Letters to the Editors

Development is to blame for county's water problem

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 27, 2000

Editor: Although it is not my intention, in any way, to throw discredit on the efforts of those interested parties that have and are fighting the misuse of the water in Pasco County, the one issue that has stayed with me through all of the struggles is that there is a failure within the County Commission to see that it is its own worst enemy.

When I first came to Pasco County the population at that time was approximately 75,000 people and water then was as plentiful as anyone could want. True, the same could be said about the two counties to the south of us. But regardless, water at that time was abundant for all.

Today, commissioners and concerned citizens want to lay the blame for a shortage of water on those two counties, although Pasco's population has risen to more then 300,000 and still growing. Many new businesses have entered the county and more will come. All along well-traveled routes, malls are springing up and for every foot of ground that is covered over with asphalt, gallons of water are diverted from the underground fresh water that is needed for use by the residents of this county and elsewhere in Florida.

It has been said that for every square foot of paving, an aquifer system is lost forever, and so without a moratorium on future development, matters will only become worse and the only people responsible for this dilemma will be those who sit behind the dais and act with indifference toward what is going on within our own border.

Before Pasco County is stripped clean of its wetlands and forest by developers looking to cash in on what remains good in this county, commissioners must begin to say no. Election time should not be thought of as maximum cash contributions from those who seek a favorable vote from elected officials. If county planners and commissioners can not see the emergency that presents itself today, the tomorrows of the near future will prove to be too late.

This is an election year. It is time for the voters to voice their disapproval of what has happened in past years and to look for someone with courage enough to do what is right for Pasco County. Developers should no longer run this county or any other county in Florida.
-- Joseph Peck, New Port Richey

Satellite dishes aren't the answer fed-up cable customers are seeking

Re: "Time Warner wrong to zap channel," Feb. 25 letter

Editor: I have no argument other than to say go easy on suggesting satellite dishes as an answer to cable's unconcern for cable subscribers.

We have been on satellite mostly for the past six years and at $30.99 per month ($371.88 annually) including tax, you get commercials up to your ears and rerun after rerun.

If that isn't enough, from time to time, especially on holidays, you get a full daily schedule of the same rerun for up to 12 hours or more, often times followed by another rerun shown repeatedly.

The Dukes of Hazzard on TNN seems permanent. M*A*S*H shows twice a day, one hour each showing. Now the A-Team and McHale's Navy have been brought back and Walker, Texas Ranger (reruns) seems to be a permanent fixture. Don't forget Gomer Pyle USMC and Petticoat Junction. It features so many reruns with nothing new that the list is too long to mention here.

While the fee may not be a great deal of money, don't forget that in your agony, they are also collecting from advertisers. The programs are so chopped up with a half dozen commercials each break, it is almost impossible to find any enjoyment.

Cable is a tough pill to swallow, but we dropped satellite for a year and went back to cable. I have to question why I ever found satellite to be the lesser of two evils.

Also, small dishes are claimed as digital TV. Unlike the 10-foot dishes, digital is lost with any rainstorm and it doesn't have to be in the same county you are in. We are leaving this county and are seriously considering leaving the system with the buyer.

Check into the satellite system very carefully before investing.

The writer had a valid point, but don't expect these companies to do anything about it until enough of us bring pressure on them and the sponsors.
-- A.P. Johnson, Zephyrhills

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