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Board was right not to donate buses

Re: Board won't give buses to shelter, Sept. 8 Times:

It's gratifying to see that at least two of our Hernando County School Board members, Jim Malcolm and Sandra Nicholson, understand their responsibility, and denied giving away thousands of school tax dollars by not giving away five of the county's used school buses to anyone.

As reported, pastor Jeff Griffin pouted and attempted to use the guilt-trip ploy to sway the board. He questioned the members' commitment to the public. Both Malcolm and Nicholson were doing their jobs, as they were elected to do. Their commitment to the taxpaying public is most evident.

The School Board is the watchdog of our tax money, which is for the benefit of our children. Unfortunately, it seems that board member Pat Fagan doesn't understand his purpose on the board and was willing to reach into his pocket to grandstand and evidently was willing to reach into the shallow pockets of taxpayers and give thousands in children's funds to anyone he wished.

One can only hope that he gave the $100 that he had offered during his act and did not slip it back into his pocket when no one was watching.

Giving away buses would have been compassionate

Re: Board won't give buses to shelter, Sept. 8 Times:

As people everywhere, including those in countries abroad, rally to help and offer aid to the swelling numbers of Hurricane Katrina survivors, members of our School Board have declined to donate old school buses slated for auction. No excuse can justify the two dissenting votes.

While our school children willingly donate their lunch money and teachers and other staff members open their wallets to help, it is a disgrace that our School Board turned down Holy Ground Homeless Shelter's request.

The immediate and massive evacuation of people along our Gulf Coast is unprecedented and can hardly be compared with any other need or request for five school buses no longer used in Hernando County. They were purchased with tax dollars, paid by a community of compassionate, concerned people. If I, a teacher in the district, could afford to purchase the buses at auction, I would donate them without hesitation. Then again, as everyone knows, my salary precludes this possibility.

Federal government needs to think about Americans

During worship services recently at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, the Rev. Magar (Mike) Bedrosian spoke about Hurricane Katrina. Reflecting on the lack of foresight on the part of the federal government, Father Mike talked about the request for funds two years ago to build a levee in New Orleans. Less than half the funds were awarded, leaving the area in jeopardy for the disaster that has now occurred.

Father Mike also mentioned the lack of communication to the outside world, neglecting the use of Army walkie-talkies and the two- to four-day delay in sending help, although immediate assistance was given for those in need when a tsunami devastated Asian countries last year.

The federal government spends billions and billions of dollars sending men to the moon and other heavenly locations. Untold billions are spent sending our men and women to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to no avail. When will the government start concentrating on the needs of people here in America?

[Last modified September 11, 2005, 01:12:04]