Letters to the Editors

Outlawing SLAPP lawsuits helps to protect our rights

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 12, 2000

Re: Legislature says one thing, does another, May 3 letter

Editor: The letter writer's complaints that the bill does not apply to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, or SLAPP suits, by business entities demonstrates that he completely misunderstands the intent of the legislation.

This bill has been floating around for several years in various forms. In the past the business aspect had been included, and because of it the legislation was consistently shot down. When state Rep. Fasano filed his bill it was intended solely to address SLAPP suits by governmental entities directed at individuals. He knew that to attempt to address the business aspect would surely destine this fine legislation to defeat once again.

The Legislature has taken the right first step by outlawing SLAPP suits against people who speak out against injustices by the government. The right to free speech is an integral part of our freedoms as American citizens. It is a right that should be guarded jealously. The Legislature should be given credit, not criticism for its courage to protect our rights.
-- Roland J. Quinn, Port Richey

With each new subdivision, county loses

Editor: I was very happy to read in the May 2 St. Petersburg Times that the officials of Pasco County have found a new source of water. By allowing the New River project to go forward, I have to assume that they have been holding back water resources so all those houses can be built. Or, are we going to have to stay on water restrictions to help this project survive?

Just the initial 3,000 homes are going to require 450,000 gallons a day minimum. This does not take into consideration the damage done by the road building, the stress on the rest of the infrastructure, etc.

The Libertarian view of this type of project is that a private venture should not be supported by the taxpayers. If it can stand on its own resources, without support from private citizens and taxpayers, then it would be considered. This project will not benefit anyone but the developers. They can then walk away and leave it up to the residents of Pasco County to put up with the traffic, school needs, more law enforcement needs, and on and on. I would say that, to be somewhat fair to the taxpayers of Pasco, $10,000 per house, up front, would be a start.

Even wild animals have the common sense to not overpopulate their environment. I am waiting for the announcement that water restrictions are now over and that our newly found source of water is coming on line.

Let's pay real close attention to all the candidates that are running for office this coming fall and see what they are going to do to us.
-- Jon Kueny, chairman, Pasco Libertarian Party

Are moonlighting officers drain on taxes?

Editor: During the audit of the Pasco Sheriff's Office accounting procedures, I have a few questions which I hope will be answered. How much money is charged a private person or business and placed into escrow to pay for the wear and tear on taxpayer funded equipment used by off-duty deputies who are moonlighting in uniform?

For example, I frequently see deputies with their patrol cars running, lights flashing, air conditioning on and hoods raised, either directing traffic for private enterprises or just sitting in their cars at construction sites for long periods of time. This has to put a lot of strain on those patrol cars.

I think Pasco County was recently forced to purchase more than 40 patrol cars. Also, because Pasco County is responsible for the actions of its uniformed deputies, do these private employers pay for the liability insurance needed to protect the taxpayers from inappropriate acts accidentally or deliberately committed by off-duty, moonlighting, uniformed deputies?
-- Sam Ward, Land O' Lakes

Dr. Mayer, don't turn away from GOP

Editor: Here is an open letter to Dr. Zoltan Mayer concerning his ouster as Pasco County Republican chairman.

The political tide has run against you, Dr. Mayer. but do not be bitter, bitterness will destroy you.

Try to remember, when one door closes another door opens. Even Nixon in 1968 and Clinton 1992 and 1996 came back from the political dead.

Stay with us in the Republican Party and on the Republican Executive committee, for you have so much to offer us politically, personally and professionally. You are a good and honorable man.

Why not become active in one of the Republican clubs such as the West Pasco Republican Club, and give the Buntings and the Second Amendment Club some friendly competition?

Remember this in politics, democracy in action. Stay with us and stay involved.
-- Henry P. McAlarney,Hudson

Infighting Republicans shame me, party

Editor: To the Republican Party: Where have you been all these many months? The fighting among yourselves. The greed, the want of power.

I am a registered Republican, of which I now am ashamed. The party does not need a doctor, a professional politician, a lawyer. What it needs is a good person with common sense.

Concentrate, think and feel for life before you vote. Stop voting for a friend, a personality. Vote for the right to bear arms, fly our flag. Use God in everyday conversation. Most of all, "grow up" Republican hopefuls. You are our and your own hope for the future.
-- Margaret Dyke, New Port Richey

Close gun show loopholes to save kids

Editor: In my efforts to secure respect for the preservation of the past, I have found myself in an equally uphill battle to secure the preservation of the future -- our children.

Every two hours and 24 minutes a child is killed by a gun in America. The suicide rate of our teenagers is five times greater in households that have guns.

In our most recent election a large majority of the Florida voters voted to close the gun show loopholes. Implementing this vote, however, was left to the discretion of each individual county. Pasco County commissioners voted unanimously to not close the gun show loopholes, thereby allowing individuals as well as unlicensed vendors to sell guns to anyone without first conducting a background check or utilizing a three- to five-day waiting period.

I ask all residents of Pasco to write, call or fax the Pasco County commissioners and demand a revote in the name of common sense to close the gun show loopholes.

On Mother's Day, May 14, 2000, there will be a march in Washington, D.C., as well as in cities across America, including Tampa, to stop gun violence and the proliferation of guns on the streets of America.

We here in Pasco have an opportunity to affect our community, not just for a day, but forever, by demanding that our voices be heard, our future, our children respected and the gun show loopholes closed. Please march if you can, but if you can't march you can still be a part of the collective heart of mothers everywhere who wish for the basic right of life for their children by demanding of our local elected officials that the gun show loopholes be closed.
-- Peno Hardesty, New Port Richey

Get facts straight on Ecstasy

Re: Ecstasy use invades local scene, April 23

Your article had a false statement in it: "Some are pure speed, some contain heroin, others contain LSD and occasionally the pills are just plain old aspirin."

The truth is, no pill that has been tested has ever shown to contain heroin. Even if heroin was in a pill the amount that could be placed in a pill would have no effect at all on the person taking it. Also, LSD is rarely found in Ecstasy if at all.

After someone who uses Ecstasy would see this article and see that you guys say it has heroin in it, they would think that heroin is not very harmful since it is in Ecstasy and Ecstasy isn't that harmful.

Sorry, but that is poor journalism. Please get the facts straight.
-- Marc Nelson, Vicksburg, Miss.

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