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Letters to the EditorsNo one more qualified than Dr. Tellone
© St. Petersburg Times, Editor: Re: Sanders zigzags to Lee's offer, July 24 Times: According to this news story, Hernando County School Board member Gail Coleman said "there is no one qualified to be superintendent in the school system." I am writing because I am concerned about the future of the Hernando County school system (I have a grandson beginning his school years in this county). I have known Dr. Wendy Tellone personally and professionally for the past 10 years. I was Tellone's executive secretary for almost seven years until I retired recently. I was insulted by Coleman's comment. I don't know of any person who is more qualified than Dr. Tellone. For the past six years, every time John Sanders was away at a conference or on vacation, Tellone was asked to fill in as acting superintendent. If she wasn't qualified, why was she asked to be acting superintendent? I also do not know of anyone who puts in more hours of her own time to the school system. Dr. Tellone is not only one of the most intelligent, but also one of the most caring, honest, sincere and knowledgeable persons I know. If Sanders leaves, Tellone, with her knowledge of the school system, is the most qualified. When Tellone acquired her doctoral degree, she wrote a paper on "Program Evaluation." This was the first time an evaluation system was available to make schools accountable for teaching programs in the Hernando County school system. After the program is approved by the School Board, it is followed up on to make sure it is working and that it made a significant difference. The state Department of Education in Tallahassee commended Tellone for this evaluation process and asked if it could be shared with other school systems for use. I would be interested in Coleman's comments about her qualifications to be a School Board member. It is a big responsibility to make important decisions on the future of our children and I really don't see any special qualifications mentioned that would make her an expert. Tellone at least has proven herself to be qualified by her record alone. She has been with the school system for approximately 27 years and has held many positions, i.e., teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, director of personnel and assistant superintendent. These are qualifications for the position of superintendent. Another important quality is that she is highly respected by her peers, teachers and staff. The school system has been in a financial crisis, and I can't imagine why a superintendent's search would be necessary at a cost of about $30,000 to $50,000 when a qualified person is right under its nose. It is known that every time the School Board has a superintendent's search, the person hired has only stayed in the system for a short time. Tellone has been in the school system for 27 years and has shown a commitment to Hernando County schools. I hope the School Board will think long and hard before making a decision to go out of state or out of county to look for a candidate. Tellone is the person qualified to move this school system ahead.
Is it the editor's job to make fun of residents?Editor: Re: Bowling stinks? Blame city that sinks, July 25 column by Wes Platt: Platt's moronic column about the woes of Spring Hill is akin to making fun of the victims of Hurricane Andrew. Certainly, the first part of his column regarding his bowling score had some humor in it. But to continue on and revisit all the names that Spring Hill has been called in the past few weeks edges on cruelty. We've heard them all before, and I'm sure the builders and homeowners along Mariner Boulevard were not amused. I thought the role of regional editors of the Times was to support local citizens, not make fun of them.
Thanks to fire leaders and firefightersEditor: Re: Need to start evaluating fire commissioners, July 11 letter to the editor from Nick Morana: Yes, there is a need to evaluate the fire commission. As a Spring Hill resident, I have seen for years all the good things that Chief Mike Morgan has done for this community. One thing was the brush truck. Florida was on fire all over. Our chief said we need this truck now. The fire commissioners approved it, and now we have it. They have already saved a lot of real estate and lives because of this truck. Having the proper equipment makes the difference when trying to put out the fire before it gets out of control. Thanks to the chief, this goal was obtained. I feel the fire district's high level of efficiency is because of the chief's great ability to run the department. And thanks to Commissioner Jeff Hollander, we have people who see the positive side of Chief Morgan. Hollander has been in his own business for 30 years, a record I do not think can be matched by the other commissioners. He is in no way the new kid on the block. I would like to thank our chief, commissioners, and all the dedicated firefighters for the great job they have done for our community.
Teens deserve skate park, shelter for runawaysEditor: How wonderful that strides are being made in Hernando County to give teenagers some overdue attention. I am speaking specifically of the new shelter for runaway teens and the proposed skate park. When families aren't functioning well, teens are usually the ones who fall between the cracks. In my opinion, service agencies (and bless them all for their work) seem more oriented to the immediate needs of parents and younger children. I have personally known a number of teenagers who bunked on the couches of friends and relatives because of an intolerable home life. The scenario is all too frequent: The mother or father has put her or his own desires or immediate gratifications (or those of the stepfather, stepmother, live-in boyfriend or girlfriend) above the needs of the minor children. I've seen it a thousand times. Even in seemingly functional homes, people give much more attention to small children ("Billy, did you draw that? You're so smart!") and are more forthcoming with affection. But teenagers also need to be hugged; patted on the back; told they are smart; congratulated for good deeds; thanked for any completed chore (no matter how small); and, most important, listened to without interruption when they share information. Many people simply communicate with their teenagers by letting them know how much of a burden they are to have around. I am thrilled there will be a place where displaced teens can go and, it is hoped, receive the resources they so desperately require. Also, I sincerely hope all store owners out there who have ever complained or called police when a group of skateboarders have encroached on their property, will fully support (financially, or with mail or phone calls to the county commission) the proposed skate park. This is a long-overdue, much-needed facility where teens can congregate and have fun while being properly supervised. And skateboarding is awesome, too! To all the powers that be, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for improving and strengthening the lives of the young adults in our community.
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