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Re: Recommendation to fire bus driver.
The United School Employees of Pasco is involved with this case to make sure that due process is given to bus driver Christal Ferrie and that the real facts of the case are presented so that misinformation does not decide what happens to her. As someone who has been privy to the majority of the facts involved with this case, I feel it is very important to bring to light a fact that was either not known, or left out of previously printed letters to the editor.
While the accident that seems to be at the heart of this debate did initially result in Ms. Ferrie receiving a citation, that citation was later dismissed by a court of law. Ms. Ferrie and her attorney were present in court with statements from several eyewitnesses who observed an elderly woman turn into the rear of Ms. Ferrie's bus. The assertion that Ms. Ferrie struck the car is untrue, and the assertion that there were no eyewitnesses is also untrue. The fact that Ms. Ferrie was initially cited in the accident is a result of the vehicles being moved off the road, at the direction of school district transportation supervisors, before law enforcement arrived 45 minutes later, and the eyewitnesses not being interviewed by the responding officer.
With a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) record showing zero points against her license, it makes no sense to call for Ms. Ferrie's job. With one of Ms. Ferrie's own children riding her bus, I am confident that safety is at the forefront of Ms. Ferrie's mind every time she gets behind the wheel. The bottom line is that no one has proven that she is unsafe. Last time I checked people are innocent until they are proven guilty.
I am a current member of the United School Employees of Pasco and a school bus driver. I do not have all the facts in this case, nor do any of the other letter writers. But I do know that our union typically does not contest employee issues when they are for serious job deficiencies or other problems.
These situations are generally worked out through discussions with the school district and the best solution for all is reached. For USEP to take this strong position must mean it believes there are problems or inconsistencies in the school district's facts and actions. They are, therefore, defending this employee and our overall contractual rights. Isn't this what a good union is supposed to do?
I was one of the protesters who stood on U.S. 41 last week to support Christal. I am not a bus driver. I have known Christal for three years. For those who feel she should be fired, let's hear all the facts before deciding.
She did not have three citations in three weeks. She had one accident, and her ticket was dismissed. She did have her own daughter on her bus the day of the accident, and yes, she would feel very comfortable having her ride a bus with any of the drivers at west garage.
I have eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and I would let any of them ride on her bus any time.
I think everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Maybe some of you should ride along with one of the drivers for one week to see what a huge responsibility it is to have to handle 65 children and drive the bus on U.S. 19, or any other road for that matter. My daughter is a driver at the west garage, and she tells me all the time about how people run stop signs, cut her off and call in false reports without leaving a name. I think more drivers should be a little more cautious when school buses are on the road.
I am a resident of Country Club Estates just north of the Beacon Woods entrance on U.S. 19. I don't recall anyone from the county or Wal-Mart asking any of us how we feel about putting in a Wal-Mart. At least Beacon Woods has a light for residents to access U.S. 19. We have none, and to get across 19 to go south is dangerous to say the least. Beacon Woods has more than one entry and more that one exit: U.S. 19, State Road 52 and Fivay Road. All have traffic lights.
We are just as concerned about our property values, noise and traffic as those people in Beacon Woods. How many more years should we have to look at the old Outlet Mall? It has become an eyesore. Adults and children use it as a place to ride motorcycles and dirt bikes, and it is vandalized frequently. How many times has it been bought and sold with it still standing empty?
I look at Wal-Mart as progress for the Hudson area. Let's face it: How many people can say they have never been in a Wal-Mart, or that they don't shop there? I have never been in a Wal-Mart that wasn't busy!
After reading the incident about the poor doggy losing control, I considered taking my own dog for a walk on New Port Richey Council member Tom Finn's street.
But my dog has too much respect for other people's property and what they step in. Too bad many people don't.