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Pay those who risk their lives a decent wage

Re: Pay raises for county employees.

Editor: Let's put our priorities in place. Yes, I believe the deputies should receive a pay raise. Why? Well for starters they are our only line for defense against the criminal element of the society we live with every day. Sure they carry guns to protect themselves, but so do the criminals. Yes, they have the training, but a lot of criminals and people commiting crimes have no remorse for anyone, especially the police.

Everyone who lives and breathes is at risk to be victimized? I am not downplaying anyone's importance in their career field, my own included, but let's put our priorities where they belong. The police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel deserve a lot more than they receive. They have a pure desire to help others and are there when needed, most of the time putting their own lives at risk.

As for your county commissioners, they are way overpaid for what they bring to our county. Yes, all county employees do deserve a larger salary with the exception of the commissioners whose salaries should be decreased to make up for the other county employees who actually work for a living.

Routes needed to deal with population increase

Re: Road work needed to enable evacuation , Sept. 27 letter

The letter writer raises a good point regarding evacuation for the New Port Richey area east of U.S. 19.

You don't have to be a county commissioner to realize the immediate Port Richey/New Port Richey area is bursting at the seams. Alternate routes linking to major roadways like the Suncoast Expressway are critical for many reasons. The Moon Lake Road construction and new communities will draw more people to an area that is already congested on a daily basis.

State Roads 54 and 52 cannot be the only answers for West Pasco residents heading east.

Aloha Utilities' reasoning just doesn't hold water

The one thing that just jumped out was when the president of Aloha Utilities stated that the low water pressure was the cause of everyone using the sprinklers, older pipes and a problem with a well. I'm sorry I cannot accept that.

For one thing, this area, Thousand Oaks, is only about 5 years old and we all use reclaimed water. And if I understand this right, the reclaimed water is on a totally separate system, which should not have any effect on the potable (drinking water) system.

So my question is: Why do I have more pressure on the reclaimed water system than in my home, which is a dribble. Every time I call and complain about the pressure, I'm told it has to be on my end because the Aloha system is working fine.

The president of Aloha also stated that they are allowed to go down to 20 psi in the pipes. Well, when that 20 psi starts at the utility, its only about 5 psi by the time it reaches the homes. Aloha field personnel have come to check the pressure at my home and they always say "Your pressure is within specs and is fine."

Why is the water coming out of my faucet like a little dribble? In other words, Aloha cannot keep up with the supply and demand.

Five years ago there was about 1,500 homes fewer than we have in this area today. The water pressure cannot be the same today as it was then. If the Aloha Utilities cannot keep up with the supply and demand of today's water needs for this area and other areas, give the company to someone who will.

[Last modified September 29, 2005, 01:19:16]