Today's Letters: New beach would be boon to county

Re: Waterfront could generate income, Sept. 9 letter.

New beach would be boon to county

I agree with William Gilbert, who stated the unused Gulf of Mexico shoreline could become beautiful beaches for our county.

I have lived in Hernando since 1992 and have written to various county commissioners through the years regarding the lack of parking at Pine Island. I suggested that if the Swamp Fest can shuttle people to its event, it just might be possible for the county to run a shuttle bus to its only real beach. Since we now have THE Bus, I think it could become a reality.

While I realize there are many issues that are of greater importance, l do believe that this is something that should be addressed.

If the county cannot fund beaches along the Gulf, a private hotel chain might be interested. It would bring in much-needed tax dollars and put Hernando on the map. Hopefully the state will take over the running of Weeki Wachee Springs, as it did Homasassa Springs years ago, and, that, too, would be a boon for our economy.

Patricia Cameron, Weeki Wachee

State has sinkhole ombudsman help

At a time when the residents of Pasco and Hernando counties are finally being given a choice whether to carry sinkhole insurance at a significant reduction in premiums, it has been brought to my attention that local sinkhole law firms have begun soliciting homeowners who have expressed concern they may have a sinkhole on their property. The letter trumpets the many years of experience the firm has filing claims for their clients, as well collecting large settlements from insurance companies.

It is these very large settlements that have led to homeowners insurance premiums rising through the roof, not an increase in actual sinkhole formations.

What is stated in the letter is the fact that the law firm will first attempt to collect its fees from the insurance company. Ultimately, though, those fees will come out of whatever settlement the law firm may be able to make on a resident's behalf. Those fees will no doubt be substantial (perhaps up to 40 percent of the settlement). In many cases after those fees are paid there may not even be enough left to properly repair the home.

Rather than further enrich the law firms of sinkhole attorneys that target homeowners who are concerned about possible sinkholes, residents should first contact Florida's sinkhole ombudsman, David Fisher. At no cost, the Florida Department of Financial Services runs a program that will guide homeowners through the complicated maze of sinkhole claims. If, after exhausting all the resources available through the ombudsman's program, legal action is required, then so be it. But before anyone signs on the dotted line with a sinkhole attorney, please contact Florida's sinkhole ombudsman toll-free at 1 (800) 342-2762.

Mike Fasano, State senator District 11

Re: Stabins wants us to do dirty work Sept. 10 letter.

Writer should look at Citrus first

I'm writing this letter to let Chris Lloyd from Lecanto know who our county commission chairman, Jeff Stabins, is.

He was our state representative before he became a county commissioner. He studied politics in college and he is a very good teacher.

Next time you want to write or say something about our county officials, find out how your county commissioners are doing.

Leave our county commissioners alone. Care about your county, not ours.

Rachael Rodriguez, Spring Hill

Re: Bottled water clean, not green Sept. 8 column by Barbara Fredricksen

Bottled water is good for the body

Nestle Waters shares Fredricksen's concern for the environment and we are reducing our footprint.

Our new Eco-Shape&#8482 bottle has the least plastic content of any half-liter bottle currently on store shelves. Even though water bottles make up less than one third of 1 percent of the municipal solid waste that ends up in landfills, to really make a difference, we need progressive recycling programs that would keep a greater number of all plastic containers - regardless of what they contain - out of landfills.

One important point missing in the article is that bottled water is a calorie-free and easily accessible alternative refreshment to bottled sugared drinks. On average, Americans get 226 more calories a day from beverages than they did a generation ago, and the number of overweight and obese children is up an alarming 370 percent across the nation.

Americans need to drink more water, whether bottled or tap. Discouraging people from drinking bottled water can therefore have negative health impacts, especially when most of what Americans drink comes in bottles or cans.

Jane Lazgin, director Corporate communications Nestl Waters North America Greenwich, Conn.

Re: Tony and Anna Liisa Covell Sept. 9 Hometown Hernando.

Killing wild game for fun disgusting

I guess you may think everyone wants to read your article on bagging all those beautiful animals. We thought it was disgusting to see the picture of you with the dead gemsbok antelope.

Do you enjoy taking away the animals' lives so you can put them in your game room to show all your friends at your dinner parties?

Did it make you both feel a little better that Tony just went on a "green hunt" for the white rhino?

We don't think the roughest part of your trip was your 22-plus hours of flying; the roughest part was on those beautiful animals,

George & Connie Sendek, Brooksville

Your voice counts

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[Last modified September 13, 2007, 19:42:52]