Today's Letters: Give mudslinging official the boot

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published September 2, 2007

Dade City Commissioner Camille Hernandez's statements, or lack thereof, at the Aug. 28 city commission meeting are stunning in their arrogance. When asked by Commissioner Steven Van Gorden if she had any factual dispute with Mayor Hutch Brock's response to her allegations, she was silent and presented no additional facts.

When asked if she had filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics, as outlined in the statutes, she was silent. She was silent because filing a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics requires the accuser to swear that she believes her statements to be true. Mrs. Hernandez knows that her allegations are false but will not apologize or retract.

When asked if she planned on filing a complaint in the future, she offered up the explanation that "if you read it carefully, my letter was really a question, a request for guidance." She then made several more references to her letter as a "request" or a "question."

The letter (posted at www.recallcamille.com) is, by no means, a "request for guidance." It is simple mudslinging which is reinforced by the fact that she distributed it to the press when she mailed it to the governor.

It is time for Mrs. Hernandez to leave. Sign the petitions and vote her out of office.

Curtis Beebe, Dade City

In Rays country, drop the Yankees

The Yankee fan that had his flag burned thinks it is a Red Sox fan who did it. Can't these people realize that the Devil Rays fans hate the Yankee fans who live here but continue to show allegiance to a team over 1,000 miles away in a city where they no longer live?

We are fighting to keep our major league team here in Tampa Bay and the lack of support by people like this guy who live here and turn their back on the Rays while flaunting their allegiance to a team that has the nerve to broadcast its games here on radio is the last straw.

When the Yankees come as visitors, these idiots fill Tropicana Field and root against the home team. I lived 27 years in New York. My relatives are just like this guy.

I used to be a New Yorker. Now I'm a Tampa Bay person.

Don't these people realize that they are resented here?

Michael Mirra, Holiday

911 response looks excessive Aug. 29 letter

Don't slam our emergency help

The letter writer clearly has too much time on his hands to complain about the number of people who respond to someone's need for emergency help. He should consider with the growing epidemic of obesity in this nation that perhaps a larger person might need more than two people to assist in his/her care, transport and mobility to the ambulance and hospital. In this day and age you do not know what you will encounter on an emergency call and what a patient's needs might be.

I certainly commend Pasco County emergency personnel for responding promptly to my mother's emergency Aug. 7. She was unconscious and could not move. It took four or five men to help lift her limp body onto a gurney.

I suppose the writer complains to the authorities because his neighbor's grass has brown spots. Find a productive hobby because jumping to conclusions is not very healthy.

Susan Skoufatos, Port Richey

Exercise in this heat is dangerous Aug. 29 letter

Heat no problem; kids should sweat

In my opinion, it is completely exaggerated.

First of all, the writer states the children are "our most vulnerable citizens." I know lots of kids and none of them are weak, defenseless or helpless, and that's what vulnerable means.

Second consideration is obesity. How will an air-conditioned gym help overweight kids? They need to sweat and get their hearts pumping. We only get a short time to exercise on P.E. days anyway!

In the last paragraph, he says, "many of these children have physical problems and asthma." If students tell their coach about these conditions, the coach will put them in games that won't cause health problems. Plus, you're allowed to bring inhalers to P.E.

I noticed that he did not talk about recess and that's exactly the same thing in the same heat. The kids I know never choose to skip recess! I'm not against the writer wanting more money for schools. I just think that instead of spending the money on a gym, we could use that money for better education, such as for more field trips.

Actually, we're pretty lucky. Fifty years ago, kids didn't even have a covered shelter, just a field with no shade. P.E. today would be considered paradise for a student of 50 years ago.

Chance Belloise

Richey Elementary School, New Port Richey

Sad to see loss of seafood places

We've had two surprises in one month.

First, we were on a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Hong Kong and in the airline magazine we find Catches Waterfront Grill in Port Richey featured among the top six seafood restaurants in the country. What an honor!

Second, the news last week of Catches closing is shocking and sad! Further, the article mentions the demise of Leverock's, which everyone was hoping would return. We sure hope Catches Waterfront Grill can see its way to reopening.

Barbara and Harry Tadda, New Port Richey

[Last modified September 1, 2007, 21:03:26]