Today's letters: Clinic for addicts gets cold shoulder

Clinic for addicts gets cold shoulder June 28 story

Grae stirred up misinformation

Sadly, a large group of needlessly fearful Port Richey residents was misled with misinformation and rounded up to appear at the City Council meeting by ex-council member Phyllis Grae, who led the protest against PAR's moving into an existing commercial building on Washington Street.

These residents were misled into believing that they could do something to prevent it and they were not educated, as they should have been, about PAR, its programs and the fact that the most serious infraction associated with PAR clients in their previous location was a broken window. They were also not informed that the city legally granted a permit to PAR and that, legally, there was no need to inform residents prior to the granting per code permits, nor anything that the city or its residents could do to prevent it.

The city would have violated the law and the rights of PAR if it had done otherwise. Certainly, ex-council member Grae knows these facts.

I understand the residents' concerns, based on the fact that they were manipulated and misinformed. The "not in my back yard" mentality can be prevented with education and complete facts. Ms. Grae should have educated people about zoning and the legal rights of individuals to occupy spaces despite the preferences of the public, instead of provoking fear and panic. She should have also facilitated PAR's educating these misled citizens about PAR, its programs and its successes.

Was this an early Grae campaign effort for the next election after her recent loss? If so, I think that Ms. Grae should change her tactics and avoid instilling unnecessary, unfounded fear and panic among the citizens through her manipulation.

Alene Burke, Port Richey

Cause is noble but location is wrong

It is certainly in society's best interest to provide treatment for those addicted to drugs and alcohol. However, methadone clinics don't belong in residential neighborhoods.

As noted in the article, Operation Parental Awareness and Responsibility (PAR) has been located in a strip mall for 10 years and has experienced few problems at this location. So why not look for another strip mall location? No, they would rather move a clinic that has 550 active patients to a residential neighborhood.

The citizens of Washington Street have every right to be concerned about safety and home values. For an organization that teaches responsibility, you are certainly not acting responsible.

Dennis DeSalvo, New Port Richey

Clinic deserves its bad reputation

If everything was so great there then why wasn't Operation PAR's lease renewed? Let's face the facts. The clinic has a bad reputation and moving on Washington Street isn't going to help them or us. We know they need help but not among homes where anything can - and more than likely, will - happen.

I bet the stores in the center are counting the days until they leave. It would be nice to believe that all the people who need help just go and get their dose and leave, but they don't. If you don't believe me go see for yourself.

A word to the people on Washington Street: Don't give up. We haven't lost the fight yet.

Judy Parisi, Port Richey

Neighbors may object, but methadone clinic belongs July 1 C.T. Bowen column

Neighbors are right to object

I am so glad that you took the time to take a drive down Washington Street. Yes, it has its share of problems, as you rightly pointed out.

The trash along the roadside is left there by the speeding traffic, which you also pointed out. But what is being done about this problem? The answer: zero. It's a problem that is set to get much bigger if the figures that you mention are correct (550 active patients traveling to the clinic).

Yes, our homes are modest, and yes, we are normal working folk. But fearful of change? No. Anyone who lives on Washington Street will tell you that we are all for change here, but what we want is change for the better, not for the worse!

One of the changes for the better has come with the investment and development of the land on Washington Street right next to the proposed clinic. This area was once a notorious spot for drug-related problems. Now it seems that the city of Port Richey wants to bring back the very problems that have for the most part gone from this area over the last two years.

There are some 200 homes under construction at this time. Is this investment a waste of time? Will anyone want to buy a new home next door to a methadone clinic?

We do understand that some people have problems in their lives and need professional help, and for this there needs to be facilities to provide this help. Neither are we suggesting that Operation PAR is a fly-by-night operation. What we do not understand is why it has to be in a predominately residential area. A house sits only feet away from where the clinic parking lot will be. In it lives an elderly lady who has lived there many years. She will be waking seven days a week to the sound of cars coming and going from 5 a.m. every day. Yes, there are other medical offices here, but there is a big difference in having a primary care facility that operates normal hours of service, and a methadone clinic in your neighborhood.

The facility is currently housed in a public plaza away from residential areas, and in our opinion, rightly suited to the location. Maybe it is not in the job description of city officials to notify us but we all do things that are not in our job descriptions. It's called "doing the decent thing." We have a newsletter each month; no mention there. Why, if it is such a good idea? I think we all know the answer.

It is easy to criticize an issue when it does not affect your life, Mr. Bowen, but let me ask you this: Do you have a methadone clinic on your street? Would you be happy for your elderly relative to be alone next door to such a facility? I think we know the answer! If you do not understand our promise to fight this, then yes, we are offended.

Julie Nurse, Port Richey

For many, clinic has been lifesaver

I just read the article concerning the relocation of the Operation PAR methadone clinic in Port Richey. I have to say I am appalled at the reaction of people who live in the area where the clinic will be opening.

I have lived in Port Richey all my life, and I have to say that in the area of Washington Street I myself would welcome a clinic that is helping people who recognize their addiction to beat it. I have seen vagrants, active addicts and overall criminal elements all around this town and Washington Street is not exempt.

I am not ashamed to say that I am a client of PAR and this place has done me nothing but good. I became addicted to painkillers because of multiple surgeries to my back. I did not rob people to get my pills. I am not a threat to anyone's children. In fact, I am a father. People who attend PAR are fathers, mothers, someone's child and someone's wife or husband.

Why is it people who are lucky enough not to experience addiction or have a loved one who is an addict feel that all addicts are criminals? This is not so. We are a diversified people from all walks of life: We are poverty-stricken, we are middle class and we are even wealthy. We are black, white, Hispanic, male, female, young and old. We are people just like the people who are doing nothing but complaining that we want and need help.

Operation PAR has given us this help. The nurses, doctors, counselors and yes, even the receptionists who meet and greet every one of us sometimes every morning. No nurse would ever allow someone having a bad day to drive away if they were not able to do so. Never have I ever seen anyone dealing drugs in or around the clinic. I think if anyone ever tried they would be met by some really angry recovering addicts.

Your neighborhood will not change. Your kids are not in danger. If anything, a group of recovering addicts would help keep the dealers out of your neighborhood. Please, people, stop complaining. Just thank God that you or your kids don't ever have to go through what we have. This clinic saved my life and the lives of many other people just like me.

Joe Everhart, New Port Richey

FCAT, No Child hurt our schools

I congratulate the schools that earned A's and B's, but only a handful accomplished AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) and that's the rub. Many schools are facing sanctions, which means that schools with the most difficulties may lose needed student resources or face drastic restructuring.

I am frustrated that School Board members and the superintendent refuse to stand up and clarify how wrongheaded the FCAT and the No Child Left Behind demands are, and how they are undermining our public school system. Blaming teachers and principals for lack of student progress continues to prove unrealistic and requires understanding of all the issues that block successful learning.

Putting positive spin on this recent progress is pure hypocrisy.

Marc J. Yacht, Hudson

[Last modified July 3, 2007, 09:39:26]