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School open houses held at bad times

I would like to know who decided on the hours to hold open houses at all Hernando County schools. My children attend Challenger K-8, and the open house will be held Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to either 1 or 2 p.m. Did anyone take into consideration single working parents or two-income households when scheduling open houses?

My children will go to school on Aug. 10 not knowing where to go or who their teachers are. This is extremely disappointing.

I know the teachers have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year, and no one wants to work a couple of hours in the evening, but is it too much to accommodate parents who must work?

Michelle Walker, Spring Hill

Scams will go on until law enforcement gets serious

Re: Remodel built her ire, not rooms, July 30 Times:

Excellent article about contractors who take deposits and then don't do the work contracted for.

The same thing happened to my 92-year-old mother and me. We gave a substantial down payment for an addition so my mother could have her own bedroom and bath, plus a free-standing garage, and got nothing but lies, evasions and heartache.

One reason that contractor feel free to con people and steal their deposit money is that law enforcement does not consider this much of a crime. I have been told by our Sheriff's Office and by the State Attorney's Office that this is a "civil" matter, not criminal.

Since when is stealing people's money a civil matter?

The only agency that took my complaint seriously was the county Development Department, and it has no power to send anyone to jail or get deposit money back.

These "contractors" know how to play all the angles, and they know very well there is not much likelihood of their being prosecuted and forced to make restitution, so it is a very big scam in this state. Why work if you can just take people's money and get away with it?

Until law enforcement takes this crime seriously and protects the people they were elected to protect, this sort of scam will go on.

Renate Bauer, Brooksville

Commissioner Schenck needs a history lesson

It is my opinion that Robert Schenck didn't do anything good for the people of Hernando County as a county commissioner. I personally think, as a politician, he is no good.

I want all my people to remember that when I went to help the Hispanic people to get a Spanish translation on the commission's Web site, Mr. Schenck referred to Puerto Rican immigrants. As a former teacher, he has to know that Puerto Rico belongs to the United States and we are Americans born under the American flag. I want people to remember that during the November elections.

Mr. Schenck, I know you campaign door-to-door. Be sure to wear a bathing suit this time.

Rachael Rodriguez, Spring Hill

Safety, friendliness make THE Bus the place to be

I have been riding THE Bus while my car is in the garage for repairs. THE Bus is a pleasure to ride. It is clean, on time, comfortable and the drivers are safe and friendly.

After our car is repaired, I'll probably keep on riding THE Bus!

Thank you, Hernando County!

Doris Taylor, Brooksville

When it comes to our fire services, here's another view

In a recent guest column, Nick Morana painted a one-sided picture of how joining the Hernando County Fire Rescue District with the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District would help Spring Hill. On the other side of the coin we have a different picture.

If my figures are correct, Hernando Fire Rescue covers about 413 square miles, with two hospitals in its coverage area. The county fire district has only eight firehouses, which equates to about 50 square miles per house. Spring Hill has only about 46 square miles, which equates to only about 12 square miles per house.

So, with life and property to be considered, who has the better protection?

Everett Lindros, Spring Hill

Agencies do the best they can with homeless animals

Re: SPCA takes back dog because it was kept out, July 31 Times:

Thank you so much for focusing on another important issue regarding pet welfare. It is often hard for the public to clarify all of the facts regarding a situation from one news story. While I do not know all of the facts of this particular adoption, or the specific criteria the SPCA uses in an adoption, I can tell you that anyone I have worked with from the SPCA of Hernando has always had the best interests of their orphaned pets at heart.

Each shelter has what they feel are the best guidelines to evaluate the right home for the right pet. At the Humane Society of the Nature Coast, like most pet rescues, we evaluate each family and each pet individually. One dog may prefer to primarily live outside and be very happy in that environment. It is our job as rescuers to learn about the pets in our care and know what type of home they need. Our primary obligation is to these pets and making sure they are in the appropriate home where they will be loved and cared for.

We are very diligent when someone wants to adopt a dog to be kept outside. It is not a hard-and-fast rule that we will not allow it, but we screen which pets, if any, prefer that lifestyle. Too many people are looking for a watchdog that is fed and watered, but receives very little attention. That is not considered an appropriate home.

Pets deserve love, attention and good health care. That is not to say that everyone who has their dog outside is neglecting them. However, it is easy for some families to forget the love and attention when they have an outdoor dog. Out of sight is out of mind, even if it is unintentional.

It is amazing how many families want a "yard dog" during "snowbird season" and then turn them in or abandon them when they go back north. One gentleman told us directly "It is cheaper than an alarm system." (We refrained from lynching him)

Every rescue agency in our community does its best to protect pets and place them in good homes. This is not a black-and-white science, but a careful evaluation process and a judgement call to the very best of our ability. Each and every time we pray it is the right call. Unfortunately, not everyone is as honest with us as they should be, which ultimately causes complications, especially for the pet.

Education of the public is the key for all our homeless pets. There are no easy answers. Until people become more responsible for their pets, including spaying and neutering, we must be responsible for them. Please, those who think that this is an easy task, come and volunteer at one of our local pet shelters and judge for yourself.

Joanne Schoch, executive director

Humane Society of the Nature Coast

YOUR VOICE COUNTS

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[Last modified August 1, 2006, 06:42:25]