Today's Letters: Don't cut public safety to save cash

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published August 17, 2007

Don't cut public safety to save cash

The commissioners have a difficult problem to deal with the needs of a growing county and increasing crime rates while accommodating the mandated state cut in property taxes.

But public safety must have a higher priority. The Sheriff's Office is woefully understaffed at present and his well-documented budget request deserves more than a 15-minute thought process.

And the sheriff needs to be more flexible in consolidating duplicative functions such as purchasing and motor vehicle maintenance to improve efficiencies in county government.

William F. Humphrey ,Trinity

A uniform statement for learning Aug. 10, Andrew Skerritt column

Uniforms put all kids at same level

I just had to let Mr. Skerritt know that I stand behind uniforms for all school grades. I never had to wear them, but I put two children through school, plus I have a grandson starting at Springstead High School this year, and through the years I've seen a lot happen with clothes in the school.

As a professional woman, I know teaching students about appearance along with education only gives them a better chance at a good position in the workplace. When there is peer pressure, the only thing that matters is how you look and being accepted.

Uniforms put all on a level playing field.

Free spirits better think twice as to what they are teaching their kids: Rebellion against authority is taking over our country, and they are hurting their kids by allowing them to think everyone must bow to their wishes.

If it takes uniforms to get them to understand their studies, then uniforms it is.

Jan Lesser, Spring Hill

NRA's voice heard with cash Aug. 10, letter

NRA simply protects our right

The letter writer's tirade against the NRA and his false reading of Article II, Second Amendment, needs a response.

It reads: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." What part of this is not clear as to citizens being able to protect themselves from the state or individuals? The NRA protects that right.

My support for the NRA, the Second Amendment and gun ownership is a message to the letter writer and his ilk: "Don't tread on me!"

If the writer prefers to rely on incompetent and protectionless governmental entities for his personal security, then so be it. I prefer self-reliance!

Roger Joseph Colucci, Spring Hill

Right to bear arms still intact Aug. 14 letter

Militia has right to bear arms

As usual, proponents on one side of an issue give only the facts that benefit their argument. The referenced letter is a perfect example.

The writer states, "The Second Amendment clearly states: 'the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.' " Sorry, but the amendment begins, "In order to maintain a well regulated militia."

The Founding Fathers were very careful in their wording of the Constitution and those first seven words of the Second Amendment have meaning. To paraphrase former Chief Justice Warren Berger, how can a government regulate a militia if its members are not allowed to keep and bear arms? If Jefferson, Franklin, et al, wanted all citizens to keep and bear arms they would have simply stated that.

Given this country's abysmal record on gun-related deaths vs. other industrial nations that have stricter gun-control laws, perhaps the Founding Fathers worded that amendment correctly.

James A. Somma, New Port Richey

Scout troop good idea for area

At the Aug. 8 Board of Directors meeting of the Beacon Woods Civic Association, president Ann Bunting, (a Pasco County GOP Leader) apparently scuttled any attempt to establish a Boy Scout troop that would meet in the Beacon Woods Civic Center .

A forward-thinking board member, Bob Ryan, had suggested this noble cause since many new and younger families, with young boys, are buying homes in our community. Back in the '70s, a Boy Scout troop did in fact exist in Beacon Woods. Apparently there is a need for this type of activity here.

Bunting cited liability concerns even though the Boy Scouts have a $4-million liability policy for troops in addition to the civic association's coverage. She stated that the association's attorney John Renke also advised against such a group being established in Beacon Woods. One could wonder who advises who and where does the voice of supportive board members and owners with young children come into play?

Bunting stated that she is against the Boy Scouts since they discriminate against homosexuals and atheists, and that the Scouts must have a belief in a supreme being in order to belong. What a crime against humanity, that a group wants their members to have a belief in God. Could it be that she is a closet ACLU supporter, too?

She cited that a local Scout leader was arrested recently for unlawful sexual contact with Scouts in his charge. She appears to wrap all Scout leaders in a blanket of immoral activity when the Scouts utilize a national criminal checking system to identify problem people.

Since former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, a Republican, was outed, and Duke Cunningham, also a Republican, had to quit Congress in disgrace, why doesn't Mrs. Bunting quit the Republican Party since she is such an upstanding icon of righteousness and morality. She can't have it both ways.

And finally, what is wrong with considering legal counsel's advice and then accepting risk and trying a program that has benefited young men for 100 years?

Daniel M. Meahl, Bayonet Point

Hundred of kids given supplies

Projects of Pasco proudly announces our successful distribution of school supplies to 627 poverty bound children representing 268 fully registered families. Each of these precious children, also served by Toys for Tots of East Pasco, received a new book bag overflowing with recommended supplies of paper, pencils, notebooks and other essential school related items.

Our distribution was held in the cafeteria at Wesley Chapel Elementary school. The school supplies were donated by our caring community and were distributed by a host of cheerful volunteers. Many of these outstanding volunteers also assist our program during our Toys for Tots Christmas toy distribution.

A great deal of credit for this year's successful distribution goes to Anna Fulk, the founder of the Projects of Pasco, a new local nonprofit corporation. She is a gifted organizer, and did an outstanding job of coordinating this year's awe-inspiring event.

After three years experience conducting our school supply distribution, an off shoot of Toys for Tots of Pasco, we have learned much. We now have a firm understanding of the process, and a proven "distribution model" to offer to other interested communities that might seek to replicate our efforts. Next year, with the support of key community residents, we hope to expand our operations to include additional school supply distributions for Dade City, Zephyrhills and Land O' Lakes.

We sincerely wish to thank all our many community donors, our volunteers, and our benefactors. Together, we shall seek to level the playing field for Pasco children living in the bitter clutches of abject poverty.

God bless one and all and here's hoping our community's poverty bound children have a very successful school year!

Bob Loring, East Pasco Toys for Tots

First possible hurricane could form Aug. 13, story

Storm forecasters sit in ivory towers

Like the ancient mariners peering through their telescopes while standing tall in their crow's nests atop their sailing ships, our modern weathermen are peering at their computer screens while sitting low in their chairs within their ivory towers.

The difference is, simply, that the ancients were looking for the safety of land, while our modern-day marvels are looking for the danger of storms.

The sailors really wanted to know that land was in sight. They were tired and hungry.

We, on the other hand, are rested and well fed (are we ever) and do not want to know that a storm - a possible storm, mind you - is 3,600 miles from Florida. (My son lives closer than that and he's a bigger problem.)

As if their life's purpose is to scare us, these forecasters add that similar systems are lined up behind this tropical disturbance.

Why, why, in the midst of suffocating heat and humidity, why are they telling us, effectively, "If you think your life is miserable now, just wait till this sucker comes roaring into town"?

You have to wonder what the mariners did to the bloke in the crow's nest who thought he saw land and land never appeared.

Ah, relish the thought.

Jack Bray, Dunedin

[Last modified August 16, 2007, 21:33:09]