Today's Letters: Beebe has no right to stop recall

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published September 25, 2007

Organizer pulls plug on recall Sept. 19 story

At the start of this effort, Harold Sample told us not to do this for him or for Mayor Hutch Brock, but only if it is best for the city. I took him at his word about that, and that is precisely why neither he nor Mr. Brock has the authority to call it off.

Curtis Beebe owes it to those who signed the petition to follow through. If they want, they can call it off by submitting the appropriate forms to revoke their signatures.

If they don't do that, then this must move forward. Otherwise, Mr. Beebe is unilaterally disenfranchising all of us who signed the petition of our right to pursue the recall of an official who we don't want in office.

If Mr. Beebe no longer wants to support this effort, that is his decision to make. If he likes, he can revoke his own signature calling for the recall. But if so, he should please just step aside and don't try to stop what he doesn't have a right to stop.

Norman Carey,Dade City

Politics to blame for cash crunch? Sept. 22, story

Boards should split for kids' sake

The Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition under the leadership of Lisa Hammond and two misguided and inept executive directors destroyed the coalition's credibility in Pasco County.

The only politics in this case was their own. The coalition's leadership should have changed and admissions made as to poor decisions that were wrought on Pasco children due to outside agency influence.

Sen. Mike Fasano was wrong to pull legislation that would have separated the coalitions. George Magrill is absolutely correct when he says the coalition reaped what it sowed.

The boards need to split so Pasco can regroup and take care of its children.

Marc J. Yacht, Hudson

Louise Hinkley deserved better Sept. 21, letter

It's time to take responsibility

It is time the three letter writers got their heads out of the sand. They sat there at the Sept. 15 special meeting and refused to hear the grievance complaints, not only about Louise Hinkley, but the other two elected officers of the club: Joan Levinson, vice president, and Susan McGuigan, secretary.

As charter members of the club, why didn't one of them take the treasurer position? Why did they not insist that proper financial records be kept and reported to the membership? How can they say the club has shown growth when the membership was grossly overstated?

Louise Hinkley's "honest mistakes" were pointed out, and she willfully chose to repeat them. She also thought she could bully and intimidate the treasurer and force her to quit or join in her dishonesty. We are not talking about "silly bickering" here; we are talking about noncompliance with club bylaws and Florida statutes.

Wake up and take some responsibility for the club. I did when I filed a formal grievance.

Jean Cifelli, New Port Richey

Sidewalks will benefit all of us

More sidewalks in Beacon Woods? Why not?

All Beacon Woods residents should take the county's help and accept adding sidewalks on Clocktower Parkway. The county and Wal-Mart are putting up the money to build them, to accommodate not only Beacon Woods residents, but also all members of the public.

When Wal-Mart Supercenter opens its doors at the beginning of next year, we are very sure this community will have more traffic, more people walking and more bike riders. Therefore, we will have to learn how to keep the traffic moving without adding new lanes and how to make our busy roads safe for bike riders and walkers.

With people aging and facing mobility challenges, our community should look for ways to help residents get around safely.

We should accomplish all this with wide sidewalks, flowered medians, signs, flashing lights and more. After all, walking and biking are forms of transportation. When the residents walk out their doors, their streets and sidewalks should be their options. Do we want to drive, walk or ride a bike safely?

Changing our streets, adding sidewalks and bike lanes is an issue that touches on livability and community for everyone.

Ignacio and Olga Rodriguez, Bayonet Point

Fasano wrong on sinkhole coverage

Contrary to Sen. Mike Fasano's many recent comments about sinkholes not existing, quite the opposite is true in Pasco County.

There is a reason Pasco is the "sinkhole claim capital" and it is because it has the most sinkholes. Whether or not homeowners continue coverage, one thing is certain: Sinkholes will continue to occur.

Homeowners should be advised to continue their coverage because not to do so only leaves coverage for the rare occurrence where there is a complete collapse, which occurs in less than 1 percent of all cases. Not having coverage will diminish the value of their home. Also, their mortgage holder may require coverage.

