Today's Letters: Buying Aloha is the best answer

Politics has no place in utilities March 2, letter

The customers of Aloha Utilities have been trying to get the water cleaned up for over 14 years. If any of the solutions that the letter writer suggested worked, we would have had clean water long ago. Many of the customers of Aloha are professional engineers and scientists. They have come up with all of her suggestions and many more to no avail.

We have pressured the Public Service Commission, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Pasco County's Board of Commissioners. We've made many trips to Tallahassee to testify. Having the utility purchased by the FGUA seems to be the only way to get decent water for Aloha customers. Aloha Utilities has promised much and delivered nothing.

To the letter writer, do you have black water coming out of your faucets? Do you have a rotten egg smell in your shower? Do you have to buy bottled water not only for yourself and family but for your pets also? Did you have to buy and maintain a water softener? If so, I am sure the Committee for Better Water Now would be happy to have you come to their meetings and help end the problems. Otherwise, you know what they say: "Walk a mile in my moccasins" and then see what you think.

As a last note, buying the utilities would still maintain local tax paying citizens. The work to maintain and monitor the utility still needs to be done regardless who owns it.

Donna Vaurio, Trinity

History. Pride. Conflict. March 2, story

Help preserve Pasco's history

I'm on the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village Board. I read the article. I think one can read between the lines that the tough decisions come about due to lack of day-to-day operating funds to keep this rare glimpse of history alive.

We have the oldest house in Pasco County and a dozen other interesting buildings and many displays. I lead tours of the grounds and visitors often remark how interesting it is, particularly for kids, to see how people lived years ago with oil lamps, wood stoves, plows, quilts, outhouses and windmills. We even have a 1777 American flag with 13 stars.

If every adult in Pasco would become a yearly member for $25 ($35) for the entire family, we would be forever solvent. And the entire family is admitted with the membership card all year long to all daytime events. The Black Tie and Blue Jeans Country Ball is a fundraiser that requires a paid ticket.

Roy Marks,Dade City

Group leaders' sole focus is guns Feb. 29, letter

Writer doesn't understand GOP

Letter writer Arthur Hayhoe's claims don't make sense. For one thing, Ann Bunting can hardly change the homeowner membership of the Beacon Woods Civic Association. Likewise, he has no concept as to what the Republican Party of Pasco does, which is to help elect officials who believe in less taxes and less government. We have been extremely successful under my leadership and have raised more money than ever. He is troubled because Republicans protect the Bill of Rights, including the Second Amendment.

I'll be out supporting Sen. John McCain for president and hope Gov. Mike Huckabee will be appointed to the Cabinet when Sen. McCain is elected. Mr. Hayhoe is in lockstep with his candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who are antigun.

Ann's recent letter explained how the information Hayhoe restated as fact was all wrong and how her policies were to protect homeowners, not Wal-Mart. The Spirit of '76 Republican Club meetings are held the first Monday at Brew City in New Port Richey at 7 p.m. People are welcome to come and see that the club supports the entire Republican Party platform.

Arthur Hayhoe can support his Democratic candidates. I'll help get Republicans elected who will support the Constitution.

Bill Bunting, chairman

Republican Party of Pasco

Hudson

'Crumbs' aren't a real solution

I'm an independent constituent in Hernando County. Having followed the issue of U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's position on the economic stimulus package, her comments on residency and who should receive benefits, I find opponents' responses to be misguided.

I expect my congressional representative to represent the interests of citizens and residents of the district. Further, I would evaluate that representative's performance on his/her representing those interests and results, not on semantics.

Neither party has a desire to focus on the real issue - borrowing money as a solution to recession. Rather, both parties appear satisfied to have citizens wrapped up in the frenzy of getting their fair share of the "crumbs."

If the best issue for the Orange County Democratic Party leadership is to "ratchet up the heat" on a congressional representative and focus on the use of "foreign citizens who do not pay taxes," then we are all in dire trouble. Why not focus on the problem and real solutions rather than being "stuck on stupid"?

Thomas Deutschle, Weeki Wachee

75 march against Rep. Brown-Waite Feb. 29, story

If they're citizens, where's the flag?

There was a picture of the "bus persons" marching against Ginny Brown-Waite's remark about Puerto Rico and citizenship. To the persons marching in the front: If you are U.S. citizens, what flags were you carrying? Didn't look like "Old Glory" to me!

Jim Hildebrand, Spring Hill

[Last modified March 4, 2008, 20:49:39]