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Invocations are unfair, divisive

Invocations are unfair, divisive 

Re: Invocation distracts from city's real issues, editorial, Nov. 19.

The St. Petersburg Times got it right on the question of invocations at City Council meetings.

As Americans, we are guaranteed the right to observe the faith and deity of our choosing. For this reason, a diversity of faiths flourishes in our nation. However, when it comes to government, it should not be in the business of choosing one faith over another. This is unfair, divisive and un-American.

Starting City Council meetings with an invocation to a particular faith sends a message of exclusion to citizens of other faiths, or no faith, and violates at least the spirit of the constitutional duty to treat all citizens equally without regard to religion.

If city councils choose to have invocations, they should be nondenominational and ecumenical to send a message of inclusion and to convey that diverse faiths and traditions are the fabric of our communities.

Andrew L. Rosenkranz, Florida Regional Director Anti-Defamation League, Boca Raton

'Politicians,' let the pros decide

These so-called politicians, Citrus County Commissioners Joyce Valentino and Vicki Phillips, are daring to question a real professional, Capt. Joe Eckstein of the Sheriff's Office, who is in charge of emergencies and disasters, about having a fortified central command building.

Both of them should go home to their kitchens where they belong, as they have already shown how little they know about doing things to help Citrus County.

They have taxed us into the ground and don't listen to their constituents. They are the real desperate housewives. Let the professionals do their jobs.

Ray Raphael, Beverly Hills

Checks, balances crucial to system

Checks and balances get Humpty Dumptied, thanks to the "Yes, I want a recount; uh, no I don't," flip-flopping fiasco on the part of local Democratic leadership.

Talk about serving up a high-protein dish of goodies: The local elephants gobbled it up. Republican chairman Bill Grant called the process provided by Florida statutes amateur hour and says Republicans on the state level thought it was a joke.

Do these Republicans actually think the legal system, or Florida law, is amateurish or a joke? The process the Democrats initiated is, after all, provided for by Florida statutes. Maybe the next time Mr. Grant collects for his courtroom karaoke, he should refund the clients' money and tell them it was just a joke.

Then comes the defining Republican spin, "I'm just shocked that they would go and question the integrity of probably the three most honest people in Citrus County." Mr. Grant, it isn't about the people, it's about the process and equipment.

Does anyone need to be reminded that checks and balances are the mother's milk of the political system and, in fact, of government itself, not to mention commerce?

To publicly ridicule one person or party's effort for initiating this lawful process smacks of politics in its worst form. Maybe Mr. Grant is warming up to be on Bill O'Reilly's show again.

This election was about checks and balances, or lack thereof, that have facilitated political shenanigans testing the extreme boundaries of our constitution.

As for the Democrats, Mike Jarrett, chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee, said we didn't understand the process. We had no idea that we had to question anyone's integrity. Leadership agrees this was a stupid mistake.

The real victim in all this is the candidate who worked his butt off in an effort to serve the people, Bernie Leven. Bernie stated he was along for the ride; maybe he was kidnapped and taken for a ride.

Jim Gries, Homosassa

Re: For county taxpayers, bus is a necessary evil, Andrew Skerritt column, Nov. 28.

Growth will kill THE Bus funding

Skerritt writes: "The best reason to keep THE BUS running today is about tomorrow, the future. As the county grows, ridership grows." Skerritt failed to mention that when the population hits a certain number, the federal grant money will stop. Then Hernando taxpayers will pay the entire cost!

Bob Cooper, Spring Hill

Dunnellon losing dedicated mayor

I would like to express my sincere thanks to former Dunnellon Mayor John Taylor for his service to the community.

I have had the pleasure of knowing the mayor the last few years and have found him a fine gentleman and an official dedicated to serving our community to the best of his ability.

It takes a lot of dedication, sacrifice and effort to make a difference in the community where you live. There are many avenues that one could travel, in addition to public service, to improve our community: involvement in civic organizations, church life and support of not-for-profit organizations such as the Dunnellon Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street.

For one individual to have used all of these opportunities to better the quality of life in our community is above and beyond normal expectations.

The citizens of Dunnellon, and the people living in the surrounding area, all have profited from the efforts of John Taylor.

I was exposed to Mayor Taylor mainly through the chamber of commerce, of which he was very supportive.

He was always lending his presence at public functions that the chamber sponsored to bring business and visitors to the city, and many times he was there to assist in putting up tents at 4 a.m. In addition to being the leader of the city, he was also a regular guy.

It was extremely disappointing to see that the political environment in this town has sunk to such a level that it caused this fine gentleman to come to the conclusion that he could no longer accept the negatives that came with providing his service to the city and the community.

He will be missed!

Thank you, John, for your service. We'll miss your leadership and your friendship.

Don Verity, Dunnellon

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[Last modified December 1, 2006, 06:36:24]