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Teacher deserves a harsher punishment

I'm a student at Mitchell High, and I feel that Mr. Jeffrey Ford should have a harder punishment than just a slap on the wrist and the loss of a job. When you go to school, there should be nothing else other than teaching of a class, and learning going on, between teachers and students. I also believe that just because the student happened to be 18 that it does not lessen the misconduct . It is still the same circumstances as if it were a 15- or 16-year-old student.

I find it very immoral, and I believe that further actions should be taken. If not, then I feel we are letting someone get away with something with which other people have been charged.

Teacher wasn't sole person to exercise poor judgment

I am a 12th-grade student of Jeff Ford, the 27-year-old teacher who had an affair with a student. I have been in Ford's class for two years now, and it is very surprising to me that Ford was involved in such a thing. The news shocked everyone in his classes. Many of us are upset but will not look down on the man who inspired us, believed in us and made us believe in ourselves.

Ford is a wonderful man despite what has happened, and, if anything, everyone should stop blaming this situation on him. An affair takes two people, and even if he is older, the 18-year-old obviously had a part in this.

Ford is a very religious man, no matter who claims what, and even held prayer around the flagpole at school. If no one had even mentioned the fact that Ford was a religious man, then this subject wouldn't have made the paper as much as it has.

People, religious or otherwise, make wrong choices, but that doesn't mean they aren't devoted. Really, it's not up to anyone but him to question his faith.

Paper, reporter helped keep association going

Re: Club swings again to old beat , Dec. 5

Reporter Steve Thompson and the entire staff of the St. Petersburg Times deserve recognition for making the public aware of the fraud being perpetrated two years ago by Zeke Blevins against the members of the Lakes in Regency Park Civic Association. If it was not for Mr. Thompson's hard work at exposing Blevins, as well as keeping public pressure on during the subsequent prosecution of Blevins, there is little doubt the newly reformed civic association would be in operation today.

I applaud all who were involved in bringing Blevins to justice and restoring the community association to its rightful owners. Thank you for all that you have done.

Christmas tree is only kind decorated this time of year

I read in the Pasco section of the St. Petersburg Times that we are invited to the holiday tree lighting ceremony in Dade City. What is a holiday tree? You must mean a Christmas tree.

The St. Petersburg Times standard is simple: to get things right the first time.

You did not get it right. The star at the top, the lights placed on the tree and the tree itself are symbols of Jesus Christ. Calling it anything other than a Christmas tree is an error.

Should I expect a retraction? In this politically correct world today, probably not.

Pink license plates should be least of offenders' worries

All the complaints about Mike Fasano's proposed bill on DUI pink license plates is sheer nonsense. Sen. Fasano is not the problem.

If you drive while under the influence, what would you really fear the most? Could it be your image being destroyed? The color pink? Perhaps a black license plate signifying death with bold white DUI letters would be more appropriate. Come on readers, get with it.

Personally, I feel since I am a senior citizen and because I am a safe driver, do you think I would complain about getting a license plate showing off my identification?

[Last modified December 6, 2005, 14:38:49]