Today's Letters: Give firefighters fair wage, benefits

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 28, 2007

So, what will it take to make sure that our men and women who serve this county get a fair shake? The deputies want gap insurance for retirees, a change in their appeals process, and a way to send union mail. That does not sound too far out of reach.

What do the Pasco County Fire Rescue men and women want? Fair wages and affordable health-care coverage. I am ashamed and angry that citizens in this county are not calling their commissioners and asking why this is so hard to do.

How much are they worth to you? When does it become important to you? It should be now, not at 2 a.m. when you call 911 for an emergency. If we allow the county commissioners to continue to underpay and understaff our most important resources, the people will not be here when we need them. They will continue to leave for better jobs, leaving the county even more understaffed and the remaining resources stretched critically thin.

Pasco County: Remember the large brush fires in North Florida earlier this year? Who fought them? Who put their lives on the line to make sure that property and lives were saved? Those fires could have been here, and we have had large brush fires in the past.

And remember South Carolina. Nine firefighters lost in a fire, just doing what they are paid to do.

How much are they worth when they are there to pull the child from the water, when they arrive at the house fire, and when they try to save a family member whose heart has stopped?

Laura Smith, New Port Richey

Cheating at test a clear moral issue

I have been a special education teacher in Pasco County for over 25 years. I do have some concerns about the FCAT, and specifically its application to the special needs students I serve. Having said that, I would never compromise my integrity by knowingly helping my students cheat on the test.

I love my students and do everything in my power to help them learn. It is my job, my duty, my passion. This issue shouldn't be reduced to an argument about the validity of the FCAT. It is about fundamental values, honor and trust. Cheating violates those principles.

In a world with so much ambiguity, this is a concrete black and white issue. Our profession deserves better, our students deserve better and our community should demand better!

Sclena Brantley, Port Richey

Utility's water has foul smell

I have read about the problems customers of Aloha Utilities have had for several years. I have always felt lucky that I have never had to deal with such problems with my utility company.

However, I have now moved into an apartment that is serviced by this poor excuse for a utility company. I have never smelled such foul odors coming out of a water faucet. No matter what I do, the water continues to smell more like something you flush away rather than something that flows out of a tap.

I have contacted my landlord only to be told that it is an ongoing problem and that the utility company is unwilling or unable to solve it. How is it possible that a company with such poor customer service and an even poorer product can be allowed to continue to operate?

Neil French, New Port Richey

Why ask public to help sextuplets?

Virtually every day you read of a family's misfortune, a fire, a death, some kind of disaster. I've noticed a trend after these articles in which there are addresses or specific banks listed so that if anyone would like to donate or help, they can.

An article regarding the Byler family, however, takes the cake. This couple already has a beautiful, healthy little girl. They made a conscious decision to enlarge their family, with fertility drugs no less, and now they are expecting sextuplets.

Despite the baby shower, just given with 40 people attending, there will be yet another one. "The Mom's Club is throwing a huge baby shower at the end of July that will be open to the public. All the proceeds will go toward helping the Bylers support their growing family."

I find it truly appalling that donations are being asked from total strangers for something that is clearly not a tragedy. In a recent article, Karoline Byler said she was hoping for girls so that they would wear matching big sister/little sister outfits from Gymboree. Is this where the proceeds from the public are going to go? Now that would be a tragedy.

As the miracle of birth unfolds and this time there will be six tiny miracles, I hope and pray they all will be healthy and normal. That will be my contribution.

Patty Marconi, New Port Richey

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[Last modified June 27, 2007, 21:39:44]