Editor: On behalf of the Democratic Party in Pasco County, I would like to commend the four members of the Zephyrhills City Council for their correct vote Monday.
A motion was made and seconded to retain the name Sixth Avenue, after which several citizens spoke, both for and against the motion.
Councilwoman Liz Geiger displayed her leadership and mediation skills when she presented an amendment to leave the MLK, Jr. name on the street as a commemorative gesture. This amended motion passed by a vote of 4 to 1, with only Council member Gina King voting against it.
I would also like to commend the peaceful protesters who never wavered but stayed to the successful end. Their dedication and loyalty to the ideals and beliefs of one of our greatest American leaders must not be ignored.
There are still issues that must be addressed. However, I am hopeful that all citizens of Zephyrhills will now go forward with the goal of insuring that diversity within the community is recognized and appreciated.
-- LaVaunne Miller, Zephyrhills
Sign decision is a hollow gesture to city's blacks
Editor: According to the 2000 Census there are 340 black residents in Zephyrhills. Why would 338 (excluding my family) be joyous over a languid street lined with unkept homes, orange trees and live oaks, that runs clear through town, ambling over the railroad tracks and ending at a pasture full of cows?
Why would anyone with a conscience be happy with a compromise of this proportion? The honorary signs are just a hollow gesture. Those beaming with pride should have their heads examined! What was all of the protest for?
Gina King stated in her initial run for council that she was willing to leave the signs up as honorary anyway. In essence, we took two steps forward and three steps back. We were out there on the streets talking loud and saying nothing.
The protesters and those working to make a difference in this city did exactly what many knew would be the outcome, they gave up a lifetime of happiness for a moment of glory.
Many in this community said that the MLK signs were a meaningless gesture. Another said that "Every time that he walked out of his front door, it made him want to throw up."
I'd be willing to bet that his stomach has settled now and there is no more nausea, now that Sixth Avenue has been officially restored.
Perhaps now, I can live in peace, without the constant and daily threats and racial harassment.
Perhaps I can live quietly on my corner without fleets of 18-wheelers driving through my property, destroying my landscaping, at all times of the day and night, with deaf ears and blinded eyes looking the other way because I'm black.
I will always strive for the very best. I refuse to accept anything less than that which is fair and equitable. A compromise today, compromises the future. What will you compromise tomorrow?
-- Lynda Perry Johnson, Zephyrhills
Gun shows do not add to Pasco's attractiveness
Re: May 7 guest column
-- Editor: Commissioner Peter Altman wrote "Stay close to home and discover what makes Pasco County so attractive to visitors."
Pasco is indeed a very attractive county with some very unique attractions. Unfortunately Pasco also has an attraction that may be attractive to criminals and even terrorists. Why would Pasco be so attractive to such dangerous individuals? We have a recurring gun show in Dade City where as many as half of the sellers do not require a background check.
Since commissioners in both Pinellas and Hillsborough, with support of their sheriffs, have passed ordinances to stop this threat to public safety and homeland security, they can't buy there.
However, they can slip over to Pasco County and the Dade City gun show and buy all the handguns and assault rifles they want, no questions asked, recently demonstrated so dramatically in a video produced by Robin Guess of Channel 28.
On this taped documentary Commissioner Altman complained that no one had contacted him with a request to end these undocumented gun sales. Since when does a public servant need prodding from his constituents to stop an obvious threat to public safety, especially when 69,171 of his constituent have already voted they wanted him to act to stop this public safety threat?
-- Arthur C. Hayhoe, Wesley Chapel
[Last modified May 12, 2004, 01:56:30]