It is amazing to me how little the public understands this issue. Insurance and real estate agents do not understand and are of little help. Fasano's misinformation will only hurt the very folks he is supposed to be protecting. A better solution would be to reform the property insurance industry in Florida, but that would require courage from all of our legislators.

I believe Fasano has backed himself into a position he cannot extricate himself from.

When he realized the current insurance law that was passed in special session was a disaster for his district, he changed his tune and called it "choice."

His advice to homeowners to drop their coverage is cynical and not supported by the facts. He is putting lipstick on a pig.

John Watson, Brooksville

Pit bulls are a danger; ban them now Sept. 12, guest column We must get rid of dogs bred to kill Sept. 23, letter

Mistreatment of breed is problem

The letter writer suggests that all pit bullterriers be banned or killed. I agree that these dogs should not be available to own. But not for the reasons people may expect. No breed in history has been so violently tortured, beaten, starved, unloved, untrained and killed when it loses a fight. The atrocities set upon these dogs show the worst in humans.

The pit bull was brought to America by immigrants in the 19th century. They were bred to hunt, drive livestock, protect farms, and they were not violent with people. This breed so loves humans the dogs will willingly perform any task asked of it. The breed was first recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1898. A dog named Bennett's Ring was the first so honored. A pit bullterrier was the top honored dog in World War II. Today, they participate in many UKC events.

I ask, considering the crime, money ($100,000 or more can be bet) and drugs attached to the fights, what other breed of dog will eventually take its place?

Four years ago in Los Angeles, a Pomeranian killed a baby when the adult left the room. Cocker spaniels and small poodles cause morehospital visits for dog bites. All dogs and cats are predators.

Diane Browning, New Port Richey

Pitbulls are a danger; ban them now Sept. 12, guest column

Banning pit bulls not the answer

This is in response to Mary Kousathanas' thoughts on the ownership of pit bullterriers and how they should be banned.

First, I would like to state my sorrow for the people who have experienced any harm by these dogs. I am an owner of a lovable, red-nose pit bull, along with four other dogs. She is loving and I consider her an example of man's best friend.

Hopefully, people who read Mary's commentary didn't consider it 100 percent accurate, because it is not. The media loves pit bull stories, even though a lot of times the vicious dogs they are describing are not even pit bulls.

Mary also says that 30 percent of dog attacks are pit bulls. Which dogs cover the other 70 percent? Poodles? Dachshunds? Shih Tzus? If dog bites are such a problem, why don't we just outlaw all dogs? Then we will be completely safe. To outlaw such a loving animal is crazy. She mentions that some cities like Miami and Denver have actually done this and that we should follow suit.

What Mary doesn't know is that the dogs are not the reason for them being outlawed. The reason is because of the owners who fight the dogs, gamble and indulge in the drug-induced atmosphere that dog fighting brings. She also mentions we are not allowed to keep tigers as pets because of their vicious nature, so it is only reasonable to do the same with pit bulls. What? There is so much wrong with that statement. For one thing tigers are huge, not domesticated, and keeping them would just be cruel. Pit bulls are domesticated, smart and love people.

I doubt Mary has had any contact with these beautiful animals. She has been misinformed by the media, and I hope others who read her ridiculous statements are not.

Billy Russell, Spring Hill

Pitbulls are a danger; ban them now Sept. 12, guest column

No bad dogs, just bad owners

Mary Kousathanas wrote that Florida should ban all pit bullterriers, citing times people have been bitten. I don't know of any breed that has not bitten someone. Why not ban all dogs?

How many of these bit because of children teasing the dog? There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.

To ban all because of some, not even knowing the circumstances, is overkill (pun intended).

Also remember, people's property is private and there should be no trespassing.

Some people who don't have a dog have signs "Beware of Dog" just to keep unwanted visitors away. And, yes, keep your dogs away from other dogs when out walking them. It's common sense.

George Massey, Spring Hill

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[Last modified September 24, 2007, 22:37:22]