The week in words

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 7, 2007

Editor's note: The following is a recap of the week's news events, in the words of the newsmakers.

"The widely held thought is that presenting a defendant in jail garb sort of makes the jury feel like jail is the right place for this defendant to be."

J. Larry Hart,a local criminal defense attorney, commenting on murder suspect Phillup Alan Partin's decision to wear his jailhouse blues at his trial.

"I don't think it's something that means I can't encourage people to vote. I mean, nobody's perfect."

Patricia Carroll, a Wesley Chapel lawyer who filed to run for county supervisor of elections, when asked why she declined to vote in some elections since 2000.

"We cannot widen beyond six lanes planned due to wetlands impact."

Michele Baker, chief assistant county administrator, discussing the possibility of an elevated 10-mile toll road over State Road 54.

"We keep having these discussions about who pays, but the bottom line is the taxpayers pay."

School Board member Allen Altman, regarding an ongoing argument between school and county officials about costs associated with building new schools.

"It's a big deal."

Amy Jenkins, president of the Seven Oaks Elementary School, referring to a benefit concert by the Jonas Brothers to raise money for the school's new playground.

"These are not tears of unhappiness. These are tears of joy ... because I survived. I survived."

Cecily Johnson, sharing her experience as a battered wife during the kickoff of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

"Dale couldn't swim, but it didn't stop him from fishing."

Carol Birdyshaw, whose former husband Dale Puricelli drowned in Lake Tarpon along with Daniel Propes. Both men were from Holiday.

[Last modified October 7, 2007, 00:26:57]