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Today's Letters: Frustrations of Social Security

I was trying to help a friend set up an appointment to go fill out for Social Security because they work.

This is what I found. The local hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., not bad but not good for the working people because it is only open Monday to Friday.

You had better sit back and have time to wait on the phone for at least two hours before someone answers because the recording starts you over and over again (I was restarted 13 times). Don't hang up or it will ring busy for 30 minutes or more. When you do finally get an answer they tell you to give your Social Security number to them even though in the letters they send out they say you aren't supposed to give this information to just anyone. Name and birthday are not good enough.

I think this is wrong. All I was looking for was to put a name in for an appointment. What information the people gave after they got there for their appointment was their business.

I challenge any and all government officials to call Port Richey Social Security office and see what I am saying is true. Wake up Social Security, no one wants to give such information over the phone to anybody. And, answer your phones or hire more people! Jamie Van Beek, Holiday

EMT captain weighs in on pay

I'm veteran of 19 years with Pasco County Emergency Services and hold the rank of captain/EMT. Over the last few weeks I've read many letters to the editor about my salary and benefits. I've watched my base salary increase from $62,000 per year to $68,000 per year over these few weeks in the newspaper. I even went to the Pasco County Web site to verify the starting pay for my position and found that they are advertising it higher than what I'm making now. This is a whole truth not a half. You can verify this by going to www.pascocountyfl.net and clicking on Job Opportunities and then click on Job Description and look up captain/EMT.

The county's lead negotiator Barbara De Simone can play with the figures all she wants. The bottom line is that I am a 19-year veteran and experienced line officer with this department, I make $17.399 per hour. I do work 24 hours on and 48 hours off. I realized the type work schedule when I took this job and I accepted the salary I was given when I was employed in 1988. I expected to receive increases in my salary as I advanced in my career and increases in the my salary for the cost of living. I have received some increases but not the amount that is expected for the industry standard.

Our county administer is paid a salary of more than $170,000 per year. Check the industry standard for his position and I'll bet you'll find that this is more than adequate. Check to see what other perks he receives in his contract that the rest of the county employees don't get. Bottom line is we put our lives on the line everyday for every one of the county citizens and anyone else who travels through or visits Pasco County. We provide a service that makes Pasco County a great place to live, raise children, and visit.

Shouldn't the county provide affordable heath insurance for our families and adequate pay as set forth in the industry standard? This is what the employees of Pasco County Emergency Services are asking for, these are the people who risk their lives by saving yours or you loved ones everyday. Kenneth Urbuteit, San Antonio

City lauded for animal stance

I'm glad that New Port Richey is on board with the other city governments standing up for animals suffering on factory farms.

Grocery stores, universities, restaurants and corporations also are refusing to sell battery cage eggs based on animal welfare concerns.

The intensive confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages is so severe that the animals can hardly move for their entire lives. Socially responsible cities like New Port Richey should be applauded for bringing light to this serious animal welfare issue. Jodi Chemes, New Port Richey

Gusts rip roofs , not that guest

I believe the March 9 Web article No one injured as stealth guest rips three roofs was probably meant to be written as "No one injured as stealth gust rips three roofs".

A guest would have to be quite strong to rip three roofs single-handedly. Carla Armstrong, Lutz

[Last modified March 11, 2007, 23:07:05]