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J.D. Floyd's decline hasn't been obvious to this parent

Re: Principal bears full responsibility for J.D. Floyd's decline, May 19 letter to the editor.

I moved to this county in June 2004. Both of my sons attend J.D. Floyd's environmental program. Coming from our Long Island, N.Y., school district, they had to work hard to adjust to the strict discipline and curriculum. Our old district taught creative writing; there was little emphasis on basic spelling, punctuation or grammar. Although my sons are bright, had they taken the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test in third grade, I do not think they would have passed. They learned the basics in the fifth and sixth grades.

They both worked hard and were frustrated at times, trying to catch up with Hernando County's curriculum. That, in itself, is a good thing. The teachers at Floyd should be commended for their ability to focus on the basics and still incorporate environmental issues. All the teachers did a wonderful job of sparking enthusiasm in learning. My kids came home almost daily sharing the things they had learned. Even when working hard, they did not realize they were learning the basics. They were more interested in the subject matter.

It is absolutely wonderful to have an informed conversation about environmental issues facing Florida, with the influx of new residents. Being natives of Long Island, we lived through this, as poor planning made way for multitudes of empty strip malls, overcrowded schools and nightmares on the roads. Most of our wildlife and aquifers were protected, in a last-minute effort to preserve wetlands and pine barrens. Unfortunately, the damage was done.

Through the many school projects the boys did this year, our entire family learned the issues are similar here. It was a learning experience for all of us. The various field trips were a great tool in inspiring the children to learn more. The enthusiasm about learning was indeed amazing.

The environmental center's campus is separate from the main campus of Floyd. The fifth- and sixth-graders have separate buses and eat at times different from that of the younger students. Visiting the school grounds during school hours, I found it very orderly.

As for recess, I agree with the the letter writer. Children need free time to socialize and blow off excess energy. They are not robots. I believe access to play would allow them to sit more quietly and concentrate in class.

As for students' participating in signing petitions, what better way to teach them about our democratic process? The school could use another entryway. Anyone who has experienced dropoff or pickup can see the parents create chaos.

Even with the difficulties of my sons' adjustment, our overall experience at Floyd was awesome. There are dedicated, enthusiastic teachers working the programs we were involved with. It really was a disappointment to us that the decision to expand to the seventh grade would be held up a year.

I do not know why the third-graders did poorly on the FCAT, but let us give credit where credit is due. The environmental center is a great learning experience.

Law enforcement piles up absurdities

Re: Deputies arrest man sought in two-county chase, May 24 Times.

My letters to the editor have become less frequent as I continue to mellow out, living here on the west coast of Carl Hiaasen's Flori-DUH. Still, at some point, my absurdity accumulation maximum is exceeded, and I must write.

How is it possible that sheriff's deputies handcuffed a 5-year-old child in a Florida elementary school? Don't they receive any special training that would enable them to handle a 5-year-old without the use of handcuffs? If they didn't receive any training, are they getting it now? What place does an armed policeman have in an elementary school to begin with?

And how is it possible that deputies south of here recently shot and killed a man during a traffic stop, claiming that he'd become belligerent? I didn't know that carried a death penalty in the Tampa Bay area. I suggest these men should be transferred to Hernando County, where the deputies are trained to come up with better reasons.

Then there's "Law and Order" Luke Frazier, the fringe Hernando County Commission candidate who promised to govern biblically if elected. When accused of sexually assaulting a young woman he allegedly lied to, he misled the investigating officers.

Finally, in the Keystone Kops category, there's the case of the rookie deputy who rolled over his cruiser during a pursuit on May 23, after swerving to avoid a dog. I don't think he did anything wrong, but it was a single-car accident, after all. How many of us (who were having a bad enough day already) have been issued a citation for careless driving after something beyond our control caused such an accident? That's why they call it an accident.

Those tickets are nothing more than a money grab. I do not appreciate being seen as a revenue opportunity by people whose salaries I pay.

Common sense is surely dead here on Florida's west coast, or it's being held without bail for resisting arrest without violence.

Look at the case's facts before charging racism

Re: Radiologist sues hospital, alleges discrimination, May 22 Times.

I would like to respond to the contents of the recent article in the Times regarding racism at Oak Hill Hospital.

As most of the readers of this article are aware, my wife has filed a lawsuit for sexual battery at the hands of the previous director of radiology, Dr. Delip Mehta. Upon learning of the incident, I was understandably quite upset. I confronted the accused with colorful language, sparing few four-letter words. I have now been indirectly accused of racism, an accusation I take very seriously.

I am the son of a German Jew and Hispanic Catholic, my dark complexion a Moorish influence on the people of southern Spain. Few people have been persecuted more than those mentioned above and, as such, discrimination of any sort was not tolerated by my parents.

For 20 years I have had a great working relationship with an excellent medical community of varied backgrounds. We have all worked hard to make the community a better place. It is in this spirit that Karyn Flatau has filed litigation.

We both feel strongly that what we have had to endure is absolutely unacceptable. The community hospital, like the church, should be a place of safe haven. Patients, as well as employees, should feel safe within the walls of the hospital. It is to this end that we seek justice.

I am sorry, Dr. Mehta and Todd Foster, but racism is not spoken here.

Shouldn't our impact fees, taxes pay to pave road?

Being new to Hernando County, I recently purchased a lot in the Royal Highlands to build my home. I was shocked to find that residents have to pay to pave their roads.

I am not fully understanding; I pay taxes. I pay impact fees, which, according to my neighbor, were already paid long ago, and now I have to pay for the road to be paved (not to mention the horrible power lines all over the place).

I'm just wondering if there are any plans for Royal Highlands in the works, considering all the building that's going on, or should we think twice about building here?

Former Rep. Thurman is an excellent choice

Karen Thurman has been elected Florida Democratic chairwoman to guide issues across the 67 counties for local, state and national nominees, and issues critical to the political process.

This exceptional individual - long established in the politics of this state and nation, from her beginnings in Dunnellon to capturing the 5th Congressional District for several terms - will serve those faithful to the ideology of progressives. Those people seek consideration for the middle class and those struggling to sustain common values basic to fairness in the course of our democracy, which guarantees that even the least of us factors into in the national equation.

Despite a mean-spirited campaign to oust her from her congressional seat, she decided to come back to the arena to serve the entire state of Florida. She is respected for her integrity, insight and practical politics. But Thurman's strongest base is here in the 5th Congressional District, where her accomplishments for constituents have merited the highest praise imaginable.

[Last modified May 27, 2005, 00:40:18]