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Letters to the EditorsBureau's board gives reasons for closing
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 7, 2001 Editor: There has been much written in the papers lately about the difficulties facing the Visitors and Convention Bureau. There is also a good deal that has not been written. The board of directors has been working very hard to save the bureau because we believe very strongly in its importance to Pasco County. We took a number of steps to improve the organization. We terminated the executive director's position in October, and set about bringing operating costs in line, cutting them by more than 50 percent. Although the old financial records were very unclear, we managed to find where all the money associated with the building mortgage went. This was the accounting Mike Nurrenbrock of the Office of Management and Budget needed before he could recommend payment of the $29,000 promised by the Tourist Development Council last year. We accepted a settlement offer from Kathy DeDomenico. We negotiated a deal with a kiosk operator in Gulfview Mall who would have displayed our material in a high-traffic location, at a very low cost to us. It was our feeling that the credibility problems created by the press damaged our ability to sell advertising. In addition, old debts incurred by the bureau put it in a precarious financial position, and we could not, in good conscience, sell advertising space when we didn't know whether we would be able to honor it. It had long been our feeling, also, that the ideal situation for Pasco would be for the bureau to work closely with the council for the most effective use of public and private tourism promotion dollars. (This public private partnership is used quite effectively by the state; FLA-USA). We approached the Tourist Development Council with this idea, and they were very receptive, recognizing the value of the welcome centers as a cost-effective way to promote the county. In our proposal, the county dollars would be used for operating expenses, and the private advertising revenue would go to pay back debts. We emphasized to the council and to the Office of Management and Budget that we were completely willing to provide whatever accounting was required with the use of public funds. They asked us to make a more detailed proposal about specific duties and their own funding allocations, and they called a special meeting for Feb. 8 to consider it. We had already begun to work on that proposal, but with the latest round of negative publicity, it appears the bureau has become a political liability for the county. We are a volunteer board, and while we believe in the potential of the welcome centers, at this point it is not practical for us to continue. The Visitor Welcome Centers of Pasco are closed. Thank you for your support and understanding. Advertising partners are invited to come pick up their signage and other promotional material before Feb. 16. Please see Dave Bell, manager at the Master's Inn.
Housing project is poorly plannedEditor: Perhaps it is politically incorrect to compare a high-density, low-income housing project with one already in existence. The planned housing project, if built, will be on Little Road, south of Ross Lane and just 1.1 miles from the existing project, Park Richey. The existing project was built to house about 600 people, but after eight months, many vacancies exist. The proposed three-story apartments would be home to 600 to 800 people. Would these units also be underutilized? Have in-depth studies been done to justify the need for yet another project? Having these two projects less than 2 miles from each other does not seem like responsible, long-term planning. Other issues need to be addressed as well: Cypress Elementary and River Ridge Middle/High schools are already experiencing overcrowding. Our sewage and water supplies are already stressed, and traffic continues to be a problem between Ridge Road and Massachusetts Avenue. Our resources are limited, and growth will eventually be restricted. Is this the type of growth we envisioned for Pasco County? Concerned residents, please voice your concerns to our Pasco County Planning Commission at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, and to our county commissioners. Both of these meetings will take place in the Board Room at the West Pasco Government Center.
Postal workers deserve merit badgeRe: Post Office still lacking, Feb. 1 letter. Editor: It seems to me that the letter writer may not be watching the weather forecasts. With all that snow and bad weather going on up there that the Postal Service has to battle, I think he got good service for the $2.98 he paid to have his certified letter mailed to Delaware! He should consider what the cost would be to deliver the letter himself and then make his decision. Our Postal Service also picks up and delivers food to the poor and helps the sick and people in disaster situations, at no charge to the people of this great country of ours, besides the postal are workers digging into their own pockets to contribute to the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Let's give the Postal Service a well-earned gold star for good merits. I take my hat off to the Postal Service for a job well done over many decades. As for the measly increase, I think we will all benefit from it. Thank you, Uncle Sam!
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