Today's Letters: Maybe you didn't think this through

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published August 19, 2007

County has a chance to protect black bears Aug. 13 editorial

In simple words, this deal stinks. I have no problem buying land to protect natural habitat at a reasonable price.

This property was purchased by the builder in December 2005 for less than $1-million. It is appraised by Property Appraiser Mike Wells and taxed by Tax Collector Mike Olson at $1-million as of November 2006.

The real estate market and new home sales are dead for 2007. Why are we, the taxpayers, giving a $3-million profit to this builder for doing nothing?

I think you should re-evaluate your opinion that the commissioners should endorse the acquisition.

Robert Simons, Port Richey

Fiorentino lacks true leadership

By any fair and informed measure, Heather Fiorentino does not deserve another term as superintendent of Pasco County schools. During her brief tenure, she has disregarded the authority of the School Board, ignored the contractual rights of thousands of district employees, and impulsively wagered millions of your dollars on an untested grand lockstep experiment (called LFS) involving every student, teacher and administrator) in our school system.

According to Fiorentino, every school employee is now a member of her own National Guard, and can be mobilized on her orders to man shelters and/or perform any other emergency duties she might identify. We do need thoughtful and effective emergency plans and services (that is why we have county government), but this self-made sheriff has no authority to deputize anyone.

And, if you are unhappy with the unintended consequences of the FCAT, wait until you see the unintended consequences that flow from LFS (Learning Focused Strategies). Your child is an involuntary subject in a radical districtwide experiment.

Her impulsive adaptation of a radical untested means to micromanage every academic breath teachers and students take won't change FCAT results. Why Johnny is functionally illiterate with a high school diploma in his hand is the result of demographics, politics and a culture of deliberate administrative misinformation. In her defense, those problems did not start with her. However, yet another everybody-lean-this-way multimillion-dollar miracle cure (LFS) won't bring about positive change.

Academic honesty, a focus on standards, valid and reliable assessment, an end to social (political) promotion and reasonable school discipline could.

We deserve professional (not political) educational leadership for Pasco County schools. Fiorentino has repeatedly demonstrated either deliberately, or through arrogant naivet, that she is incapable of providing that leadership.

F. Rydzik, New Port Richey

Help us find our stolen lawn trailer

How can we stop thieves from stealing personal property and getting away with it? We had a lawn trailer locked down with a heavy chain at a friend's business on State Road 52. Sometime after 6 p.m. Aug, 9, someone cut the chain and stole it. This is a grand theft offense.

If anyone out there has seen a trailer suddenly appear at a neighbor's or at a business, please come forward and call the Sheriff's Office. Our case number is 0749321.

The trailer is 6 feet by 10 feet with an aluminum box on the front, a cage on top and three racks on each side. We've never seen another one like it.

Teresa Stamey, Hudson

[Last modified August 18, 2007, 21:18:55]