Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 1, 2001
Editor: I attended Hernando High School in the 1970s and went on to receive a diploma from the University of Florida and my law degree from Florida State University. I look back fondly on my graduation days and the fun I had with my school buddies. My adult working days are now filled with staid decorum and tedious professional demeanor, long from the hi-jinks of adolescence.
How misguided it is for the Hernando County schools to squeeze one last opportunity to punish students who demonstrate youthful exuberance at the final event of their childhood days, to withhold their diplomas because of a wave, or even banish them from the graduation ceremony for their pranks.
Fortunately, for me, Hernando High School cannot retroactively revoke my diploma for being so audacious as to voice my opinion.
-- Genie Buckingham Toner, Spring Hill
Editor: In response to the letters that were written in Sunday's edition about the youngsters who did pranks at Central High School.
My daughter is the senior class president who was involved in this matter. To Ms. Wyckoff, Vilmar Tavares and Mr. and Mrs. Strall, who gave their opinions on this matter in letters to the editor, I am going to give a little insight on the situation.
First, my daughter, along with the other three young ladies, came forward and confessed to what they had done after being tricked by our administrative staff at the high school, stating that if those who did come forward and confessed what they had done, and told who did the spray painting, they would be highly considered to walk at graduation. My daughter and the others did this, confessing only to the toilet paper, eggs and putting Silly String on the sidewalks. The ones who did the other parts of the painting came forward and said what they had done, and stated that my daughter, along with the other three girls, had nothing to do with it. Also, these girls were not there when the spray painting was done.
Second, my daughter is not a punk or a juvenile delinquent, per your childish comments. These kids did not do anything that has not been done before or will be done again -- a senior prank. These kids did not go out to hurt anyone or damage anything. I think school officials need to be more focused on violence and drugs and bombings in our schools.
As far as the parents taking a class, Mr. Tavares, I have raised my kids not to judge others, not to be liars, and not to disrespect authority. The one who has done this to them now is our school system. So, the one who needs classes is people like you who don't know the facts and our school officials.
Another factor is I, as well as the other parents, have fought this issue due to the factthat they were done wrong, and if they had not done the right thing, I or the other parents would not have fought it. There were others who did not believe the punishment fit the children's part in this prank.
None of you knows the facts of this story, only what you have read in the papers.
-- Barbara Mello, Brooksville
Editor: Re: The proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter to be located at U.S. 19, Spring Hill Drive and Osowaw Boulevard:
This letter is to Hernando County's busy and dedicated commissioners (if the public doesn't think so, watch television channels 14 and 19 once in a while, and you'll see). Also, John Ehlenbeck and the rest of the Hernando County Chamber of Commerce (some of whose remarks in the May 19 Hernando Times gave me "pause" and, should I say, "inspiration" to sit down and write):
Keep in mind that Spring Hill Drive is an east-west road, with an island in the middle, separating each direction. This can be tricky, especially to newcomers. Many accidents have happened there already. Also, there are long lines waiting and waiting for the lights to change. This is before big business moves into that location.
I would like to ask a few questions.
How many traffic lights are at those intersections now? Ever count them? Try it sometime (when you're stopped at one of the red lights, of course, and not trying to beat one). How many more will be needed for the trucks, more traffic, going in and out for their deliveries and purchases? More likely, it will be a place to avoid, no?
The Bayonet Point Mall on U.S. 19 also comes to mind. I bet it has been empty for 10 years or so, too far from other main stores in Hudson, I guess.
What's wrong with the Wal-Mart on U.S. 19 now? Just because you don't sell meat, fruit or vegetables there? All that goes bad quickly, anyway. Stick with the solid stuff.
The Wal-Mart in operation now is plenty big to get around in with a good choice and variety of products. Also, it's in a nice location with an attractive and sensible group of stores and restaurants. Even the movie house is handy. Also, there are good parking facilities and fairly easy access and exit areas to get back onto U.S. 19.
The other side of U.S. 19 has a variety of stores and shops, too. I bet a lot of residents in Timber Pines use much of it. I say, leave it alone. Besides, it keeps Spring Hill looking much like a country town should look.
Personally, I much prefer the store on U.S. 19 now to the one on State Road 50. That one is so big I have yet to get around the whole thing. Besides, there's no room in the cart to buy groceries, Easter presents, etc.
I resented the remark (in the May 19 edition) about catering to business wishes. I thought the government and departments connected to government were supposed to give some consideration to the people. Nah. That was the "good ol' days." Now, it's all money, money, money.
I would like to conclude with this: Did you know that the intersection being considered for another Wal-Mart is the official evacuation route for the Hernando Beach residents when there are hurricanes, flooding due to winds and high tides, and unexpected tidal surges? Remember the no-name storm of March 1993? I sure do. I was in it. Can you imagine what that intersection was like then?
-- Marie Carpenter, Spring Hill
Editor: Re: Ignore the water-rule enforcers; use micros, May 26 column by Barbara Fredricksen.
This is a Pasco story. Why is it in the Hernando Times? If it was to be carried in the Hernando Times, there should be information as to what is required in the city of Brooksville, and the county of Hernando, but there was not.
Therefore, we are left in the dark as to what we should do! Why? In the first part of the story, it is all about Pasco. The second item indicates the writer has visited Hernando County, and therefore knows there would be a Hernando County angle to the first story.
If this was an editorial decision to carry the Pasco story in Hernando, and completely ignore Hernando, then I think it was a wrong decision.
Can you run a follow-up story as to the Hernando County situation? Do we have relevant ordinances? Or do the Swiftmud ordinances control? Those of us who read your paper want to know, and are more interested in Hernando than we are in Pasco.
-- Monroe W. Treiman, Brooksville
Editor: Out of curiosity, would the Hernando Times and your reporter, Jennifer Farrell, have called Timber Pines a "well-manicured, gated retirement community" had it been a Republican like Bill McCullom who visited, rather than a Democrat like U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson?
Or would it have been called a community full of rich, uppity people, as Timber Pines has been portrayed so often by the Hernando Times? I suspect the latter.
-- R.G. Graeter, 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.