Today's Letters: Think of them as teaching aids

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published July 10, 2007

Re: Memorials don't belong on corners June 29 letter to the editor

My husband and I have one for our daughter, who was killed in Ridge Manor by a drunk driver in 2000 at the age of 18. We put one up to remind people please, don't drink and drive, and that this could happen to them.

We have a cross with a red ribbon on it. We keep it clean and a new cross goes up every few years. Some people need that kind of reminder.

Lawilla Werner, Brooksville

Site of accident brings bit of peace

How unfortunate that the letter writer opposing roadside memorials does not understand what these memorials mean to friends and family.

My daddy was killed by a drunk driver some months ago. Yes, it is difficult to return to the accident site; but there is closure that did not happen at his funeral at the national cemetery. We were rushed out before anyone knew what was happening.

We erected a memorial at the accident site. My daddy's soul left his body at that place. We feel some peace at that spot.

We will continue to maintain the site until someone destroys it, and we may rebuild if that happens.

Susi Croft, Brooksville

Drivers don't need cell phones

On July 8 I was traveling home, heading south on U.S. 41. I was over in the right lane, which I always do to turn on Barnett Road. About 300 yards from the turn, a green van with a man driving came weaving from one lane and tried desperately to get in my lane. As I saw him coming I honked.

Whoever you are, talking on your cell phone, you are so lucky you did not cause a serious accident. I wish to God a police officer had seen you and caught up with you. I hope to God you also made it home without causing a serious accident to someone else or yourself. What the heck was your rush? And on U.S. 41?

I hope they ban those dumb cell phones while driving pretty soon.

D.L. Rowland, Brooksville

English option isn't a guarantee

I don't consider myself to be too much of a dummy. I have a master's degree and I am a retired U.S. Army officer who spent 35 years on active duty. Twenty-eight of those years were with the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

I have talked to and interviewed people all over the world and understood most of them, but recently I had an experience - not for the first time - that totally frustrated me.

To make a long story short, about three months ago I bought an expensive piece of equipment that suddenly went bad on me. I called the manufacturer to see what I could do about the problem. For 55 minutes I was placed on hold, listened to music and finally got to speak to five individuals about the problem. None of them could speak English well enough to answer any of my questions. I finally told one of them to e-mail me what I needed to do because I had no idea what he was trying to tell me.

My question is, why is it when we call one of these companies, the first instruction is "Push 1 if you want to speak in English ..." and when or if you finally get to talk to someone, that person does not speak or understand most of the language?

Bill Ambrose, Spring Hill

Thank you for recognizing work

Re: County losing capable employee July 5 letter to the editor.

Hernando County government has many dedicated employees who serve citizens in a remarkable manner every day. It is not often that I read letters to the editor acknowledging a county employee for his or her services, so I was thrilled when I read the letter from John W. Hornbuckle of Burnsville, N.C. He wrote about Robert Amison, who recently retired from the Planning Department after 31 years of dedicated service.

Although Mr. Hornbuckle got the last name wrong (easy mistake), it was obvious he was referring to Robert. I felt compelled to correct the error because Robert certainly is deserving of the kudos. Best wishes in your retirement, Robert. And thank you, Mr. Hornbuckle, for taking the time to acknowledge his work!

Brenda Frazier Community relations coordinator, Hernando County Commission

[Last modified July 9, 2007, 22:05:24]