Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Pasco has a lot going for it for new home buyers

Re: More home seekers look to Hernando, March 13.

I'm not sure what the writers were trying to convey. Just because staff writer Jim Thorner had a bad experience buying a new home, he has now knocked Pasco as a viable place to live for everyone. He talks about going to Hernando and the cost of tolls and the longer drive to Tampa, bad traffic and high prices. Did he even look closer to town? Straight west on State Road 54?

He has condemned all of Pasco to new home buyers. There are many new developments closer to the hub of New Port Richey that are affordable. Why does a new house have to be new? What is wrong with the older homes? Also, there are new homes going up in Pasco along SR 54 closer to U.S. 19 that are priced within reason. He has taken it upon himself to kill the market for our older neighborhoods.

Take it to the Planning Commission if you have a personal grudge against Pasco, but don't ruin the chances for those of us who live in nice, strong, comfortable homes who want to sell.

New Port Richey is a jumping-off point for beachgoers, shoppers and north Pinellas. It is 20 minutes from the Suncoast Parkway and has lots of comfortable older homes for $115 a square foot and new developments that are also reasonably priced.

What's out at the Suncoast corridor, by the way? Beaches? Theaters? Malls? If you plan to shop in New Tampa vs. New Port Richey, you are planning to spend more money anyway because of demographics, so why gripe?

Trash the developers, not the county et al. Or do as we tell the tourists who always say how nice it is back home: "Go home then, and don't come back."

Services inadequate despite lower taxes

Pasco has cheaper taxes, less services. For years, Realtors have used Pasco County's cheaper taxes as a selling point. After the hurricanes came and went, the rest of Pasco County residents are feeling the diminished services offered by the county, which are a direct result of those cheaper taxes.

Many of us have called asking for help to improve our drainage systems in our areas and our voices go unheard. Residents in Pasco were not pleased with the county's fix for our flooding.

Developers have a nickname for Pasco County: Pass Go. I am looking at my taxes compared to others in the Tampa Bay area, and they are maybe a few dollars cheaper. Mom always said you get what you pay for and in Pasco I think the value of services we receive for the money spent is less than adequate.

$2 fee for interlibrary loans is fair

Re: Library shouldn't charge a postage fee for book, March 11 letter.

Does this letter writer know the efforts, time and cost to get a book through interlibrary loan? Much time and efforts are needed if the book is not available within the Pasco County Library System. It must be located, then someone must make sure the book is availble and that the other library will honor the request. If not, another library must be located. There is then the cost of sending and mailing back the book.

I was amazed that previously there was no charge. Now the $2 fee certainly represents just a part of expenses. Books requested by interlibrary loan should be truly needed. To walk out, as they letter writer did, refusing to pay the $2, is an abuse of library services and most discourteous.

Don't burden residents with road repairs

Re: Upscale areas should not get special aid, March 11 letter.

Thousand Oaks developers (Sunfield Homes) and Pasco County have been in a fight about the condition of our roads.

I have lived in Thousand Oaks for three years and paid good money for it and barely two months into ownership a series of heavy rains caused flooding in our community. The roads began to crumble and potholes formed on roads less than a year old.

It was soon found out through countless hours of hard work and letters to both the developers and Pasco County that our roads were not built to the specifications for our flood plan.

Sunfield Homes cut corners and penny-pinched to save a buck, knowing very well what was at stake. To add insult to injury Pasco county engineers signed off on the roads believing that they were up to specifications, leaving our new community with roads that looked 30 years old.

So for the past 21/2 years the children and cars in our neighborhood have had to dodge potholes and cracked streets to prevent damage or getting hurt. I believe that homeowners of our community should not be burdened with the responsibility of paying for these repairs caused by overzealous builders, developers and the county. I also believe our escalated property taxes more than substantiate these repairs for a problem that should never have occurred within a year of this community being built.

Tell kids what "Safe Place' signs mean

Ever notice a yellow and black "Safe Place" sign in a store window or public building? It means that children seeking help can get it there.

Employees at these sites are trained to quickly connect the youth with the nearest Florida Network youth crisis center. No matter what the child's circumstance, help arrives in minutes. From there, safe shelter, counseling or other needed services are provided.

Last year, Youth and Family Alternatives and other Florida Network agencies told 734,000 schoolchildren what the Safe Place signs mean. But that's only 20 percent of Florida's children under age 18.

Do the children in your household and neighborhood know what the yellow and black signs mean? This week would be a good time to tell them. March 13-19 is National Safe Place Week.

Dog races no longer worth trouble

I read James Thorner's story about the Little Everglades Steeplechase. I have a different perspective. My friend and I have attended the past four years and will not return.

In the past, with a handicap permit, we have been able to park near all the activities. This year we were out at Gate 5 and had to walk quite a way to catch a ride, at least a mile, to the central activities.

We were sitting at the top of the stand watching the dog races, and some very inconsiderate people came and stood right in front of us. Needless to say no dog race was seen.

Neither the Star-Spangled Banner nor the colors were presented by the time we got disgusted and left at 1 p.m. It's too bad those of us with less money than the $2,400 charged for the grandstand seats were not treated very well. We will not return.

Who is trying to ruin the Renke family?

I have known John Renke II for many years and know he is not stupid enough to do anything to harm his son. He is a very smart man who is a devoted and loving father and only wants the best for his son.

This is a case of sour grapes. Who is trying to ruin the Renke family? It is about time they got off their backs and let them live in peace. This is a father who was proud when his son won the election, so please let this family enjoy this time in their lives.

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 .

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."

[Last modified March 16, 2005, 16:53:27]