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Today's Letters: It's still too early for 'Jingle Bells'

Letters to the Editor
Published November 18, 2007

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Since Nov. 1, Wal-Mart stores have been playing Christmas carols and music. Don't you think this is much too early? Is Wal-Mart afraid it might lose money if it waited until the traditional after-Thanksgiving sales?

Don't get me wrong; I am a Christian and love Christmas, its music and the excitement of shopping and gift-giving. But can Wal-Mart discontinue the music until after Thanksgiving?

Dorothy Menzo, Spring Hill

Schools may drop merit pay Nov. 5 story

Merit pay or no, value teachers

I read the reasons in the story and then I read what Nick Morana said in his letter to the editor on the same subject. Mr. Morana said the commonsense things we all know are true, and the real reason merit pay wouldn't be a good idea.

The teachers I have had that helped me the most would never have received merit pay from me until years later when I grew up and realized how much I owed them. They were the no-nonsense instructors who didn't care how popular they were, but made sure we learned.

So, think of President George W. Bush when he said to the FEMA guy, "You're doing a hell of a job, Brownie," then look out into the water - is that a family on top of the roof of their house?

John Albert, Spring Hill

Can't we just pick one speed limit?

I am 82-plus years old and received my first speeding ticket for going 39 mph in a 30 mph speed zone. I was guilty of this offense and paid the $86.50 fine.

I have no complaint for getting the ticket; my concern is the different speed zones in Spring Hill. Within three blocks of where I received the ticket we have 20, 30 and 40 mph speed limits.

They have made speed limits around schools standard; why can't the streets in Spring Hill also have a standard speed limit of either 25, 30, 35 or 40 mph?

Paul Mienerr, Spring Hill

Kids at bus stop need to be aware

I consider myself to be a good driver. I obey speed zones, I don't tailgate and I drive 15 mph in a school zone. However, even playing by all of the rules, you can sometimes face situations that are beyond your control.

I drive the same route to work every day, usually in the dark, as most of us do. I pass the same children waiting for their buses in the morning. This one particular drive to work was different then all of the rest.

As I approached the corner where I usually turn right, there was a high school student who had on the usual high school clothes: jeans, hoodie and sneakers, all of them very dark colors. The only difference was that she was sitting in the road where her bus usually stops. I became ill when I realized I could have just run right over her with my car. Imagine the grief her family would have felt and the agony I would have suffered if I would have hit her. What if she was the person that was supposed to cure cancer, or the scientist who finds the reason for autism? Life would have changed for all of us.

Parents, please, stress to your children they must always be on alert, whether it be from cars or people. Life is beautiful and life is short. Please, be aware.

L. Mulry, Spring Hill

Bears take down rival Sharks Nov. 10 story

Shameful display taints victory

Central High School coach Cliff Lohrey and principal Dennis McGeehan should be ashamed of themselves, their football team, and their fans. If I were a parent of a student or athlete at Central High, I would have to reassess the quality of education and morals my child was getting within the walls of that school.

The behavior of the Central students and athletes at Nature Coast Technical High School on Nov. 9 before, during, and after the game was reprehensible. Not only was I present at the game, but I watched the replay on HITV (cable Ch. 14) and I must agree with the announcers that it was truly a "classless act" on the part of the entire football team and any administration nearby.

What was even more repulsive was that in the video, coach Lohrey led his team to the center field Sharks logo and was reveling with his team, jumping up and down; a few athletes even spit on it. Coach Lohrey should seriously think about resigning as head coach. Who possibly could take him or his team seriously after his actions and comments postgame?

As a fan of local high school sports, I thought I had become immune to the raucous behavior of Central High School fans. There is a vast difference between supporting your school and being offensive. I have seen everything from booing cheerleaders, to the "visiting" fans sitting on the home side and booing the home team when they scored. I thought I had seen it all. Is this learned or inspired behavior, and where does it come from? Maybe principal McGeehan or Coach Lohrey can explain.

Either way, it was nothing less than an intolerable display of poor sportsmanship and should not be condoned by the school administration or the FHSAA. This behavior needs to stop with this incident.

Michael Batchelder, Brooksville

Community leaders think big, deliver bigger Nov. 5 story

Kudos to team of strong leaders

Congratulations to the Leadership Hernando team that tackled six needed community projects. Obviously, these are strong leaders who understand how community involvement benefits the entire county.

It is wonderful to read about caring, effective people working as a team to make the world a better place.

Mary Repper, Brooksville

[Last modified November 17, 2007, 20:05:33]

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