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Limit on size of co-taught classes helpful

As a Pasco County teacher with a co-teacher in my room for the last 10 years, I am glad to see the co-taught classes limited to 25 students. It has been my experience that I usually have 37 to 42 students in my co-taught classes, and not 30 (as different Times reporters keep using).

I believe that two classes of 21 would be more effective that one class of 42.

Attorney also great mentor to numerous young lawyers

Re: Plead 'em out Pete, Aug. 21

Your article was exceptionally written and particularly insightful to those people who are unacquainted with the workings of our criminal justice system. I read every word of this article twice because I applauded the fact that you have lauded not only one of the finest attorneys in our area, but one of our finest citizens as well.

With so many negative stories written about lawyers, it was gratifying to see Pete Proly being recognized for his exceptional talents and undying commitment to his clients and their needs.

One area that your piece did not cover is that Proly is an exceptionally generous attorney, particularly to younger, less experienced criminal defense lawyers.

In 1995, I was a young, struggling criminal lawyer who had an office out of the second bedroom of my Brandon apartment. When Proly referred to me a criminal case, it was my very first paying client. My wife and I danced in jubilation around our tiny living room, because thanks to Proly, I was finally a real lawyer with a real law practice.

I hope that article didn't lose sight of the fact that Proly has helped hundreds if not thousands of people in this community get a second chance in life. His loyalty and dedication to his clients is to be commended.

Reporter, teen cyclist need lesson in local geography

Shame on Phil Davis for using such a sensationalized lead in Helicopter helps find teen lost on bike trail. The teen certainly had not "rode almost all the way to St. Leo," as stated in the story. She was nowhere near it.

It's equally disturbing that the girl apparently was aware that St. Leo is kind of far from the Starkey Park bike trail, yet she didn't realize she couldn't possibly have gone within 13/4 miles of it (as implied by the story), since she hadn't crossed the Suncoast Parkway, U.S. 41 or Interstate 75.

Give me a break. Give the girl and Davis a map.

High school journalists really miss beloved teacher

I am a senior at Wesley Chapel High School. In my third year in the journalism program, I was chosen to be one of two editors in chief for our school paper, Paw Prints.

As I'm sure you are well aware, the students came to Mr. Geier's classroom on the first day of school only to find a substitute. Over these past two weeks, our national award-winning newspaper has dissolved to nothing and the classroom is babysat for 50 minutes each day. I cannot begin to describe how infuriating it is to have someone in charge who has never seen what lengths our news team has gone through to publish our paper.

Only now is it apparent just how much Mr. Geier does for us, the students. In past years, he is always the first one on campus and the last to leave. He stays at school for hours on the weekend just to supervise as we make finishing touches. He is, truly, the only adult at Wesley Chapel High who I feel has ever gone the extra mile for us.

Mr. Geier's classroom is his home away from home, and his students are his family. He would never do anything to harm such a relationship with the school nor the community.

Do young victims of child sex offenses get over it?

Re: Most sex offenders deserve a second chance from society, Aug 22 letter

How long should sex offenders pay for their crime? Perhaps we should ask the victims. Do you really think a child that is a victim of a sexual offense ever recovers?

There is a registered sex offender that co-habitates with my neighbor. The fact that he served his time and it only happened once (that he was caught at) makes me very uncomfortable.

Ask any mental health professional. Sexual offenses against a child is behavior that cannot be modifed or rehabilitated. I wonder how Christian-like the letter writer would be if this kind of horrific crime were committed against her child or grandchild. The sick animals that commit these horrible acts against children probably weren't feeling very Christian-like either.

[Last modified August 25, 2005, 01:09:20]