Today's Letters: Fasano a friend to local business

Fasano targeted in ethics complaint Nov. 19 story

I am writing on behalf of a small family-owned business named American Safety Institute. My father originally opened and founded our family business 13 years ago. We opened our first office in Hudson. We were proud to have the opportunity to fulfill the American dream and begin our small business.

We educated and taught drivers safety courses in Pasco, Pinellas and Citrus counties and quickly became a fast-growing company with many opportunities. We increased our customer base and employees each year.

In 2004, the agency that regulates our industry issued an exclusive contract to print and distribute the drivers license handbooks. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) has always been fair about how customers would find a school by just simply referring the customer to the local yellow pages. However, this particular contract gave the exclusive rights to one company to have over 14 color advertisements in the handbook. This excluded all other driving and traffic schools from having the opportunity to place an ad in the handbook.

This completely changed the way a customer would find a school.

Now this same company that was awarded the contract has gained over 55 percent of the market share of the industry in just three years. Many businesses have already closed due to the effects of this exclusive contract.

The contract that was awarded came under scrutiny by the media and Legislature when it became public that the vendor that was awarded the exclusive contract hired Sherry Dickinson as its lobbyist. Mrs. Dickinson was married to the director of DHSMV, Fred Dickinson. This is highly unethical.

Many of us in the industry never even received an invitation to bid. The few companies in the industry that did receive the invitation only received it and had 10 days notice to respond to a multimillion dollar contract.

Also, many of the requirements said "you must do this" and then when the contract was awarded to Mrs. Dickinson's client those "must do these" requirements were reduced dramatically.

In 2005, DHSMV tried to push through another exclusive contract to allow Florida Highway Patrol to handout fliers for one vendor. We could only speculate that this contract was another sweetheart deal.

We spoke with Sen. Fasano, Sen. Sebesta, Rep. Bucher and several other legislators who wrote and called Mr. Dickinson. After receiving pressure from the Legislature, Mr. Dickinson decided to cancel the bid to require FHP to hand out fliers for one company, citing that "it could create a conflict of interest."

We do not mind good competition. We welcome the opportunity to compete fairly in a free enterprise market. We just do not want our government to give any company an unfair advantage in the industry, especially when its the same agency that regulates the industry.

Sen. Fasano was involved in this controversial issue long before any lobbyist was working with Florida Providers for Traffic Safety. The only lobbyist involved was Sherry Dickinson. Sen. Fasano assisted our company because we have a business located in his district and we have known him for many years. It is very clear that anytime you have a spouse lobbying the same agency her husband runs you are going to need the assistance of the Legislature to intervene.

Sen. Fasano did what any constituent would expect and that is represent that people that voted him in office.

Bart Cassidy Jr., Tallahassee

Close roads in Heritage Lakes

I am one of more than 75 percent of residents in Heritage Lakes in favor of closing our roads. My reasoning is not based on the traffic of school buses but rather the blatant disregard for the set speed limit, road signs, juvenile pranks and vandalism of our retirement community.

One of our seniors was hit while riding her bike because the car failed to stop at a stop sign. Motorcyclists speed excessively on St. Lawrence so that they gain enough momentum to ride a wheelie as long as they dare possible. One cyclist hit our neighbor's mailbox and had to be air lifted to Tampa as a result of a head injury.

Young people drive by throwing eggs and beer bottles at our homes and vehicles parked in our driveways. They have destroyed our lawn furniture, lawn ornaments, water sprinklers and mailboxes, which is a federal offense.

The windows of our homes have become their targets for cherry bombs. Garbage cans that have been placed at the end of our driveways for trash pickup are emptied all over our lawns, streets and street lamps. Doorbells ring late at night and of course when you go to answer there's no one there.

Law-abiding seniors are being verbally threatened in our area when they encounter a speeding motorist who is offended by their slowness. Why not report these acts of misconduct to the police? By the time the police are able to respond the speeders or vandals are gone.

Yes, we would like to gate off the south end of St. Lawrence and Tiburon. A great percentage of us believe that this will help make our retirement community safe and peaceful. At our age we've worked hard, endured much and would like to enjoy what's left of our lives.

This is not to say that we do not consider school buses or children and their safety. As I do consider them, I have children also. Perhaps the county would consider extending one of the neighboring community's streets (Sacramento and Niles) to Little Road and installing a traffic light there. This alternative solution would meet our seniors' concerns as well as the surrounding communities that want a traffic light onto Little Road.

Kay Corcoran, New Port Richey

Waiting to vote next November

I was shocked to find out, after reading Pasco Sheriff's Lt. Sullivan's statement, that I am a multiple felon.

I must have participated in illegal gambling a hundred or more times in my life by taking part in 50-50 raffles for such organizations as the fire department, the Elks, the Lions, the PTA, church, synagogues and even playing the Florida Lottery.

According to Lt. Sullivan, the state law defines gambling as pay to play, no skill necessary and a prize at the end. Gone is Gov. Crist's effort to raise some badly needed cash to balance the state budget. Who needs money for education in Florida?

So, Speaker Rubio and Lt. Sullivan, go ahead and stop this illegal gambling. I can't wait to cast my vote in November 2008.

Fred Stieber,Hudson

[Last modified November 24, 2007, 20:36:54]