Re: Widow's grief used against Spring Hill fire commissioners, May 12 letter to the editor:
Editor: I work for the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District and would like to respond to Commissioner Richard Martin's ridiculous accusations toward my fellow firefighters and his absurd threats to close down the fire district.
I would like to make it perfectly clear I've had little respect for this commissioner since I was hired in November 2002. I'm 35 years old, married with four daughters and have been in the fire service for 12 years. I spent nine years in the Florida Army National Guard's "enhanced" Infantry Brigade (HHC-53rd INF BDE) and hold two degrees from Pasco-Hernando Community College related to my work (EMS and nursing). I enjoy my work and specifically have enjoyed the time spent learning and taking care of the people in the Fire Rescue District.
What I have not enjoyed has been the level of politicians that have invaded the fire service and who seem to know what's best for the residents I work for. Commissioner Martin's accusations about some rogue group of dissidents using a deceased firefighter's spouse as a mouthpiece is laughable. The not-so-funny part is that I have met Sharon Wilson, and you could not ask for a more genuine and thankful person. To be ridiculed in the manner she was (in the newspaper by a sitting fire commissioner) is simply wrong.
Although I have a conflict of interest, I certainly hope somebody in the district has the sense to ask for this man's resignation. Further, I would support the request for Commissioner Martin's resignation with his desire to possibly merge with Hernando County Fire Rescue.
There recently were guest columns by former fire commissioners Bob Kanner and Dennis Andrews supporting such a change. It is hard to believe these so-called leaders would support such a move when the outcome would be detrimental to the residents of the district they were elected to serve.
That is not a shot at Hernando County Fire Rescue, because there are plenty of good people over there. We all do the best we can with the ability that we have. But the level of service clearly is not the same. To have grown men publicly support the idea is misleading to the public and leaves me scratching my head.
To clear up this misguided public perception, I've decided to do a comprehensive study detailing the level of service and cost of having this service. I will then do the same study in Pasco and Pinellas counties. There will clearly be many different levels of service and cost, but having worked in all three counties, I feel comfortable in saying Spring Hill Fire.
Rescue District will rate toward the top.
Jeff Palmer, New Port Richey
Timber Pines offers so much to outside
Re: Timber Pines set on sinking even lower, May 11 letter to the editor:
I am a Timber Pines resident and proud of it. There is no shame for insisting that people obey the rules and deed restrictions here. That's what makes our community so wonderful.
I hope when Mr. Tournat grows up, he can live in a decent, wonderful community like ours. We are decent, law-abiding residents of Spring Hill. Our tax dollars do not benefit our community. We are independently run and have our own guidelines for living here. We maintain our own roads, pay for our own street lighting, don't have children in the schools and have our own protective services. Sheriff's deputies do not patrol our community of more than 6,000 people, therefore a savings in tax dollars for Hernando County.
So, you see, we do not pose any civic responsibility to the outsiders. We should be appreciated for all the good deeds the residents provide in the way of support to Habitat for Humanity, the Blood Bank (we are the largest contributors in Hernando County), Lighthouse for the Blind, the Dawn Center, Holy Ground homeless shelter and our yearly scholarships to local high schools, supporting the new Hernando Botanical Garden, just to name a few. We are not a bunch of heartless people.
The shame is that this whole ordeal (regarding the Piersons) is none of your business. Our deed restrictions were in place before the Piersons moved here. So, if you don't like living with some rules and regulations, move or don't come live in this subdivision.
We are the reason so many outside residents have jobs. Since our inception in this community, we have created jobs through restaurants, retailers, hospitals, medical offices and domestic services, to name a few. Look at U.S. 19 and appreciate all the development and retail stores that have grown in leaps and bounds in the past 10 years.
There is no shame in expecting people to obey the law. The shame is when you think we should make exceptions and bend them for you.
There are alternatives for the Piersons, and they should look into solving their problem in a more realistic manner.
I greatly admire Mrs. Pierson for loving and caring for Joey, her grandchild, but she needs to consider the other residents and realize if we break rules for the Piersons, then we will set a precedent and will have to kowtow to other future demands made upon us. Thus, continuous chaos.
-- Terry Loschke, Spring Hill
Before judging, learn about community
Re: The latest outbreak of letters on the recent decision by the board of directors at Timber Pines:
Let me say that I applaud the remarks made by Vilmar Tavares in his May 12 letter to the editor.
Yes, people living in Timber Pines choose to live there because of its rules and regulations. They've raised their children, worked hard for their retirement and want the amenities that Timber Pines affords them.
Yes, they were aware of all the rules before they moved in. And, because of these rules, one of their own will be forced to leave (their young grandson). I know some rules are made to be bent a bit, but you have to take into consideration the other 6,000-plus residents.
While my heart goes out to the Piersons, in the long run, their young grandson would be much better off in an area where living is not as restricted, where he can grow up and have playmates, be able to have a school bus pick him up, play on his swing set, have friends over for parties and have neighbors welcome him. We wish them well.
I hope people outside of the "wall" would look upon Timber Pines residents as kind, giving and community-minded. Timber Pines people spend a great deal of time volunteering their services in Spring Hill. When there is a call for blood donors, Timber Pines is first in line. Grants have been given to local colleges, hospices, hospitals and nonprofit organizations because of Timber Pines' generosity. Those who are unfortunate living in Spring Hill with families are given a chance because of Timber Pines' generosity. Roadside areas are cleaner because of Timber Pines residents. Timber Pines has helped increase property taxes and values and increased job opportunities by patronizing restaurants, theatres, stores, etc.
While I can list many more attributes, the bottom line is, find out what Timber Pines is about before you throw the first stone. Yes, it is a community within a community, but its first concern is the people in Hernando County.
-- Margaret Passero, Spring Hill
Those quoting rules miss one question
Editor: To all the residents of Timber Pines who quote rules and regulations as to why a child in need cannot live among you:
I have but one question to ask of the Timber Pines residents: Who among you will stoop so low to help a child?
-- Ralph Vignola, Spring Hill
Residents should raise walls, stay inside
Re: Neighborhood is not equipped to raise children, May 13 letter to the editor from Mary E. Westlund:
Editor: What right does she, or any of these other letter writers, have to tell the Piersons to move on with their lives and sell their house? Just what kind of community is Timber Pines?
According to letter writer Jim Conides (Residents of Timber Pines are generous people, May 13 letter), Timber Pines is a community that donates to various charities and churches. Well, you can give all the donations you want; that does not make you higher-class than anyone else, nor does it make you the type of people you are trying to portray yourselves to be. You are not supposed to boast about your volunteering and/or charity giving. You are supposed to do these things modestly and from the heart.
I am very disappointed that Timber Pines would even consider making this woman sell her house and move.
My advice to the Piersons: Stay where you are, and make them force you to move. I am certain if Timber Pines does that, it will receive even more negative publicity, which it so deserves.
I agree with the reader who suggested they raise the walls around that community. I also suggest they build their own shopping plazas and whatever else they need to stay within these walls.
Then we wouldn't have to deal with their constant complaining and their "everyone owes us something" attitude.
I'm 30 years old. I will never retire to such a community. Thank you all for setting the example of how I will not be when I become a senior citizen.
-- Jon Puzio, Spring Hill
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