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Give sheriff we elected enough money to do his job

Those of us who elected Sheriff Bob White to lead our county's law enforcement agency should be proud. We are fortunate to have such a person leading Pasco's finest. Yet as prepared and articulate as he was during Tuesday's budget work session, he was unable to convince the county commissioners and staff that his budget was sensible and fiscally responsible as submitted.

Sheriff White began by explaining his own cuts to his budget. But in the end that wasn't enough. He left with fewer deputy positions, refurbished patrol cars for sheriff staff, and the elimination of an important traffic-safety device.

Electing Sheriff White isn't enough. We must show our support and confidence in our sheriff by calling, writing, or e-mailing our county commissioners and insist that they provide the necessary funding to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. A county commissioner's first responsibility is the public's safety. The current cuts certainly create some doubt.

Dennis De Salvo, New Port Richey

Sheriff's budget demands are outrageous

If I recall correctly, one of the main things that led to Sheriff White's defeating an incumbent was the latter's outrageous budget demands. White campaigned on some sort of reasonableness platform.

It seems that, in this regard, Sheriff White is no better than the man he replaced.

And I'm sure his potential opponents know this.

Ernest Lane, Trinity

Get going, or get out of the way

Re: Beef up police patrols, Sept. 19 letter

If you don't like the way other people drive, either use a different road, or don't drive at all.

Police departments all around (especially in Holiday and its surrounding areas) are always patrolling for the bad apples you mention as "morons" and "idiots." The letter made it seem as if there aren't any traffic control steps being taken. And don't complain at all about people taking up the "safe distance" area. The only reason people get in front of you is because you drive well below the speed limit.

People these days are in too much of a hurry to be held up, just because one guy in front of them wants to stay at least a mile behind the guy in front of him.

Sean Stress, New Port Richey

Cuts to sheriff's budget will hurt

Maybe the time will come when one of our commissioners is involved in a situation requiring the immediate response of a road deputy and there will be none available. I hope they look back on their decision to reduce Sheriff White's budget, which would have included at least 25 additional road deputies.

On three separate occasions I have been behind a drunk driver and, in each instance, the whole time on the phone with sheriff's dispatch, not one road deputy was available because of prior calls to which they were responding. In each situation I was on the phone no less than 15 to 20 minutes. Two of the vehicles I followed ended up in their own driveway, (too late) however, they were at least off the road. The other vehicle I lost at a red light after following it from U.S. 19 in Tarpon Springs to Main Street, New Port Richey. Very frustrating.

Art Fawcett, Holiday

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[Last modified September 20, 2006, 23:04:45]