The week in words
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 20, 2008
Editor's note: The following is a recap of the week's news events, in the words of the newsmakers.
"I showed it to my brother and said, 'You want to see something? It's E.T."'
Thomas Ploss of Port Richey, who bought a piece of plywood that seemed to contain an image of the fictional extraterrestrial. He said it was much like the recent sighting of Jesus' image on a slab of granite.
"We tried to be as factual as we could... without the emotion in it. But the facts are what the facts are."
Pasco Schools Superintendent Heather Fiorentino,regarding the district's report on the negative impact Amendment 1 will have on education.
"I'm going to cry I'm so happy."
Kim Krook, Wiregrass Ranch High School language arts teacher as she congratulated Lesley Wade, Pasco's teacher of the year. Wade is a science teacher at Wiregrass.
"This is going to escalate the amount of recycling we're going to do."
County Commissioner Jack Mariano, as the board considered charging all homeowners an annual recycling fee with their property taxes.
"I feel vindicated."
Lynne Webb, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, after a state panel ruled the local district can't unilaterally force employees to be on call to staff emergency shelters during the summer.
"I definitely have a lot of respect for having that kind of determination and goal. I think that's what I've made my life about."
Danny Andrews, whose left leg was amputated after a soccer injury when he was 14. Andrews went on to play soccer at Gulf High School and set records as a Paralympic runner. Now 26 and an engineer in Arizona, Andrews spoke about Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee Paralympian who was denied a chance to compete in the Olympics because officials said his prostheses give him an unfair competitive advantage over able-bodied competitors.
"He's all about family, all about team. He's an amazing guy."
Jeremy Calzone,Wiregrass Ranch High basketball coach referring to Ridgewood High coaching legend Gary Anders. Calzone is a former assistant to Anders, now in his 29th year as head basketball coach.
"We expect he'll be treated like anyone else who steals money."
Assistant State Attorney James Goodnow, referring to former lawyer David Edward Olson, who pleaded no contest to charges that he stole almost $200,000 from his clients.