News

Today's Letters: What about the unsolved deaths?

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published July 25, 2007

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Much has been printed lately in the Times about Hernando County Sheriff's Office deputies landing themselves in unflattering positions. I am wondering why more stories are not appearing asking Sheriff Richard Nugent why there are still four unsolved murders in Hernando County in the first six months of 2007?

We judge law enforcement agencies in how well they solve, prosecute and convict violent crimes such as murder. Since Sheriff Nugent recently stated that a zero budget increase, as a result of property tax cuts, would make residents of Hernando County less safe, it would be pertinent to say we already are less safe with four killers running loose.

With all the recent attention paid to the regrettable death of Deputy Michael Stegner, and the demotion of Lt. Craig Baxley, it seems that apprehending murderers has taken a back seat to other, equally important matters.

Joe Pratl, Spring Hill

 

Stand up to turn down new map

Re: Maps bring confusion, cost July 22 story

I have a friend who lives less than a mile from me. We are north of State Road 50 in an area known for its large deposits of sand and elevations of 100-plus feet. She went to get a permit to repair her roof. At that time she was told she could not do more than a 50 percent upgrade on her home, as she was in a flood zone.

Please! A flood zone at least 8 miles from the nearest water, the Weeki Wachee River! What next?

I lived through the flood season in 1960 as a Pinellas County resident. My dad had to wade through waist-deep water to deliver the Times. I also lived through a 100-year event in 1974, in what would become the New Tampa area. We had to canoe back to our house for two weeks because the water would not recede. I made very sure when I relocated from Pinellas I would not have to deal with floods.

This is more than ridiculous. And, as my friend opined, who can plan to make money on homes that now cannot be sold without a disclaimer that they are in a flood zone? One where water does not stand at any time? Believe me, I have been at her home and mine during hurricanes and we had no water standing anywhere on our properties. We can't even keep water in our garden soil without adding material to it to hold water.

There is a meeting to determine final approval for these maps on Aug. 6 at the library on Spring Hill Drive. I think it is time we all started standing up for what is fair and appropriate. We still have a county commission that approves developments in sinkhole areas and allows for overbuilding, which are major factors in flooding problems anywhere. We need to make them aware of who they need to stand up for. Not the developers and the government agencies, but the citizens who hired them with their votes.

Cynthia Ryalls-Clephane, Brooksville

 

Publix refuses found dog flier

I went to the Publix supermarket on Mariner Boulevard in Spring Hill to post a "found dog" flier and was told that Publix does not allow the public to post fliers, etc. I am so disappointed. What better place than a local Publix to place a lost or found ad? Our local supermarkets are the center of our communities. Why can't Publix find a way to accommodate a public message board?

I was able to place the ad on a small board in the Sweetbay store right across the street. That also is where I will be doing all of my grocery shopping.

Michele Fay, Spring Hill

 

Time to update Deltona roadway

Re: County delays roads projects July 18 story.

After reading the article about some of us having to wait longer for repairs/widening to be accomplished, I have to wonder if anyone from the roads department has taken a ride down Deltona Boulevard recently. Turning onto Deltona from Spring Hill Drive is a "hold on to the bottom of your car" experience, and the rest of the road isn't much better.

For three years in a row, a friend has called the roads department to find out when Deltona Boulevard will be repaired/rewidened, and each time was told "next year." Now all we hear about is Elgin Boulevard, County Line Road and Barclay Avenue.

I feel that Deltona Boulevard is traveled at much the same traffic flow as the above roads and should be, at least, repaired before we find car parts lying in the intersection. If you don't believe me, turn onto Deltona Boulevard from either direction of Spring Hill Drive and see for yourself. When school's open, it's going to be worse.

Sandra Bock, Spring Hill

 

Wal-Mart is taking over area

Hernando County has become a joke, and Paul Wieczorek, who handles comprehensive plan issues for the county, is the court jester.

Wal-Mart (yeah, them again), in its quest to make a monopoly in this county, now wants to put up a store in the most unlikely spot of all, Mariner Boulevard and County Line Road. The antiquated two-lane road is rated "F" for failure now.

Wieczorek takes glee in saying the comp plan, 24 years old, was not yet in place, so this proposed property is exempt from rules requiring adequate roads be in place to serve new development.

Can you believe such a statement? Wieczorek has questionable reasoning.

The county commission has the safety and well-being of the citizens as its only concern. A 24-year-old comprehensive plan has no bearing on today and should be disposed of.

Any tricks to use the comp plan for the profits of Wal-Mart, at our expense, should be a court battle. Put it on the docket, delay for a few years, ask for a trial by a jury of 12, which is our right by law, as no one judge should be asked to make such an awesome ruling concerning the safety and well-being of thousands of residents.

Three Wal-Mart Supercenters are in Hernando County now. I don't see a magnet that says "Wal-Mart only in Hernando," or worse yet, Spring Hill.

Florida is big. Hey, how about China? Everything else goes there!

George Massey, Spring Hill

[Last modified July 24, 2007, 22:09:24]

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