Letters to the Editors

Commissioner served us well

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 6, 2000

Editor: I was very disappointed in the way your paper decided to characterize the announcement of Commissioner Sylvia Young's intention not to seek re-election. While your paper may not have always agreed with her viewpoint or her actions, I think a newspaper with the reputation of the St. Petersburg Times could have done a much better job of documenting the accomplishments of a woman who has spent 20 years of her life serving the residents of Pasco County.

Commissioner Young in the early 1980s was one of the first elected officials to raise serious concerns about the well fields and their impact on the quality of life in Pasco County. She was also one of the first to fight for greater representation of Pasco County on regional water authorities.

I had the pleasure to first meet Commissioner Young in the mid-1980s when I went to her for support to fight a 500-kilowatt electrical transmission line, which Florida Power sought to construct through either Land O'Lakes or northern Hillsborough County. The ensuing battle pitted Pasco against Hillsborough as both counties sought to keep the electrical line out of their respective communities. While I was told by other elected officials that "You can't fight Hillsborough County; they always win because of their political clout," Commissioner Young not only supported our efforts, she encouraged us to show Hillsborough County that we couldn't be pushed around anymore.

The fight lasted nearly five years and consisted of a weeklong administrative hearing, numerous appellate court proceedings and three separate hearings before the Governor and Cabinet. Sylvia Young stood steadfast with us in fighting to keep this power line out of Pasco County. She attended the administrative hearing and offered her encouragement; she committed the support of the county attorney's office; and most importantly, she drove to Tallahassee to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us when we argued before the governor and Cabinet. Never once did she waver in her support of our efforts.

Lest we forget, it was also Commissioner Young who in the 1980s unanimously voted with her then-fellow commissioners to approve the bonds to finance the expansion of our first-class public libraries and recreational facilities (the envy of many other counties in the Tampa Bay area) and our public water and sewer facilities.

Despite an unfounded reputation to the contrary, I have always found Commissioner Young to be openminded and willing to listen to opposing viewpoints; however, pity the foolish individual who seeks to persuade her without a clear and full knowledge of the facts! I, for one, applaud and gratefully thank her for her years of service to our community and her perseverance in fighting to protect our water rights. Her retirement is well-deserved; she will be missed dearly, but she will never be forgotten.
-- Timothy G. Hayes, Lutz

Discipline not only thing that's lacking in schools

Editor: About our schools today: Why is it that an honor student for 11 years does not know how to address the graduation invitations to his family? His mother was shocked to find this out. He worked part-time in his 12th year, so he didn't make the honor roll.

When teachers are forever requesting raises, are they really teaching students? Most have the summer off and every holiday during the year plus teacher planning days. Most have substitutes and yet they are never paid enough.

There is very little discipline in school today and at home, but that is because parents are not allowed to spank their children. If you raise your hand to them, you hear "don't touch me or I'll call the cops and off to jail you'll go."

And the language used in the school yard and on the bus is foul. Some of this is on TV today, too.

Whoever started the dress code that allows boys to show their underwear should have their heads examined. Whatever happened to belts? The crotch on boys' pants today is usually down to their knees. And the ads in the papers show this. The wider the pant legs and the more ragged they are, the better they think they look.

As a grandparent, I will never understand the styles of today. Sure am glad our kids are grown up.
-- Alice McConaghy, New Port Richey

Columnist's experiences would make a good book

Editor: I have enjoyed Jan Glidewell's column for many years. In fact, 22 years, since we came to Florida. It's the first thing I read in the Pasco section the last couple of years. But when I read Jan had bought ground in Colorado and eventually is going to retire there, I was so disappointed as were many of his readers. I thought he would continue to write it at least several times a year for your paper.

I have had wonderful memories of him high on the flag pole at the Gulf View Mall; getting his autograph at the sheriff's breakfast; the cutting of his hair, (I like it long) and his weight loss.

He has made me laugh and cry with his kidding about his wife and boss. I have never been disappointed in his OFF/BEAT. We all were with him through his illness and that of his wife. I know he's getting on with his life. But I know I'm older, but never thought of him retired. He really should write a book of his many experiences in his life, both the good and bad, and his traveling days.
-- Shirley Baldwin, New Port Richey

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