The week in words

By TIMES STAFF
Published August 19, 2007

"You remember, I had a disclaimer that the information may not be exact, but it will be close."

Blaise Ingoglia, spokesman for the "Government Gone Wild" series of seminars purporting to show waste in Hernando County government.

"We are not endorsing that presentation."

John Ehlenbeck, vice president of the Hernando County Chamber of Commerce's government affairs and education committees, on the group's unanimous vote not to back the "Government Gone Wild" project.

"That's not the way we like to do business with the county."

Harry Willett, president of the Hernando County Association of Realtors, which has also declined to support the presentation.

"I tell myself not to have any regrets because regrets won't bring him back."

Mike Lewis, an uncle of Spc. Cody Grater of Spring Hill, who was killed in Iraq recently.

"If it wasn't for THE Bus, I wouldn't be able to go anywhere. For disabled people like me, or for the people who don't drive or have a car, we'd be stuck at home all day long begging for rides."

Marion Kroeplin of Spring Hill, a frequent rider on THE Bus. The service's future is in question as the county looks for ways to trim spending.

"We have our own badges and little notebooks. It's all very official."

Maria Adams, who is helping to organize a Spring Hill chapter of the international group Daughters of the British Empire.

"We have an unequal distribution of our wealth in this county."

Dianne Bonfield of the Hernando County School Board, arguing for the need to spread out the programs now offered at the district's magnet schools.

"People need to understand that if you have to pay money to get money you're going to lose money."

Donna Black of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, on a recent scam that cost a local woman $3,500.

"I think they're a little embarrassed."

John Emerson, of the Hernando County Property Appraiser's Office, on the reluctance of the person who left a bag of popcorn in an office microwave oven for too long to step forward. The smoke set off alarms, forcing the evacuation of City Hall.

"We realize it's a unique place and a special place in Florida culture."

Sarah Williams of the state Department of Environmental Protection, which is considering taking over the Weeki Wachee Springs attraction. The agency would seek to preserve the park's amenities, including the mermaids.

[Last modified August 18, 2007, 20:39:47]