Today's Letters: Young adults need better jobs

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published October 23, 2007

In the past year, I've heard several residents speak at Hernando County Commission meetings, asking repeatedly, "Where are the jobs?" Indeed, other than the limited opportunities of construction and retail, there is nothing for young adults here to set their goals for prosperous, enriching careers with salaries reaching onward and upward.

Being the "geographical center" of Florida is as meaningful as the invisible location on the glossy pages of the official maps of Hernando County. I believe it's somewhat north of Pine Island along the marshy shores in the northwest part of the county, but it is nowhere near an area that would bring notoriety to the county.

Somewhere along the way of drafting a master plan for the future, Hernando County was set aside for thoughtless residential development. Look where we are now.

Hernando County is frighteningly handicapped to provide the diverse employment base necessary to maintain jobs for its residents. And its road structure is poorly positioned to those needs.

The Florida primary election is little more than 90 days from now, so it would be in the best interest of parents to question each candidate how they intend to broaden the spectrum of employment in the county.

As the candidates, whether incumbents or first-time political aspirants, campaign for nominations for seats in commission districts 1, 3 and 5, future job opportunities should be of primary concern to parents dedicated to the success of their children. Of course, there are other pressing and immediate concerns that must be addressed, but having a diverse base of employment is also paramount to the economic well-being for the Hernando County of tomorrow.

When residents voice their concerns at commission hearings and they seek answers about where the jobs are, they are not talking about the simplicity of construction and retail jobs; they are expecting something more. They are seeking specific information to carry with them to the voting booth. Regardless of who the candidate is, if answers aren't immediately forthcoming, they will have already displayed how shortsighted their visions will be during the following four years.

Ron Rae, Spring Hill

Re: Commissioners need to step down Oct. 12 letter

Was writer being fully honest?

Andrea Schultz asks if the Hernando County commissioners are "playing three card monte or trying to pull the wool over our eyes?"

Are you, Ms. Schultz?

You refer to speaker Blaise Ingoglia of the Government Gone Wild seminars as "Mr. Ingoglia," but make no reference to the fact that he is your brother.

You ask if the commissioners were not being honest with residents. Have you been open and honest with residents and Times readers regarding who you are (Andrea Ingoglia) and your request to have the commissioners step down?

Beth Ives, Spring Hill

Your voice counts

We welcome letters from readers for publication. To send a letter from your computer, go to www.tampabay.com/letters and fill in the required information. Type your letter in the space provided on the form, specify that you are writing the Hernando section of the newspaper, and then click "submit." You also may cut and paste a letter that you have prepared elsewhere in your computer.

If you prefer, you may fax your letter to (352) 754-6133, or mail it to: Letters to the Editor, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613.

All letters should be brief and must include the writer's name, city of residence, mailing address and telephone number. When possible, letters should include a handwritten signature. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed. The Times does not publish anonymous letters.

Letters may be edited for clarity, taste, length and accuracy. We regret that not all letters can be printed.

[Last modified October 22, 2007, 20:43:26]