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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 1, 2001
Editor: Re: Radios a waste of public funds, Feb. 28 Hernando Times:
It is unusual for me to reply to letters printed in the newspapers. At this time I feel it is necessary for me to defend my board from the letter written by former county emergency manager David Casto.
Mr. Casto has three concerns in his letter and I will attempt to answer those concerns. His concerns of the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District commissioners interfering on fire scenes are serious concerns. There are laws that prevent non-certified firefighters from interfering on operational scenes. If the commissioners are not familiar with these laws they will be familiar with them before they receive radios.
I, for one, have appeared on scenes for the last six years and all I have done was receive an education on the operation of our fire district. That is the reason behind the radios (education for our commissioners). As for emblems on commissioner's vehicles, the Fire Commission has never approved such a purchase.
Mr. Casto does not seem to have all the facts in reference to the responsibility of the fire commissioners. Please allow me to quote a section of Ordinance 73-12, Section 4: "Duties of the Board of Commissioners: The Board of Commissioners shall perform all duties necessary for the establishment, operation, maintenance, and control of firefighting units, fire control units, and ambulance service units." To complete our responsibilities to the taxpayer it is very important to see and hear what is going on.
And finally, Mr. Casto has a legitimate concern that our firefighters don't have the best equipment. Please understand that our personnel have only the best. If it was a matter of radios vs. extrication equipment, believe me the radios would be last on the list. Again, allow me to confirm that our firefighters have the best equipment to work with.
The statement has been made that the fire commissioners spent $5,000 on their radios. This is not true. We approved the purchase of three radios for a total cost of about $4,800. These radios belong to the district. They are spare radios that the commissioners will be listening to when they are not needed for operational reasons.
Mr. Casto states that he is proud of the men and women of the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District. Let me state that I also am very proud of our employees. Please do not mistake the reason for the radios. They are going to be used to educate the commission. I also am very proud we now have a fire commission that is more than a rubber-stamp committee. We now have five commissioners who are ready and willing to serve the public.
-- Robert Kanner, chairman, Spring Hill Fire Rescue Commission
Editor: Re: Family fights bigotry in the neighborhood, Feb. 27 Hernando Times:
I read with dismay the Monday article about the MacNaughton family and their unacceptable experiences here in our community. I wanted to take a minute to assure the MacNaughtons that their victimization most certainly is not the type of behavior we condone in this community.
It is the work of very disturbed, misguided individuals with no purpose to their life but to inflict emotional harm on others so that they may feel good about themselves.
I can assure the MacNaughtons that no matter how these folks view themselves, they are neither Christian nor spiritual. They are the antithesis.
-- Gerry Todoroff, Brooksville
Editor: A letter for the Southwest Florida Water Management District:
Hello! Are you listening to what your community is trying to convey to you? You were given this position hoping that you had the right qualifications. We understand progress is necessary, but at whose expense? Why keep building when the rest of the communities have to suffer for what you call progress? Wake up and help us with our water needs.
Florida is surrounded by water. Where is the problem? With so much advanced technology there should be an answer.
-- Betty Sipniewski, Spring Hill
The Hernando Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.
Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length.
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.
Send your letter to Hernando Times, 161 E Jefferson St., Brooksville, FL 34601. Send letters by electronic mail (in text only format) to hernando@sptimes.com.