will result in problems, Jan. 1 letter
Editor: I had a brother who put his 20 years in law enforcement and retired at the age of 44. He retired via the union contract and received over $1,600 per month plus paid medical for he and his wife. Any increases the union negotiated for the working police also went to the retired police. After his death, his wife continues to collect both benefits until death unless she remarries.
What benefits will the deputies receive under the current plan and at what age of retirement? I worked 31 years for the same company and retired at the age of 55 and received less than 50 percent of what my brother was receiving.
I can understand why they should receive more, it's simple, their job is life threatening. While I sat in a nice cozy office, I always thought he was the dumb one.
-- Walden St. Germain, Hudson
Share your views
The Pasco Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.
Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length (250-300 words maximum as a rule). Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.
All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed.
Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668, or by fax to 727-869-6233 or go to www.sptimes.com/letters/
Fill out the form to supply us with your personal information, the subject line, and type your letter in the space provided. You can also cut and paste a letter that you have prepared elsewhere in your computer. When you are done, hit the button that says "Submit My Letter."
