Big wheels like driving expensive vehicles
Letters to the EditorPublished October 5, 2006
It does not shock me that the big wheels of our communities are driving around in expensive wheels. Sheriff Bob White asked for an enormous amount of money to meet his budget. What do they want next time? A Hummer with a sunroof, Bose sound system, etc?
The only practical sheriff is Grady Judd of Polk County.
Nancy Lee Pickron, Holiday
Remember how sheriff spent our tax money at election time
Thanks for keeping me informed about how my tax dollars are being spent. As I struggle to come up with the extra homeowners insurance premiums and tax dollars, Sheriff Bob White spends my tax dollars on a luxury car.
Whoa, does this make me angry? You bet.
I and most Pasco voters will remember this at election time. Now I get to drive away in my Hyundai.
Margaret Wareham, New Port Richey
Sheriff's Office has improved under Bob White's leadership
Re: Hard to miss sheriff, Oct. 1 C.T. Bowen column
In reading yet another article critical of the Pasco County sheriff, it appears to me that you are more concerned about things that are far less reaching than the significance of the real measure of the office: the reduction in crime despite double-digit population growth for our area.
You seem hell-bent on pointing out the alleged inadequacies of an office that has been much maligned (and deservedly so) in the past but has improved steadily since Bob White assumed leadership. Mr. White is a people's sheriff, and to most citizens of Pasco County, he is doing an exemplary job!
I, for one, wouldn't mind reading about that.
John D. Wing, Dade City
Article on sheriff's Tahoe was waste of newspaper's space
Subject: Sheriff Bob White's Tahoe
This story sounds like it was written by a bored reporter with nothing to do. I'm surprised this reporter didn't check into which sheriff has the biggest fishing pole or how much it cost, or what they pay for a haircut, or even who has the biggest riding lawn mower. How stupid a story, and why would the paper waste so much space to report nothing?
I certainly don't have a problem with some of my tax dollars being used for that type of vehicle. I believe the sheriff deserves to drive whatever he wants. After all, the sheriff represents our county of Pasco. Maybe we should we let him drive a Kia. How classy that would be?
What I do have a problem with is some of my tax dollars paying for someone's education when I don't have any kids in school myself. That ticks me off.
I would gladly see more of my tax dollars go towards the sheriff's department for better equipment and protection for the men and women who are out there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, driving old vehicles. People with no kids in school should have their tax dollars pay for the county services, and all families with kids in schools should have their tax dollars pay for all the educational needs. This way when the sheriff buys a new Tahoe, some of us can relax and go about our business.
We need to make this into a real story. Here goes: Sheriff Bob White wears cowboy boots that make him taller than the Pinellas County sheriff. That's not fair. Bob White paid $60 more for the boots just so he could be taller. He could have bought police-issued shoes for less money and be just as tall as the other sheriffs. Now there's a story.
Tony Dato, New Port Richey
Candidates need to tell us how they plan to fix our problems
I am sick and tired of the political rhetoric that we hear from most of the candidates. I'm not interested in the bashing of opponents; I want to hear what you intend to do for our residents and community.
You all say that insurance rates must come down. I agree. To those of you who are currently in office, why didn't you speak up many months ago when this problem came to light? I'm fairly certain that you knew before the rest of us that this disaster was on the way. The only politicians I'm aware of who responded to our cries for help were Rep. John Legg and Sen. Mike Fasano.
To those who are trying to replace our current politicians, please get off the soapbox, stop the attacks and tell us what your plans are to fix this and other problems that we face. We need to know that you are with us and will be held accountable to the people. Please be in touch with your constituents, as we are the ones who will have faith in you and will count on you every step of the way.
Eileen LaMonte, New Port Richey
Solution to keeping children out of pools is simple one
In most houses with swimming pools, you enter the pool area through a sliding glass door.
To prevent a small child from entering the pool area, place a stick in the slot that the door slides on. The stick can be an old mop or broom handle or a piece of PVC pipe. The door can't open if the stick is in place.
This simple solution will save young lives. You will not print it because loss of life makes good copy for your newspaper. Without good copy, you don't get advertisement dollars.
Shame on you.
Hiram Barger, Port Richey