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Insurers should cover all or none

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published December 21, 2006

Insurance carriers have been allowed to segregate Florida homeowners' insurance from the rest of their policies nationwide. Instead of spreading the risk over the nation as a whole, Florida is rated all by itself. Major insurance carriers post higher profits each year on a national level, but Florida has been allowed to stand alone. In the meantime, our rates are increasing by 30 to 50 percent each year. These rates affect everyone, even young families who rent homes. Landlords are in business to make a profit and pass on the cost to the tenant. So everyone pays these rates.

I think major insurance carriers should be required to rate Florida by spreading their risk over the entire nation. They should also be told that they will write homeowners' insurance in all of Florida or they won't write any insurance. That means no health, auto, life or other insurance, period. If they are going to get out of Florida, then let them get out altogether.

We are in an insurance crisis and our legislators should look to the recent national elections to see what happens when voters get fed up. Republicans lost control of both houses and I believe that they are in danger of having the same thing happen in Florida. I suggest you stop listening to the insurance lobby and start solving the problem.

Ronnie H. Holt, New Port Richey

Southern solution for insurance crisis

As I see it, every time there is a problem in Tallahassee: The politicians' remedy is to tax the population of Florida.

The problem is homeowners insurance. We have National Flood Insurance, which I have purchased for the last 27 years even though I'm not in a flood zone. The governors of the Southern states involved in hurricanes and sinkhole disasters should have a conference on putting together a Southern States Disaster Insurance Fund.

To start off we would bring back Rebecca Paul, the first head of the lottery, and ask her to put together a multistate lottery with a $50-million winner and put the proceeds in a profit-bearing account. That would be our seed money until we get on our feet. Each homeowner who wants disaster insurance for wind or sinkhole damage could buy in at a reasonable price.

The insurance companies must be regulated not to dump all their policy problems on this fund. Politicians must stay out of it. We must find an honest person who knows insurance and put together a fund.

Any insurance company found to be dumping on this fund shall be forbidden from doing business in the states involved. If we find a new insurance company or an existing one doing business for the crooked one, they would be fined or else face the same fate.

Walter B. O'Reilly, New Port Richey

On a mission to light up the world, Dec. 20 story

 What about a manger scene?

I could not help but wonder if the owners of the Chelsea Place Shopping Center would allow a manger scene depicting the birth of Christ to be set up in their parking lot. My guess is an emphatic no. Why? Because the politically correct police would find it offensive.

Why is it not offensive for the menorah, a symbol of Judaism marking the celebration of Hanukkah, to be displayed? That is a question for the P.C. police to answer and I anxiously await their reply.

Kerry J. Nice Sr., Holiday

Another Kurt for elections chief

This is an open letter to Gov.-elect Charlie Crist:

Republican leaders need to think long and hard about the person replacing Kurt Browning as supervisor of elections in Pasco County. He is leaving some very big shoes to fill. Kurt Conover can fill those shoes.

I know for a fact that Kurt is a man who gives everything he does 110 percent. He is a lifelong resident of Pasco County. He has held key leadership roles while employed (since the age of 22) with some of the largest employers in Pasco County. He has spent years as a supervisor, manager and director, overseeing hundreds of employees, volunteers and million-dollar budgets.

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who has done as much community service work as Kurt. He has received awards and acknowledgements for Citizen of the Year, Optimist of the Year and Eminent Pioneer of the Year. The list goes on and on. I have personally seen Kurt cleaning up the riverbank on Clean Up Day, painting houses on Paint Your Heart Out Day and digging dirt at the Rotary Community Pavilion. He does whatever it takes.

On top of that, Kurt is a dedicated husband and father and is actively involved with his children's activities and supports the groups they are involved in. Kurt is Pasco County!

The governor could do no better than to choose Kurt Conover to be Pasco County's next supervisor of elections. And, yes I am a friend of Kurt Conover's and am very proud to say so.

David Parris, New Port Richey

Note to water hogs: Follow rules

We are told that Florida is in such a constant state of drought that 70 percent of homeowners' water usage goes to their lawns. This is why we have watering restrictions.

Homeowners, though, due to their unquenchable thirst for watering, drown out water restrictions. These water hogs saturate lawns on weekends and late at night, when code enforcement is off.

Unless adequate conservation stems the flow of this liquid gold, the well will eventually run dry. There is talk of raising the cost of water to slow demand.

For those of you who care about your state, your country and your neighbors, continue to bottle up your water usage. Hopefully watering violators will shut off their spigots before we all have to pay through the nose.

Cindy Johnson, New Port Richey

Many efforts feed 400 families

On Dec. 18, our office, in conjunction with the office of Rep. John Legg, held the fifth annual Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway in New Port Richey.

Every year, the Farm Share program donates a truckload of produce and other goods that are distributed to families in the area that need food for the holiday season.

The day was a great success, providing food for more than 400 families. The food giveaway continues to be a success because of the commitment and involvement of many people who volunteer their time to spread some holiday cheer to these families.

Volunteers included the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the Pasco County Explorer's program, Dayspring Academy Middle School and Knights of Columbus Council 5869. Lowe's of New Port Richey donated the forklift and operators to unload the food. The Pasco County Dental Association provided volunteers to distribute donated dental goods from area dentists. Most of all, the Farm Share program should be recognized for continuing to donate food to this event every year.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this event a success, and we look forward to continuing the food giveaway for years to come.

Mike Fasano, Florida senator, District 11

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[Last modified December 21, 2006, 08:52:28]