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Moratorium now a good way to get a handle on growth

Editor: At a recent County Commission meeting Commissioner Chris Kingsley was assailed for supporting a limited moratorium on residential development in Hernando County. Only one other commissioner sided with him.

What are the other commissioners thinking? It is time they put politics aside and do what is best for the county. All one has to do is drive down Elgin Boulevard or U.S. 41 to see the huge developments. The county already is in trouble with adequate roads, schools and low water pressure.

I just don't see the advantage of letting development explode out of control. True, it gives people work, but at what price to the county and its inhabitants? Many of us moved to Spring Hill to get away from the congestion found in cities to our south. Of course, there is the distinct possibility there is already too much building going on, and the developers will be hard put to sell what they have.

In any case, the commissioners should take a hard look at what they have allowed and will allow in the future. It is hard to believe they live in Hernando County and are willing to see the quality of life here erode.

The only thing residents can do is remember this outrageous phase of development when it comes time to vote in the next election.

Make developers build new schools

Editor: I have been a resident of Hernando County for more than 10 years and have watched this county grow and grow. I want to commend Commissioners Chris Kingsley and Diane Rowden for having foresight to see what is happening here. This should have been done long ago.

With the schools as overcrowded as they are, not having the space or the teachers to decrease the class sizes, as was mandated with no regard for the counties and their problems, we are now allowing everyone and anyone who wants to infiltrate this county with hundreds and hundreds of more homes.

If we are not going to put a stop to it, then all the builders should be mandated not only to donate the land for schools, but also to build, furnish and pay for the staff. If this is not done, residents will have to find another place to live, because taxes will be outrageous.

The housing market is booming now and prices are going through the roof. The only ones making money, with no regard for the community, the infrastructure, the water problems, the overcrowded schools and the amount of traffic here year-round, are the builders.

Either put a stop to these megahousing developments, before it is too late, or make them be accountable to the entire community by doing their share.

Time to take a breath, look at long-term

Editor: Commissioner Chris Kingsley's proposal was very well timed for me. I was preparing to write to Commissioner Diane Rowden and other commissioners regarding traffic and school overcrowding.

Due to extreme overcrowding, the School Board has rezoned us (Silverthorn) and the area to the north up to State Road 50 into Hernando High School attendance area. It is twice as far and not a feeder school for us. More than 500 students were rezoned to different schools.

The traffic in and around Spring Hill is beginning to back up and we do not have the new developments even built yet. This would appear to be the beginning of a nightmare for all county residents.

Just because developers want to come in here to build us out, does not mean they care how they do the process. It's all about making money at the county's expense and moving on to the next development. Let's catch up with what we have now - expanding roads, new schools, parks and recreation, including a county-run public swimming pool.

The traffic on Barclay Avenue has become a concern, as we are now backed up at Powell Road and SR 50, even without the new projects on Elgin and Powell. Also, there are four schools within 2-plus miles. In addition, we have noted extensive traffic congestion on U.S. 19 and SR 50 around the commercial areas.

Silverthorn, after the rezoning move, might not allow Central High School use of its pool. This could make for a swimming crisis.

Best of luck to Kingsley and the commission. I approve the proposed moratorium. It is an opportunity to stop, take a breath and look at the comprehensive plan and what is happening to our county.

I must take exception to Commissioner Robert Schenck's comment that the county has "not opened the valves for development" and "growth is well under control." I am a little concerned that Commissioner Schenck has not been in tune with events here in the past two years.

I also hope Kingsley is making headway on the county's first community pool.

If there's a problem, sheriff will fix it

Re: Sheriff should tighten policy for family use of take-home cars, March 1 letter to the editor:

Editor: I'm sure if Sheriff Richard Nugent was aware of this, it would be addressed and stopped at once.

His officers, as far as I have seen, are of the utmost quality, as courteous and conscientious as any in this state.

I'm glad to say we have a leader who is honest and above-board. I'm proud to call Richard Nugent sheriff and more proud to call him my friend.

[Last modified March 10, 2005, 01:14:16]