Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Catering to NRA's bidding creates absurd laws

Re: Zephyrhills law conflicts with state gun rules, Oct. 4 letter.

Editor: Daniel W. Burgess Jr. of the Zephyrhills City Council is certainly correct that state law does supersede local gun control laws.

In 1998, the National Rifle Association pushed through what was called a preemption law that in effect canceled all city and county gun control laws and elevated that right exclusively to the state. No gun control laws on the local or even the state level have been passed since that time. Miami tried to pass some gun control laws to calm the gun violence rampant there. However, the Florida Supreme Court threw the laws out. It would be difficult to count the many lives and injuries this preemption law has cost this state.

The NRA thoroughly dominates this Legislature and governor, and no gun control law of any kind has been passed since 1988. However, this legislature and governor continue to support and pass NRA-sponsored laws that have loosened what few controls we do have on firearms.

The latest is the new shoot-first law effective Oct. 1 that sped to the governor for signature with the votes of Sens. Mike Fasano and Victor Crist and, as always, Rep. Ken Littlefield.

In addition, the two legislators who wrote the shoot-first law for Marion Hammer of the NRA have just introduced another bill that will force business owners to allow guns in cars in company parking lots in Florida. We think Disney just might have some objections. But it does make it easier for someone who wants to go postal to obtain his gun and act out his anger on fellow employees.

It will then be a felony for any business owner to stop employees from bringing guns into their parking lots. Mr. Business Owner, if you refuse to allow this, you will be arrested, handcuffed and sent off to jail per the exact wording in this bill! You don't think this Legislature would pass anything so stupid? Many thought the Legislature would never pass anything so stupid as the shoot-first law, but they did!

What will be next? It will be another NRA bill to force employers to allow employees to carry their guns into the workplace. Crazy, you say? Do you all remember when Ann and Bill Bunting, the head of the Pasco Republican Party, went before the Zephyrhills City Council and demanded that employees be allowed to carry their guns during working hours and when working at people's homes?

We can only hope that more people will start asking their elected representative why they keep voting on these insane NRA bills.

Don't count on Pasco when big hurricane hits

Re: Exodus daunting if big one hits, Oct. 2

The article shows Pasco County has the same degree of preparedness as New Orleans.

It's not a matter of "if" the big one hits but rather "when." When it does hit, the lack of planning will probably result in a huge loss of life. The bottom line: All county residents should have their own escape plan and be ready to leave within an hour. Don't rely on local government to save you. Residents of New Orleans did, and the death toll is still climbing.

Word of congratulations for waste to energy plant

On Sept. 28th, there was a very significant event that took place in Pasco County that went unnoticed and unreported by the media.

Pasco's waste to energy plant, operated by Covanta Energy, received the highest U.S. government award for excellence in safety. The coveted OSHA star status award is so exclusive that less than .01 percent of approximately-6 million work sites ever achieves this high rank.

The requirements are extensive but the Hays Road facility persisted and was presented the star flag to fly over the plant in a ceremony. What makes this award even more special is that the employees initiated it. Under the able leadership of Keith Burbridge, control room operator, the requirements were pursued and completed. Others who played key roles were Terry Bonner, safety and training co-coordinator, and Beth Hurley, vice president of health and safety.

I would personally like to thank the employees at Pasco's waste to energy plant for what they do and congratulate them on the way they do it. The star flag that now flies over the facility is a constant reminder of the dedication and resolve of these very special workers.

Opponents of creek bridge seek continued support

We want to thank all members of the Safety Now group of West Pasco and the Beacon Woods residents for their effort and cooperation in putting together the people to oppose building a bridge over Bear Creek to link Beacon Woods Drive.

As some of you know, Wal-Mart applied for a permit to build a supercenter at the old Bayonet Point Mall in Hudson and plans to build the aforementioned bridge. This bridge will only do harm to our beautiful community of Beacon Woods.

Let's get together to stop this bridge and participate in writing letters and making calls to the Development Review Committee and the Pasco County Commission.

The Wal-Mart hearing is scheduled for this month, and we expect all the media to attend.

Retirees can't cope with higher insurance rates

We have read many articles about the rise in homeowners insurance rates. Our rate for $20,000 coverage, $10,000 for contents and $5,000 for medical expenses went up from $260 last year to $1,215 this year.

We reduced the coverage from $30,000 to $20,000 a few years ago because the mobile home is a 1981 model. We have lived in Sunshine Lakes Estates Mobile Home Park for 21 years. We are many miles from the Gulf of Mexico and have had to evacuate twice. We have a lake in our park and the highest it ever went up was to the road, and it did no damage at all.

We had one incident of wind damage: A screen blew out on our front porch, and we had it replaced for $25.

We are both retired and live on Social Security and do not need any more bills like this one.

Citizens should rethink sinkhole coverage policy

At the rate Citizens is raising our insurance premiums, and with our having no other companies to choose from, what are we to do? Last year, my own premium went up 138 percent and could go up another 124 percent next year.

They blame everying on sinkholes. The whole state of Florida is a sinkhole, and I think if we here in Pasco County have to pay higher rates, then everyone should pay the same.

I think everyone should be given the option whether they want sinkhole coverage. If that policyholder wants coverage, it should be written under a separate policy like wind and flood policies are. By doing so, I am sure other insurance companies would continue to write policies in our area.

I was forced into an early retirement due to an illness, and I'm on a fixed income of Social Security disability. What about all the retirees out there who have been forced to go to work to make ends meet?

SHARE YOUR VIEWS

The Pasco Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.

Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length (250-300 words maximum as a rule). Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed.

Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668, or by fax to 727-869-6233 or go to www.sptimes.com/letters/

Fill out the form to supply us with your personal information, the subject line, and type your letter in the space provided. You can also cut and paste a letter that you have prepared elsewhere in your computer. When you are done, hit the button that says "Submit My Letter."

[Last modified October 5, 2005, 01:14:17]