Letters to the Editors

HMO refugees run for coverage in other counties

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 1, 2000

Editor: As you know, the HMOs are pulling out of Hernando County. I am planning to sell my house and move to Pasco so that I will be eligible for an HMO.

If it doesn't sell before the HMOs pull out, I may move to Pasco in a travel trailer. There will most likely be others doing the same. There are already refugees here in Hernando County who have fled their home county in search of life-sustaining prescription drugs. Now they will have to flee again to follow the HMOs.

My question is: If you had a sudden influx of refugees, would you be prepared? There could be up to 9,800 HMO members plus their families. Not to mention all the other counties that have been dropped. There might also be relatives of HMO victims and church groups, clubs, organizations, etc., there to make sure the survivors are well accepted.

I think you would need things such as, well, you know, the standard refugee package that taxpayers give to every other country in the world -- a few troops, food, water, medicine, doctors, clinics, sanitation, utilities, money, etc.

Maybe FEMA could help. Maybe Gov. Bush should be informed. I suggest you alert the richest county close to you because it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that you could be next. Hernando County, in desperate need, will be forever grateful for your pity and help.
-- Roy Betts, Spring Hill

Beautiful 110-year-old deserved recognition

Editor: I had the pleasure of attending the County Commission meeting to receive a plaque for an entry in the Senior's Essay Contest. Six of us received awards for our essays.

I'm happy to say that we were overshadowed by the most charming little lady I have ever seen, who received a certificate for reaching 110 years of age.

Daphne Brand outshone everyone there with her style and class. A true winner.

It's too bad the media gave all their attention to the Chamber of Commerce's attempt to beautify U.S. 19. Mrs. Brand was much more beautiful.
-- Kathryn L. Robinson, Holiday

Parents, delinquent teens should do public service

Editor: I read recently about the new law to start around Oct. 1. It stated that parents will be charged daily and/or monthly fees for teenagers' crimes when put in boot camp or juvenile prison.

Then it said the fee can be canceled if the judge thinks the family cannot afford it. I would like to suggest that all the parents (with or without money) be made to perform some type of community service together with their teenagers. It could serve in two ways: one, by getting things done in the town; and two, by getting parents and teens closer to each other.

I hope this can be of some use to helping everyone, including teens, parents and public.
-- Robert Kern, Port Richey

We must keep ourselves informed and vote

Editor: Wake up Pasco County, get your copy of the Times and read what's going on in your county government.

Tax Collector Olson, a Democrat, is attacking fellow Democrat Hap Clark, a Democratic county commissioner, and blaming Mr. Clark for the lack of water and the overdevelopment of Pasco, and also claiming Mr. Clark is beholden to the developers.

Mr. Clark has one vote on this commission, and Mr. Olson says his thinking has been fuzzy this last term. Does Mr. Olson think he's losing control and Mr. Clark is taking control of the commission? The Times article refers to Mr. Olson as the godfather of Democratic Party in Pasco; if that is the case, could Mr. Olson give us an assessment of the other county commissioners presently serving?

I agree there is too much development for the water available, and lack of classroom space and the lack of teachers are all caused by our development. Mr. Olson's assessments could lead to the election of a better commission. My figures may not be exactly correct, but the tax collector makes as much or more than the governor; and the commission members make twice as much as the average working person in Pasco County. Maybe we citizens should take the time to go to the commission meetings.

Maybe there is a reason some would get upset if their elected seat was being contested.

I would hope that all citizens of Pasco are aware there is an important election just around the corner. How you vote is your business, just vote and vote to save what's left of Pasco County.
-- Ernest Britton, New Port Richey

Kudos to commissioners for hiring turkey overseer

Editor: May I congratulate our county commissioners for recognizing the talent of Zoning Administrator Fred Lowndes and appointing him to the Fly and Odor Control Board that oversees the spreading of wet chicken manure as fertilizer. I wish him success in his new job and may he continue to great heights as a turkey overseer.
-- Rudy Sinkovich, New Port Richey

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