Today's Letters: Here's how to raise salaries of teachers

Re: 'Tweaking' contract leads to a deadlock Nov. 29 story

I read your article about which side (teachers union or school district) gets to divvy up the proposed salary increase for teachers. Union officials stated the district's salary schedule, which earmarked an increase of 0.9 percent to those who have reached the top of the pay scale, would make them go ballistic. Well, how do union officials feel all the other teachers will react if faced with the same proposal?

Here is one solution: Teachers now have to work 30 years or attain age 62 to retire. There are now only 26 step increases.

The solution would be to add four steps to the schedule, and then you can give that 5.5 percent raise to all teachers without any of them going ballistic.

Happy holidays, ho, ho, ho.

Ted Gembicki, Spring Hill

Heroes protecting Lake Geneva area

To all of you who have heard and read so much about the loss of wetlands and natural habitat in Florida, and the wonderful plants and animals that make their homes there, let me tell you there is hope here in east Hernando County.

The Hernando County Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, which designates areas of Conservation, Strategic Habitat and Wetlands, is being taken seriously by our county workers.

The destruction of native flora, and the subsequent reduction in endangered, threatened and species of special interest around Lake Geneva in east Hernando County will soon come to an end due to the efforts of our dedicated county employees.

I would like to extend specific recognition and thanks to Jeffrey Davis of the Code Enforcement Department and Deputy Christopher Vascellaro with the Sheriff's Office (our community deputy here in Ridge Manor).

Without their decisive action and efforts, the pristine area around the south end of Lake Geneva could be suffering the same degradation that has plagued too many parts of our beautiful state. We need more folks like these.

Mark Hutchinson,

Ridge Manor

Re: Dream sets play in motion for boy Nov. 19 story

Family of sick boy says thanks to all

I would like to thank Times correspondent Beth Gray for her kindness when she gathered the information for her article.

I also would like everyone who has been there for our family to know how much it has meant to us. When you have a sick child, you see the good in people you may not have seen before. Thanks again. God bless.

Kelly Amato, Spring Hill

Re: Is throwaway society humane? Nov. 30 guest column

Think before anylife joins the family

Maleka Sharay did a superb job enlightening us on the consequences to pets when their owners flippantly discard them without thoughtful consideration. Obviously, many persons in our society do not use proper forethought before they acquire a new, four-legged member into their home and family.

Unfortunately, this throwaway attitude, which pervades many aspects of our social norms, is not limited to pets. It is also prevalent among two-legged members in our families.

Responsibilities and obligations toward procreation of human babies as well as the moral and social consequences to spouses seem to get trashed in favor of "what's best for me right now."

It is impossible to imagine all of the possible scenarios that might face us when initially accepting another live being into our lives.

But to not anticipate that an unspayed dog will have puppies, that puppies will jump up and chew on things, or that a spouse will have different opinions than your own or could possibly make a mistake, is pure immaturity and/or stupidity.

Anticipating normal problems requires forethought and maturity. Solving the unanticipated challenges requires creativity and persistence, not disposing of a live being.

Raymond S. Miller, Spring Hill

Re: Is throwaway society humane? Nov. 30 guest column

Value of life shouldbe the real message

I was deeply touched by Maleka Sharay's article on the euthanasia of a puppy.

Those of us who see so much abuse as a result of our state's complacency when it comes to exotic pets, such as big cats, are often quoting statistics of people mauled and killed, and even of the numbers of big cats being killed or forced to live in prison-like environments, but it doesn't convey the real message. How can you convey the value of a life?

Sharay speaks from the heart and I hope we hear more from her.

Carole Baskin, founder,

Big Cat Rescue, Tampa

Your voice counts

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[Last modified December 3, 2007, 20:34:55]