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Today's Letters: To help kids, change society

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 22, 2007

Beating trial: Why not guilty? March 18 story

So much has been said about Benjamin Jablon and the trouble he has gotten himself into, and so much negative has been said about his family. It is just amazing that people are so quick to point fingers and shut the door to other possibilities.

Yes, Benjamin had done wrong prior to this. And, yes, he was no angel. However, we have to look at the whole picture; stop pointing fingers at the family (you don't know how he was raised). Let us instead look at how we, as a society, can make changes for the better.

Unfortunately, our government has seen fit to try to raise our children. We aren't allowed to spank for fear we will be arrested. The kids today know this and act out. My own 12-year-old will look me straight in the eye and threaten to call social services if I touch her. Let's look at 50 years ago: Did we have such unthinkable acts as beatings for gang initiations? No! But, of course, spankings and appropriate punishments were allowed.

In today's world, kids play video games in which someone dies, they hit reset and "poof" they are alive again. Try explaining death to an 8-year-old when he just got finished playing "Crash Bandicoot" and intentionally fell into the water to turn into an ice cube. No concept of death, so death isn't real. Just press reset and start over.

I am tired of seeing all the finger-pointing and reading everyone's opinions. Let's just see if there is any way to salvage our children's lives and our future without wishing people harm.

If you are perfect, go ahead and throw stones. Otherwise, be a part of the positive and let's start to change things.

Pam Pritchett, Northridge, Calif.

In county nearby, overdevelopment

If anyone in this county is interested in what a county looks like when developers have a free rein, they have to go no farther than Pinellas County. Is this really what you want our county to look like?

Once a developer is allowed high-density housing, the courts have ruled that you cannot deny another developer the same right. Petitions mean nothing. We have a comprehensive plan and we should stick to it. If you have a business here and you feel there are not enough customers to give you a decent lifestyle, then move your business to where the customers are. Pinellas has millions of people who would just love your product or services.

Another place to check out is the Clermont area. Is this really what we want for Hernando?

Dennis Smith, Brooksville

Who profits, loses from fast growth?

I tend to be one of those peculiar folks who look on both sides of an issue and consider all the pros and cons. Here is my list in the case of overdevelopment:

Who among the residents in Hernando County would profit from development?

Initially landowners, either directly by selling their land, or others for whom the value of their land would increase.

The developers, of course, because that's the way they can make buckets of money.

Realtors, because they make money in the sale of land and also when houses are sold.

Money lenders, who provide the money to purchase the land to start with and then on all the mortgages on houses sold.

Builders and contractors who build the houses.

All those who provide landscaping, roads and utilities.

Indirectly, business owners who provide goods and services to all the new families, and the employees who work in these businesses.

Local government employees, e.g. police officers, clerks and teachers to serve the expanding population.

Maintenance employees.

Now, let's list those who would suffer.

All of those who pay taxes, directly or indirectly for all the required new infrastructure and support personnel. (Impact fees rarely cover the costs, especially long-term.)

Everyone who has to put up with the increased congestion on the county's roads.

Those who suffer from the increased deaths and injuries as the roads and streets become more crowded.

Those who cannot afford to find affordable housing in the county because of (a) increased land and housing costs, (b) higher taxes (for schools, etc.), much higher insurance costs, and (c) those who work in the typically, unfortunately relatively lower-paying support jobs.

Those who have to live in the new crowded subdivisions.

Those who actually prefer pleasant environments where you cannot reach out and touch both your own and your neighbor's homes simultaneously.

As, for me. I go along with Mr. Douglas of Green Acres: "Just give me that countryside!"

A. Keith Furr, Brooksville

Driver's tailgating endangers others March 18 letter to the editor

Where are police to stop tailgaters?

I just read the letter by Loretta Pizzo and I agree with everything she said. It is becoming a danger zone, and it certainly is getting worse.

I am getting sick of the way these drivers are driving. I think it is so wrong to tailgate another driver's bumper. I learned to drive the right way. Maybe the ones who tailgate didn't have a long lesson on driving. There are people who would like to stay safe on the roads, especially on State Road 50.

Where are the police, when this is going on?

Deborah Rowland, Brooksville

Pet expo found homes for many

I did not see an article on the very successful 3rd Annual Nature Coast Pet Expo in your paper on Monday.

Considering that your newspaper helped sponsor this wonderful adoption expo, I am truly surprised you did not write about it.

Tom Varn Park was a great place for pets - mostly dogs - and their people last Saturday and Sunday, and many folks were there to adopt a homeless dog or cat into their family.

On behalf of Dixie Dachshund Rescue, I want to thank the Humane Society for its wonderful work finding homes for needy dogs and cats and for inviting other rescuers to participate.

Renate Bauer, Brooksville

Editor's note: The Times did not send a reporter to the pet expo, but a story and photos were published in advance to inform our readers of the event.

Your voice counts

We welcome letters from readers for publication. To send a letter from your computer, go to www.tampabay.com/letters and fill in the required information. Type your letter in the space provided on the form, specify that you are writing the Hernando section of the newspaper, and then click "submit." You also may cut and paste a letter that you have prepared elsewhere in your computer.

If you prefer, you may fax your letter to (352) 754-6133, or mail it to: Letters to the Editor, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613.

All letters should be brief and must include the writer's name, city of residence, mailing address and telephone number. When possible, letters should include a handwritten signature. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed. The Times does not publish anonymous letters.

Letters may be edited for clarity, taste, length and accuracy. We regret that not all letters can be printed.

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 20:14:50]