News

County's water restrictions are useless

Letters to the Editor
Published July 4, 2004

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Editor: I wonder why Pasco County bothers telling anyone to conserve water.

Approximately two months ago I began calling the water management district on a neighbor of mine who waters each day. This neighbor has watered so much and our houses are so close that when he waters, the side of my house gets wet. Because of how much he waters the side of my house has mold growing on it.

I spoke with Jay Rowden from the water management district about this situation at least five times. Obviously nothing was done because after I spoke with Jay my neighbor kept watering. Two of his sprinkler heads have broken and one broke when I wasn't home and my back room had 2 inches of water in it. I spoke with Jay about this, and he told me to call Code Compliance of Pasco County. I did this and Code Compliance told me that there is a water restriction, but they are not enforcing it at this time.

Why bother with a water restriction, waste taxpayers' hard-earned money on code compliance or ads in the newspaper explaining the water restrictions? Perhaps I'm not thinking right or prehaps the Code Compliance is a waste of time. I guess since they are not enforcing the restrictions we all have the right to water whenever we please as my neighbor does!

-- Lorraine Shields, Holiday

"10-20-life' should apply to deputy

Re: Prosecutors neglect road rage victim, July 1 editorial

Editor: I am outraged at this disregard for justice. I myself have had a few brushes with the law, so I know the law and how the system works. This is unlike anything I've seen before.

I have had my problems with the law, and I have done my time - more time than this man is facing, and for much less serious crimes. This man was a sheriff's deputy, and I'm quite sure that sometime throughout his training he came across the "10-20-life" law. This law states that if you use a firearm in the commission of a felony you automatically receive 10 years in prison; fire the weapon, it's 20, hit someone and it's life.

The victim in this case is and obviously has had a hard time with this. The State Attorney's office apparently has no concern about that. Instead they are anxious to put this unstable and dangerous man back on the streets.

I don't know about the rest of you, but that won't help me sleep better tonight.

-- S. Ford, New Port Richey

Too many fireworks tents are too close for comfort

Editor: I've been reading the letters to editors for a couple of years. Lately, it's been captivating with all the concern about dogs, cats, and ducks.

Here it is 11:30 at night and the fireworks tent store is giving us a nightly sample of its wares. I am truly amazed how these tents pop up next to gas stations, behind houses and down the street from a day care center.

There are about five tents within a 2-mile radius. Does anyone check on them? Has anyone taken into account the tragedy that could occur with one of them?

-- Judith Lozaw, Holiday

Contact legislators about sinkhole problem

Editor: As chairman of the Republican Party, I have spoken to incoming Florida Speaker of the House of Representatives Alan Bense and incoming Senate President Tom Lee. The matter I brought to their attention is the sinkhole problem in Pasco County.

Recent court cases have upheld insurance companies who denied claims to fill the sinkhole with concrete. As an example, if a home has $60,000 in damage, $55,000 to fill the sinkhole and $5,000 in structural repair costs, all the insurance companies want to do is fix the structure for $5,000. This leaves the homeowner to pay the additional $55,000. This can wipe out the savings of a homeowner.

Our representatives will introduce legislation to make the insurance companies responsible. This has to come from Florida's Pasco delegation. Please contact Reps. Tom Anderson, Gus Bilirakis, Heather Fiorentino, Ken Littlefield and Dave Russell and state Sens. Victor Crist, Mike Fasano and Tom Lee. All of their phone numbers are listed in the phone book, or contact Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning.

Sen. Fasano is already working on legislation. This problem concerns all Pasco homeowners.

-- Bill Bunting, Hudson

Not fair to make residents pay for unnecessary paving

Editor: I am a resident of Embassy Hills and recently the county paved my road along with a lot of others. My road did not need paving, but I am forced to pay for it.

A few roads in this area do require paving but I feel it is wrong for Pasco County to pave roads not needing it. I, like a lot of other residents cannot afford this but are forced to pay or face a lien. It is very, very unfair.

-- Joseph F. Everhart, Port Richey

[Last modified July 4, 2004, 01:00:39]

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