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Letters to the EditorsQuote aimed at condition of building
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 14, 2001 Re: Leaders trying to nudge fee concept forward, Feb. 3 Editor: The author quoted remarks made to elected officials, government attorneys and School Board members at the quarterly Municipal Association of Pasco meeting in Saint Leo. I was accurately quoted as describing Gulf Middle School as a "abomination" and "hellhole." My remarks were meant to describe the physical condition of the building and to goad the direction of funding dollars to fulfill the reconstruction plans I have seen but doubt the imminency of. In reviewing the reporter's wording, I find it hard to believe that anyone could lift the context of my words to imply that I was referring to the staff or students of Gulf Middle. Hearing that some have chosen to believe that saddens me. I believe that we are all products of our environment and if anything, the physical deterioration of this aged structure means that staff must work even harder to compensate for what is lacking in amenities and aesthetics. Reports I have gathered from parents confirm that is indeed the case and I commend the school for all the extra effort put forth on a daily basis to boost morale and pride in preparing our next generation of citizens. I made the motion at our last City Council meeting to strike our exception on impact fees from city code. This was the necessary prerequisite to enacting a new ordinance to collect the fees and support the countywide effort to ensure our school system gets the funding it needs to guarantee every student will be housed in a permanent structure and receive the attention that provides the backbone for a successful life. Our previous hesitation pivoted on our commitment to the physical and economic redevelopment of the city and whether the imposition of the fees might hinder this effort. Our inclusion to collect may be offset by incentives where the city will reimburse the fee to new home builders so that everyone will still be a winner. Please accept this demonstration as proof of our commitment to ensuring the vigilantly ascend to its heart.
Quality of low-income housing better than being homelessRe: Need does not exist for low-income rentals, Jan. 30 letter Editor: I just recently came across the letter saying there was not a need for low-income housing. There is indeed crime in all socio-economic neighborhoods. Since you are so concerned with quality of life, please answer me one question. The people who can't afford $500 to $600 a month for rent, who then will be forced to be homeless in the woods behind your house and mine or live in an overcrowded shelter, what will their quality of life be? I work diligently along with many fine professionals who make up the Pasco Coalition for the Homeless, and we know the need for more low-income housing. We also work on a daily basis to improve the quality of life for the same people you would have just deprived of a home. Don't be part of the problem. Be part of the solution. Make your opinions the building blocks to a better future for us all. Not the destruction that so many families are struggling though daily.
Robots would do a better job than overpaid postal workersRe: Postal workers deserve merit badge, Feb. 7 letter The letter writer sounds like he works for the post office or his family does. My mail is being trashed by the Hudson Post Office and the overpaid workers. These post office people get $48,000 a year for delivering mail. Our schoolteachers get much less and they have an education. Where is this great U.S.A. going? Hire a robot. They're cheaper, would do a better job and be pleasant. You say the post office picks up and delivers food to the poor and helps the sick. Maybe that's the reason for the quality of service we get. Give them $5.25 per hour, that's what they're worth. So give them a merit badge for their bad, bad service and rudeness. This has been going on for five years. Now they play with my pension and Social Security checks.
Winter residents say they pay more than their share of taxesEditor: We agree that "everyone should pay their share because they all share in our services." It's when the writer says "a large number of snowbirds purposely buy the low-priced homes or trailers so they won't have to pay taxes here" that we take exception. We bought an $80,000 home in a nice, deed-restricted area in New Port Richey. We pay 70 percent more in taxes than the previous owner because we also own a home and live up North seven months a year and therefore do not qualify for a homestead exemption. We use your facilities five months of every year and pay 70 percent more in taxes, so please don't say we don't have to pay taxes. We have to pay a water and sewer bill for 12 months every year even though we only use your services five months. We have to pay $600 to resurface our street even though we drive on it five months a year. We're not complaining. We're happy we're able to spend the winter months away from the snow and ice in your beautiful sunny state, but please give credit where credit is due. I believe you were speaking of a small number of snowbirds, not a "large number" as you stated. What do you think would happen to your taxes without snowbirds like us paying more than our share?
Share your viewsThe Pasco Times welcomes letters from readers for publication. Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length (250-300 words maximum as a rule). Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed. Anonymous letters or letters with initials only will not be printed. Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668.
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