Today's Letters: Broken ankle shouldn't stop her

School Board member can't phone it in Nov. 27 story

I don't understand why a broken ankle means that Cathi Martin cannot attend her School Board meetings. My daughter was in a car accident and broke her ankle in four places, yet after leaving the hospital returned to work daily in a wheelchair for two months.

I understand that she cannot drive herself to the meetings, but isn't there someone who can drive her or can't she hire someone to get her there? After all, we are still paying her salary to be a School Board member.

Cathy Wishard, New Port Richey

Good riddance to griping snowbird

As a full-time, lifelong resident of our great state I have one thing to say to the snowbird who is threatening to move to Arizona and "destroy Florida's economy" - I will help you pack up your stuff and point you in the right direction!

I mapped out the route from New Port Richey to Flagstaff, Ariz., on Google Earth and will be happy to e-mail it you. Only 2,222 miles to your new desert paradise!

Sure, taxes are high and people are entitled to complain. But to threaten us with economic ruin if snowbirds moved out is comical and arrogant. Is that really a threat to a state with overcrowded schools, jam-packed roads and dry aquifers?

You might think we rooted Floridians are a bunch of rubes; but our money is just as good as yours. I've lived here for 36 years and have heard too many carpetbaggers and Johnnies-come-lately complain about Florida and how things are down here. Then they have the gall to threaten us with leaving!

Many working and retired people are being forced to move out of Florida due to the insurance industry and the mortgage debacle. My sympathies are with them, not someone who lives here a few months and has to pay $900 more in taxes. I doubt you have to worry about losing your only home.

Ray Cleaver,New Port Richey

Center Stage special for all

The Center Stage Dance Studio will be extremely missed. I am torn apart on how this could happen. We are directly involved with this closing and I want to let you know that the Snyders are very dedicated, caring and wonderful people.

My son, Greg, with Down's syndrome, is one of the special needs students who attends the class for special needs students at the studio. Center Stage is the only dance studio in the area I'm aware of that offers classes for special needs students. This class, taught by Kim Taylor, has about 15 students with special needs ranging from Down's syndrome to autism and anywhere in between.

Everyone involved with the studio, from the Snyders to the teachers and the students, were so accepting and caring about our kids. Our kids even perform in the shows there and one dance was even done unified with a class of traditional students.

The Snyders were all about their students. I have never seen a studio like this before and I worked for a studio in Michigan years ago. They had areas for students who needed to eat because they spent so much time there. They had areas for students to work on homework for the same reason.

These students were dedicated as much as the Snyders were for their beliefs about their expectations and for doing the best they could do, including our "special" kids.

Thank you Keith and Debbie for what you do, for who you are and I pray that you will be able to once again open Center Stage (wherever that may be) to make wonderful miracles happen.

Barbara Konrad, New Port Richey

From veterans, a salute to troops Nov. 28 letter

Troops salutethe home front

I just wanted to forward my appreciation to letter writer Dave Peregoy and all the veterans organizations.

As a soldier deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, we receive numerous packages from caring families, groups and individuals who express their appreciation.

As a former New Port Richey resident I try to read the local paper as often as possible and it is gratifying to see the support from all the great and wonderful people who may not know what we are doing but they know exactly how we are feeling. Thank you for what you do.

Sgt. Michael A. Vaughn, U.S. Army

Rakkasans of the 3rd Brigade

101st Airborne Division

[Last modified November 29, 2007, 20:56:10]