Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Coalitions face hard choices in serving children

Re: Pre-K program gone, but funds remain, June 3.

Because of the likelihood of readers' confusion over a misleading headline and vague terms, I feel it may be helpful to clarify some items in the St. Petersburg Times article.

It is important to note the article is not about Florida's free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, which is available to all 4-year-olds in Florida.

The VPK program offers parents the choice of enrolling their children in the regular school year program or the summer program, which is now under way. The VPK program is a tremendous success and is the second-largest such program in the nation within its first year. It continues to provide valuable early learning experience to all Florida's enrolled 4-year-olds - a crucial steppingstone to their success in school and in life.

Instead the article appears to be about a local program funded with School Readiness dollars provided to the local school district from the Early Learning Coalition. Across the state, Early Learning Coalitions are faced with the difficult task of making choices that best serve the children of their communities as a whole. As they make these choices, their goals and the goals of the school boards are the same: to maximize the use of precious resources and to identify areas of greatest need that will best serve our children. This is not an exact science, and there are certainly numerous and widely divergent opinions as to the most effective course of action.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation's Office of Early Learning will continue to offer any assistance possible to the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties as it continues to focus on how best to serve the children of Pasco and Hernando counties.

Linda H. South, Director, Agency for Workforce Innovation, Tallahassee

People who abuse animals should be punished harshly

I was deeply saddened to hear Miracle has died. This special dog has touched the lives of people all across the country. I wish to thank Gary Franckewich for saving her and providing her love, care and a good home. Also, thanks to all those who gave their time, money and thoughts that led to this beautiful animal's recovery.

This would be a much better world if there were more people like Gary and fewer people like the sick, twisted individual who abused Miracle. I believe there is a special place in heaven for people like Gary. And I believe judges should punish people who abuse animals to the fullest extent of the law. One year in a detention center is hardly justice. Studies have shown that many child abusers started out as animal abusers.

Daryl Scott, Trinity

Club Wildwood's amenities hard to find elsewhere

I have lived in Club Wildwood for 11 years; this park is a wonderful place to live.

I was very upset when the tenants of Club Wildwood were told to put $50,000 on each home (to purchase the park). I never had $50,000 in my life of 85 years old. As a matter of fact, my home insurance was dropped and I am not insured for my mobile home or belongings.

I own the mobile home and rent costs me $365. There are many residents at Club Wildwood on a low income.

I ask you, where do we senior citizens go who cannot afford to pay high rent? The apartments for just seniors have a long waiting list.

I feel safe in our Club Wildwood; we look after one another. I look forward on every other Saturday to the coffee klatch and when the men have the pancake breakfast, which they make and serve themselves. Yummy! We get orange juice, large pancakes and sausage, coffee or tea.

There are many things going on at Club Wildwood.

Jacqueline Jensen, Hudson

Will doggy diners require carding, extra clean up?

I found a recent article very interesting! It mentioned that Gov. Bush has signed a bill allowing pet owners to take their dogs out to eat with them outside at restaurants. It even had a picture of him holding a dog, a good-looking dog.

The part I am curious about is the governor's stated sharing of the brewskis and hot dog together. I've shared a few brewskis in my time along with a hot dog. Of course, it was referring to beer. If a dog is served a beer is there a limit to how many he can have, and will he need identification to show how old he is?

If Gov. Bush ever took a dog out for this special treat and others, come prepared with a scooper for accident No. 2 or with a mop for No. 1. Guess restaurants would have to put out containers to handle any items after accidents.

I wonder how long before cat lovers will be protesting this bill. Restaurants would have to post signs: "Dogs Only.''

We had people, in the service, who were called chow hounds because they were always asking for seconds on food. Now restaurants could end up with chows, hounds and many other breeds. I guess restaurants will have to order extra doggy bags.

Kenneth H. Mueller, New Port Richey

Contrary to letter, research shows no one is born gay

Re: Schools must try to erase homophobic ignorance, June 2 letter.

I'm afraid the writer showed a bit of his own ignorance. In their book Answers to the Gay Deception, Marlin Maddoux and Christopher Corbett describe research done on identical twins (genetically the same) where it was found that because one developed homosexual desires did not mean that the other necessarily would do so. Thus, nobody is born gay and has to stay that way.

The writer states, "It has long been established through history, common sense, modern medicine and psychiatry, that people don't decide to be gay, just as people don't decide whether to be male or female, black or white and certainly don't decide to be straight!'' He draws a conclusion here that "it has long been established'' when research and study are proving otherwise. More and more renowned researchers agree that the roots of homosexuality can be traced to emotional and psychological abnormalities during childhood, especially failure to bond properly with the same-sex parent, and an emotional reaction to sexual abuse.

Fortunately there is help for those who want to go back to being "straight," and the March/April 2001 issue of Family Voice magazine reported more than 20,000 successful conversions of people becoming straight. Some of these ex-gays have founded an organization called Parents and Friends of Ex-gays and Gays (PFOX). They are presently working to tell their side of the story to schools around the country as an equal part of a sex education curriculum, as reported in a Tampa Tribune article May 29.

To become enlightened on this very controversial subject I suggest the writer and your readers read Answers to the Gay Deception. Also, Louis Sheldon's book The Agenda, sold in major bookstores, is very revealing.

The letter writer quoted St. Paul in 1 Corinthians: "By the grace of God, I am what I am, and God's grace, which He bestowed upon me, was not in vain.'' If the writer interprets that to mean God accepts homosexuality as a moral lifestyle, let me remind the writer what else St. Paul said in Corinthians (6:9-10): "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, will inherit the kingdom of God.''

Why did I get so involved in learning about homosexuality? That's easy. A dear relative chose the homosexual lifestyle. She died of AIDS three years ago.

Dick Walker, New Port Richey

Bob Evans' mush would be welcome in Hernando

Re: Their restaurant quest is a mushy love story, June 6 Andrew Skerritt column.

I wanted to let you know that we have lived here for 20 years and have been pushing for Bob Evans to open in Hernando County.

We lived all our life in Cincinnati until 1985 when we moved here. I also like their mush, and my wife likes their biscuits and gravy, which are very good.

I also sent letters to the main office and told the manager the same thing. They should have been here about 10 years ago. I am 82 and my wife is 78. I am a retired detective sergeant from Norwood, Ohio.

It is a 20-mile drive, but it is worth it. Hope they can open soon. We both have been going to Bob Evans since they opened in Cincinnati. Thanks for the article. Maybe they will move a little faster.

Mel Prell, Weeki Wachee

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 June 9, 2006, 13:04:50]