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© St. Petersburg Times, published June 28, 2001
Editor: Jan Glidewell should be warned that his position as Pasco jester is in jeopardy. Jennifer Goldblatt is writing more humorous material, and she isn't even pretending it is anything but fact.
New Port Richey (the little burg that hoped to increase downtown traffic by widening both ends of Main Street to four lanes, and narrowing the bridge in town to two) is at it again. This is the city that moved the old -- 83 isn't old to most of the residents here -- church, and wants to move it again. Now the redevelopment director "wants to show Saturday morning cartoons in the Richey Suncoast Theater." He doesn't say where he will get the cartoons if the council isn't in session that week.
The chances of Gerald Paradise making New Port Richey the Hollywood of the South might be good if he can get Babe Ruth and Gloria Swanson to return to the Hacienda Hotel for a few personal appearances, but otherwise I suspect it is pretty slim.
I think Colleen Jenkins is also cultivating a subtle sense of humor and is running a close second to Jennifer. On June 19, she had an article about a student attending an FBI Academy and also reported that the governor rejected a grant that would give the New Port Richey Marine Institute access to the waterway. It leaves to the reader to deduce that the governor is too politically astute to let his name become associated with any activity in the New Port Richey area.
Jan, I hope you have prepared for retirement. It looks like there is a conspiracy to perform beyond anything you have ever insinuated.
-- Robert H. Proctor, Port Richey
Editor: Your persistent labeling of me as an "ally" of former Acting Mayor Bob Leggiere is wearing thin, and I find it necessary to scream out, "What part of 'no' don't you understand?"
How many times have I told you and Times reporter Matt Waite that I am not, was not and will not be any one person's ally while I am in public office? Rather, I am an ally of the people of Port Richey who voted me into office believing that I am, indeed, a woman of integrity.
"Self-described," as you put it? I think not. Rather, I am the epitome of integrity, so rare that even you fail to, or want to, recognize it. Remember, sir, I swore to uphold the laws of my city with one hand on a Bible and the other raised high and proud. It was a solemn and serious moment.
In your article you also questioned my voting against sanctions. Of course I did! Our city charter already has sanctions if an elected official interferes with daily operations, so why would I vote for something already in place? Specifically, and in three different sections, the charter states the procedures to remove an elected official from office.
You may criticize our city government any time, and in so doing, you can hide behind the privilege of free speech. As an American, I will even fight for our right to do so. But please, you need to do a better job of fact-finding and, like it or not, report the truth.
You and I are stuck with each other for 22 months. You'll spin and I'll rebut, so fasten your seat belts. We're in for a bumpy ride.
-- Phyllis Grae, Port Richey councilwoman
Editor: Isn't it absurd for all of the gasoline and diesel stations to add 0.9 cents on all of their signs and ads?
Many of the highway signs require mechanical equipment to reach and change these large signs plus considerable man hours. If they would all eliminate this stupid 0.9 cents, it'd be so much cheaper and a great deal easier.
I'm sure there is no way to calculate the added cost, but it must be monumental! It was probably a good selling tool when gas was a quarter a gallon because a penny's difference meant something. It's entirely different now when gasoline and diesel prices are close to $2. Who is going to worry about a penny?
It's obvious that the major oil companies get together to control the prices, so why can't they get together and display their prices like everyone else -- without the decimal point?
-- Al L. Meyer, Hudson
Re: Chamber group lobbies for rail, June 21.
Editor: The article cites the growing bay area. How can we grow without water? Our first priority and Gov. Bush's should be water pipes all over Florida. Desal all over the coast, and other water- and rain-saving ideas. Yes, in everybody's back yard. No pain, no gain.
The rail plan will dry up and blow away if the tri-county area dries up and blows away.
-- M. Gordon Rosser, Hudson
Editor: My husband and I have asked how we could start with a cleanup of State Road 52. As one drives west on State Road 52 from Interstate 75, one sees some very depressing sights. If owners of the properties would cooperate in a cleanup, we think we can find residents who would be glad to help in beautifying that stretch of highway.
If Florida had a deposit on cans and bottles, a good part of the cleanup would be taken care of. It would be nice if we could encourage people to take enough pride in Pasco not to pitch debris on the road sides. Those two options failing, we would be willing to participate in a pickup with authorization from Pasco commissioners. In fact, it would be nice if our commissioners initiate an ongoing cleanup of the county. Instead of financing a tennis facility at Saddlebrook, it seems there are more important ways to spend money in Pasco.
If our elected officials won't help, let's do it and look for new officials.
-- Harriet Robertson, Port Richey
Editor: Those who had the opportunity to witness the National Hockey League's entry draft last Saturday got to see the perfect example of how a professional athlete should appear in public.
These young men from many different countries and walks of life were extremely well dressed with shirts, ties and jackets and had sensible haircuts. It is no wonder that NHL players achieve headlines for performance on the job (on the ice).
Unlike many other major league players that dress in a manner to get recognition, disobey or fight their respective league's rules, and violate public laws, hockey players come to work looking like the gentlemen they are. Major league basketball, baseball and football players have got a very long road ahead to achieve class.
-- George A. Montgomery, New Port Richey
Editor: Every day, people get pulled over for speeding. Some of the men and women writing those speeding citations are deserving of citations as well.
The people who take an oath to uphold the laws are some of the worst violators of the law, like the young officer who crashed his police cruiser while going 85 to 95 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Many other of Pasco's finest are driving around like there is no tomorrow. Do they receive tickets? I do not recall reading if the officer who wrecked his car was fined. We civilians would more than likely receive a fine of $268 for going 40 to 50 mph over the speed limit and a charge of reckless driving.
The men and women who are paid with taxes that everyone has to pay to uphold the laws should be following the laws they swear to uphold.
-- Brad Smith, New Port Richey
Editor: Let me see if I understand the proposition.
First, Pasco guarantees the Women's Tennis Association $75,000 per year for 10 years. Then the Tourist Council spends who knows how many millions to build a tennis stadium for a guarantee of at least one major tennis event per year. Then Saddlebrook promises to assume management and cover any operating losses.
Does this sound kosher to you?
This endeavor is supported by Ed Turanchik, who says $75,000 is a small price to land the WTA. Doesn't he mean $750,000? Of course this amount is small considering the millions he is trying to float to get the 2012 Olympics.
I don't know if there are enough tennis fans in the Tampa Bay area to fill a 4,000-seat stadium. Attendance at sporting events, except for the Bucs, has not been great. Who stands to benefit from this deal? Keep an eye on the money.
-- Joseph King, Hudson
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