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Wal-Mart should learn from others

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published December 15, 2006

I read again about new Wal-Mart stores trying to get built at State Road 54 in Holiday and on U.S. 19, Bayonet Point. What I cannot believe is that Wal-Mart needs to build two new stores in such close proximity to two other existing Wal-Mart stores.

Did these folks who run Wal-Mart not see what happened to Kmart when they ran amok and built as many Kmart stores as they could squeeze into every available space, or Eckerd Corp., which built on every available corner? They closed and now we have unsightly empty buildings on many of our available locations.

The empty Kmart on Little Road is still vacant after at least four years. It looks horrible. We have an empty Eckerd store on Little and Trouble Creek roads and another on Little and Ridge roads. Absolutely shameful. These two locations were not that old when they were shut down. I have had to look at these empty buildings for what seems like three years.

It is time to stop the unnecessary building of stores that we do not need.

If Wal-Mart is having trouble and shoppers are not coming out in droves to shop there for Christmas, (sound familiar, Kmart?) why would they even propose to build another Wal-Mart?

It is time for people to go elsewhere to shop. We have a fabulous new Super Target. They at least know enough not to build too many so that they can make a profit and pay for the expensive piece of land on which they are located.

I will be shopping there instead of Super Wal-Mart.

The residents of Pasco County would love a Barnes & Nobles or Borders, something we have been promised and still do not have.

Roxie Spell, New Port Richey

Wal-Mart should be encouraged

I find it interesting that a New Port Richey Council member thinks that Wal-Mart's cheap prices "cheapens a community's image of itself." Think about it; this statement makes no sense at all.

And one of the community activists said she "always thought the county was supposed to be on the side of the people." Well. Seeing as how Wal-Mart's prices save an average of more than $2,000 per year for each middle class family, and some economists think Wal-Mart has done more than any other entity - including government - to keep inflation down, I would think that the county would best serve the people by encouraging Wal-Mart to build as many stores as possible.

Ernest Lane, Trinity

3 haulers to take up trash, Dec. 13 story

Why the big fuss about haulers?

I'm really not sure what all of the fuss is about. It took me all of 10 minutes to locate a new trash hauler and make arrangements effective Jan 1. What I did find interesting though is that the list of haulers included in the notification from Waste Management included themselves and companies who don't even do residential trash hauling or don't cover the affected area. At the very least, they should have done some due diligence on the list.

Companies change services all the time folks - as long as there are alternatives in the same price range, I'm not sure why there is such a hue and cry.

Lynne Desterre, Land O'Lakes

Greek school moves into permanent home, Dec. 13

Times insulted charter school

Shame on you! Your one paragraph brief about Athenian Academy of Pasco, a Greek Immersion Charter School in Pasco County, was insulting, to say the least. You made no mention of the children who attend this fine school and what they have accomplished in such a short period of time, no mention of how these wonderful, inspiring children sang our national anthem in English and then sang the Greek anthem in Greek!

These are children ages 5 to 10; quite an accomplishment, I think.

Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov.-elect Charlie Crist are firm supporters of charter schools. Bush released reports earlier this year regarding last year's results of the Florida public school system. The drop-out rate of high school age children in public schools was over 30 percent. Charter school students tested over 40 percent higher on FCAT and other state tests than public school students. This information was buried so far back in your paper, most people didn't even see it.

Check out your competition. The Tampa Tribune did two pages of our momentous occasion with pictures. Your reporter was allowed the first interview with school leader Mr. Goncalves. He gave your reporter a full tour of the school along with a sit-down interview. Your competition waited patiently and gave us so much more.

I have always had suspicions, now you have confirmed them. The St. Petersburg Times will never endorse nor publicize anything remotely connected to the Republican Party. The Pasco School Board and its "leader" Heather Fiorentino have opposed charter schools from the beginning. Why? Because it's money out of their pockets.

You will hear more about Athenian Academy of Pasco. This school is able to boast greater than 80 percent participation from parents and faculty, and that is growing. We can boast that our school leader, Mr. Goncalves, is a Harvard graduate who speaks five languages and has a passion for education that is unequal to any principal I have spoken with. Given your obvious noninterest in our fine establishment, I will do whatever I can to leave you out of the accomplishments that our students make. Let your readers find out from the Tribune. I will from now on because I am canceling my more than 20-year subscription with you.

Patricia Morris, Hudson Treasurer, PTO Athenian Academy of Pasco

Lack of carnival was huge let down

I attended the Christmas Parade in New Port Richey like I have every year since I was born 21 years ago. I attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, but drove down to attend the parade because it is an event that I was looking forward to - it is part of the holiday celebration.

My father, who had arrived at the parade before me, called to inform me that there was no carnival. This was a huge disappointment. There has been a carnival at every parade every year since I was born. Now, no carnival! Why? The worst part is that many families arrived early so their children could ride the rides.

Upon my arrival, I was also disappointed to discover the lack of food vendors. I only saw one trailer for funnel cakes, two little tables for hot dogs and a couple of people walking around selling cotton candy. This is ridiculous considering the enormous amount of citizens who show up for this parade.

Wait! It gets better. The public restrooms were closed and there were no portable toilets either. With all of the people, specifically the children and the elderly, who attend this parade, where are they supposed to go to the restroom? Was the city of New Port Richey permitting massive public urination? Since when has New Port Richey lost its holiday cheer, and encouraged unsanitary actions?

I hope that New Port Richey can pull it together for the Chasco parade. I would hate to be disappointed again.

Jessica Marlette, Port Richey

Void in family's Christmas, Dec. 11 story

Don't feel sorry for illegal individual

Was this article printed to make us feel sorry for her situation and send money, gifts etc? Or was it printed to show that her husband broke the law and they must suffer the consequences?

The key words are "Tryjillo came to the United States in 1994. He stayed in this country illegally."

If I or anyone else in my family does anything illegal, we expect to pay the consequences.

Art Liocano, Hudson

Justice or mercy? Crash takes a life, ruins another, Dec. 8 story

Crash victim is also to blame

There is a person other than Richard Cadmus-Diaz who is negligent in the death of Patrick Cooley.

That is Patrick Cooley himself. Patrick chose to ride with Richard, not fasten his seat belt even with headlights off.

I thought friends didn't let friends drive drunk. And friends shouldn't ride with friends who drive drunk.

Don't get me wrong. I don't condone what Richard did. It is a tragic accident that could have and should have been prevented.

Mr. Diaz should go to every high school and college in this area to show the pain and damage this behavior can cause.

I can only imagine what the cost to taxpayers will be locking up Richard in a prison hospital. I have taken care of a quadriplegic. I would never want to live or should I say exist like that.

With all due respect to the Cooley family, if you are a believer, then Patrick has moved on to a better place than Richard will ever find himself in.

Cal Johnson, New Port Richey

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[Last modified December 15, 2006, 06:52:14]