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Commissioner is off the mark on growth issue

The struggle to balance the rights of individual property owners against the needs of the greater good is as old as time itself. You only have to look to the Middle East and Gaza to be reminded of just how serious this struggle can be. While the correlations may be overstated, the fact remains that passions are running high in our community. The issues are multifaceted and complex. Though panoramic views are nice and mark east Pasco as unique, I personally feel strongly that none of my tax contributions should be used to help finance infrastructure for unnecessary new developments in rural and isolated areas.

Every year we are told that our tax dollars have been stretched thin, failing to adequately support the incredible growth our county is experiencing. An attempt was made by Evans Properties to broker a last-minute deal, reducing their proposal from three homes per acre to one home per acre. Many citizens felt this was sudden and did not allow for appropriate community review. I feel it is disingenuous of Commissioner Steve Simon to offer credibility and support to such attempts when they are clearly designed to undermine the process. His assertion that last-minute deals are the norm and to be expected is uncharacteristically shallow. We are not dealing in used cars. We are dealing in the future of our county. We can do better.

Development and growth in Pasco will continue to accelerate. The time during which we as a county needed to persuade and encourage developers with incentives and conciliatory actions has passed. To go so far as to hint at future litigation that might be pursued by Evans Properties was rash, if not irresponsible. I hope Commissioner Simon will reconsider his statements and continue to do what he does best: educate and mediate on behalf of our future.

Three parks going to the dogs, but what about the children?

Re: Dogs to get own public play area, Aug. 19

When I first read this, I couldn't believe it, but on reflection I realize that this is a prime example of what is going on in Pasco County.

I'm a senior living in Colonial Hills, and vice president of our civic association. When first built, this area was designed as a senior community. It now has a mix of young and old (a good thing, in my opinion). However, there are no nearby play areas for the kids. The result is that kids of all ages either play in the streets or on property of people who are away. For many obvious reasons, this is not good.

We have been told by a county commissioner at one of our meetings that the children should go to the Holiday complex or somewhere east on Trouble Creek Road. This isn't feasible. These areas are a long way from here and parents can't always be hauling the kids.

At Pensdale and State Road 54, there is an entrance to our community. On one side is a retention pond and on the other is a vacant field that we believe is owned by the county. Neither of these is used for anything (I've never seen standing water in the retention pond).

Why can't/won't the county develop these sites into play areas? The retention pond would be fine for soccer and the field for basketball. I'm sure if the pond had water in it the kids would be smart enough to not go in it.

I think if there is money to develop not one but three dog parks, there should be money to develop an area for kids. If the field, in its unkempt condition, doesn't belong to the county, county officials should get it by eminent domain, clean it up and develop it for the kids.

Why are dogs more important in the eyes of the county park officials and director Rick Buckman than kids? I sure would like to meet with them and find out why.

[Last modified August 26, 2005, 01:36:21]