The Week in Words

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 2, 2007

"Why call it a holiday tree in a town named after a historic British evangelist?"

The Rev. Paul Burdick, pastor of Wesley Chapel Church of the Nazarene. Burdick was among those who complained that the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce's tree lighting event excluded religion.

"In this particular set of facts, we felt that charging her with prostitution would not be appropriate."

Assistant State Attorney Mike Halkitis,explaining why a misdemeanor charge was dropped against a 19-year-old woman authorities say was a sex slave to Andrew Michael Kobak.

"I think that would be kind of cool. I can't miss any more meetings."

School Board member Cathi Martin, regarding the possibility of her attending board meetings remotely. Martin is a frequent no-show because of health concerns.

"I think they should clear the property and go from there. Maybe little storefronts, like John's Pass."

Judy Parisi, who lives near a mobile home park near the Pithlachascotee River that the city of Port Richey may buy. "It didn't seem to me to make any sense to put it so close to an urban area and the water reserves not just of Pasco, but also Hillsborough and Pinellas. I'm more comfortable incinerating our trash than burying it."

State Sen. Victor Crist, regarding plans to build a private garbage landfill near Dade City, a small portion of his district. Though the project has been a source of controversy for a year, Crist said he just learned of it last week.

"We tried to teach the kids from A to Z there - technical, performing, the works. When we told them (the studio is closing), they were crying, the parents were crying."

Keith Snyder, owner of the Center Stage for Theatre and Performing Arts in New Port Richey. The theater faces eviction because it is behind in rent payments.

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

"We are a professional organization. If you choose to have that, work somewhere else."

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Olson,regarding former employee Lauren Mixon. She tested the office dress code by wearing a tiny diamond where she had her nose pierced.

"We are a professional organization. If you choose to have that, work somewhere else."

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Olson, regarding former employee Lauren Mixon. She tested the office dress code by wearing a tiny diamond where she had her nose pierced.

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 20:17:00]