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Today's Letters: Forget civility; try keeping it legal

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 20, 2007

Brooksville City Council member Joe Bernardini asked that a proposed civility code be placed on Monday night's agenda to help guide discourse for the council members and the public. Bernardini was quoted as saying, "I think that's just a professional way of trying to alleviate a problem."

What problem is that, Mr. Bernardini? The little problem of masking any criticism for your actions, or those of your two peers on the City Council over the past several months?

Aren't you actually trying to eliminate any scrutiny by the public for your abuse of city government since taking office in November?

Yes, the days of civility have gone by the wayside and somehow elected officials and government workers have forgotten they are, in essence, civil servants with their primary purpose to serve the people in a civil, courteous manner. The city of Brooksville has come a long way, with most of us assuming a more mature, polite manner of communication is possible. But there is always room for improvement for everyone. It should be everyone's common goal to be gracious and respectful of others, even in the heat of a debate, discussion or dispute.

Having said that, a resolution for a civility code within the city is only as good as the paper it's written on, just like the city charter. This same charter has been violated twice in the past two months by council members Bernardini, Lara Bradburn and David Pugh, with the blessing of City Attorney David LaCroix, to push their "new direction" for the city. Please keep in mind that Bernardini, Bradburn and Pugh originally voted to place police Chief Ed Tincher, Lt. Rick Hankins and human resources director Ron Baker on administrative leave, which was in violation of the charter. The second violation of the charter occurred when Bernardini, Pugh and Bradburn voted to underwrite any liability that may arise from the internal investigation by James Farley, an unlicensed investigator hired by the city. Their actions were in violation of the charter, which has a clause to indemnify the city against possible damage or loss as a result of one's actions.

The question is, who will be in charge of instituting this civility code? What happens when there is a perceived violation of this civility code? Will Ms. Bradburn call the Hernando County Sheriff's Office to have a deputy sit in on all future meetings to silence the public?

Anna Liisa Covell, Nobleton

Re: Next time, check school calendar March 19 letter to the editor:

Park, center open during break

Please pass along to your readers that Tom Varn Park and the Jerome Brown Community Center are NOT closed during spring break. However, we have closed the softball fields at these two locations for field maintenance.

I would like to apologize to Sherry Nettleton, who commented on Monday's Opinion page, and anyone else who may have misunderstood our intentions.

Mike Walker, director, Parks and Recreation, Brooksville

Brown-Waite shortchanges vets

The circumstances and situations that our wounded military members are being subjected to are absolutely deplorable. The hypocrisy of military generals and of members of Congress is exceeded only by that of the president and vice president. They declare how much they support the troops, how valuable the sacrifice of life and limb is in their fight against "terror," and then allow and condone their mistreatment when placed in medical care.

Right on the top rung of the ladder of hypocrisy is our own flag-waving, slogan-spouting, peace-bashing congressional representative, Virginia Brown-Waite. She continuously claims to be the righteous cheerleader for supporting the troops and supporting the war. She also supports sending the flag-covered caskets of our slain warriors home in the dark of night, forbidding the public the right to honor these brave souls under the guise of "respect to the family." Brown-Waite must certainly adhere to the Rove-Bush policy of "out of sight, out of mind."

She obviously also has supported the inadequate care our wounded are receiving, for to deny that she had knowledge of their treatment is to openly admit she has lied about doing everything she can for them.

I have no doubt she has a box full of medals that she is just jumping to present in front of some press photographer. Brown-Waite has shown time and time again that her words are hollow, that her actions are self-serving and that her ability to care is limited to her political career. How else can she continue to do the congressional two-step shuffle as our troops continue to suffer? She may try to deny the horror of battle and its aftermath; however, she cannot deny her complicity in the horror of this despicable treatment of our troops.

Bob E. Dodd, Dade City

[Last modified March 20, 2007, 00:10:06]