Today's Letters: Resort would ruin life for residents

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published August 19, 2007

Re: Plans for golf resort hit pause Aug. 14, story

Regarding plans for a resort at Oak Hill Golf Course was incomplete, the complaints from residents at the Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting were numerous and not limited to using existing water retention areas to build additional homes, as the article seemed to indicate. James DeMaria's plans require a zoning change for this community that would significantly alter our lifestyle, which was the reason we bought in this area, i.e., serenity, beautiful views and public golf at a reasonable rate.

The residents do not oppose improving the golf course or building a new clubhouse, which is far overdue. Those two improvements alone should improve the profitability of the operation.

However, building a hotel is strongly opposed by a majority of the residents. Putting up buildings that obstruct views, noise, saving tee times for hotel guests, significantly raising green fees (as indicated by the owner), increasing traffic on Northcliffe and Deltona boulevards, and moving the maintenance building to a new location, which affects the pristine view of some of the homes, are among the concerns of residents.

Mr. DeMaria has been insensitive to the concerns of the residents by not holding meetings and in insulting remarks that have been attributed to him.

Finally, a big question remains: What if he is permitted to try this, invests large sums and fails? What happens then to our golf course community?

Not to be forgotten in all of this is the condition of Deltona Boulevard and the proximity of Fox Chapel Middle School; it would be folly to increase traffic in this area now.

Transforming Oak Hill Golf Course into a resort would be a disaster waiting to happen.

Paul Cosmadelis, Spring Hill

Re: Don't confuse war with freedom Aug. 9, letter

Volunteers need college, not war

Laura Smith's letter is absolutely correct and I would also like to point out that we have a volunteer military.

After one volunteers, accepts and perhaps spends part of the "down payment" on the enlistment bonus, it's not very easy to get out.

It's unfortunate that many who volunteer are so young. Eighteen-year-olds should be thinking about college. We need to make more scholarships available so young Americans would not be so tempted by the recruiter's promises.

The billions spent on this war could help a lot of young people build wonderful lives, rather than risking death in a war that is clearly not for our freedom.

Doris Taylor, Brooksville

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[Last modified August 18, 2007, 20:50:25]