Letters to the Editors

Don't abuse the privilege of speaking

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 10, 2001

Editor: Re: Public input, yes. Public rudeness, no, Aug. 31 Times editorial:

Hardly anyone who watches Hernando County Commission meetings on television, or attends in person, is interested in hearing the diatribe heaved at commissioners each meeting by the same group of malcontents, except perhaps those people themselves.

One newspaper observed this group is even dressing nicer because they're being televised. (Is it possible they also watch their performances again and again on tape?)

The opportunity to speak at commission meetings, as the Times editorial pointed out, is a privilege, not a legal right. The commissioners should be commended, not subjected to abuse, for extending this privilege.

There are many ways to rein in abusers. Your editorial mentioned several. Here's another: Stop feeding the egos of this group. Discontinue televising the "public input" portion of these meetings. Televise only the portion of the meetings that deals with the business agenda, the portion of greatest interest to viewers.

This denies no one his or her right to freedom of speech. There is no right to have one's speeches televised, and the commission should not feel obligated to do so.

Print media present at meetings have the smarts to report any meaningful concerns expressed by residents and to cull out the trash talk, sparing television viewers this pain.

There are other methods of control, as well. Microphones have on/off switches. Designate an official timekeeper (the county attorney?) with responsibility to turn off a speaker's microphone when the allotted three minutes has expired.

After the public's nontelevised input is received, dim the lights in the audience section of the room. Focus the lighting and attention on the commissioners and those people recognized by the commission to speak at the podium on agenda matters. The number of people in the audience and their identification are unimportant to viewers. It's only important to those who want to be seen by others, or by themselves on tape.

Lastly, is there no sergeant-at-arms (or equivalent) at these meetings to help ensure speakers leave the podium when their allotted time is up, and to help maintain general order? If not, perhaps there should be.
-- Larry Weier, Spring Hill

Jewelry repair can bevitally important

Editor: I have a warning to anyone who takes jewelry to a jewelry store. I have a special-made "tag" to alert anyone in an emergency that I have a pacemaker, which is vital to my life after several heart surgeries.

The tag was not made correctly and it fell off my ID bracelet. I did not miss it for several days. Now, I realize it is gone. It costs $105.

Have your jewelry repairs checked often. I am now without my important gold jewelry.
-- Mary Elizabeth Koogler, Spring Hill

Who will maintain beautified medians?

Editor: My hat is off to those involved in the project to beautify Spring Hill Drive.

Before the County Commission allots any more money for continuation of this project, there are some things which should be looked at. First, who is going to maintain these medians?

For example, a year or so ago the ends of a number of medians were planted by various organizations. Up until just recently, these areas were so overgrown with weeds, one couldn't make out what had been planted to beautify these areas.

To spend money on these medians is a waste when a good number of homeowners along that area of Spring Hill Drive couldn't care less how their properties look. Lawns are not mowed, boats are stored in the yards, and cars are parked on the front lawns. As a deed-restricted community, shouldn't this include not parking boats on the property?

The final area of concern is the area between the sidewalks and the street. Broken asphalt and ditches are evident in many areas. In some cases, the homeowners never mow the grass there. Why don't we just dig all those areas out and put down asphalt from the sidewalk to the street?

We moved to Spring Hill four years ago and really love the area. Any time we have visitors, however, we avoid taking them on that part of Spring Hill Drive because of its appearance. To make Spring Hill Drive look like an area we are proud of, it will take the effort of a great number of people. This would mean the county taking care of the medians and the homeowners taking care of their property on a regular basis.
-- Bob Pierson, Spring Hill

Hospital battle focuses too much on bottom line

Editor: I had the pleasure -- or displeasure -- of attending the meeting on Aug. 29 at the Ridge Manor Community Center, concerning Brooksville Regional Hospital's proposed move.

I have been a resident of Hernando County for 21 years, five of those in Ridge Manor. Several were in attendance to witness the squabble that arose between Tom Barb (Brooksville Regional Hospital's CEO) and Jamie Wesolowski (Oak Hill Hospital's CEO).

Previous letters to the editor have mentioned the "bottom line." Well, in my opinion, the "bottom line" is Barb wants to place the new hospital where the money is. Wesoloski does not want the new hospital built at the proposed site because Oak Hill does not want to give up a piece of the Spring Hill pie. Another bottom line is that neither hospital cares about eastern Hernando County. As one lady who spoke put it, "cause nobody lives out there."

Once again we were told that a hospital in eastern Hernando would not survive due to the fact that we go to Dade City or Zephyrhills hospitals. We also were made aware of a survey that found only three patients a month were from Ridge Manor. That probably is true, since we really don't have much recourse.

Mr. Barb's battle cry seems to be "location not for negotiation," as that is what he kept hammering at us for two hours.

Don't ask me what I think of a Ridge Manor resident who would actually campaign for such a move farther west. I certainly pray that they or their loved ones do not have their lives depend on those extra miles. I don't believe any of us attending that meeting were foolish enough to think a hospital would be built in Ridge Manor, but we certainly should build it closer, not farther.
-- James M. Stout, president Ridge Manor Estates Property Owners Association

Safety is more important than winning rat race

Editor: Re: Signal debuts to mixed reviews, Sept. 4 Hernando Times:

Finally, the 50 mph-plus speeding on the Deltona 500 has been slowed by the installation of a long-overdue traffic light at Abeline, due to the efforts of safety-minded citizens of Timber Pines. The once-dangerous intersection has now become a much safer entry to the heavily traveled Deltona Boulevard.

I am sure the majority of residents of the immediate vicinity are elated with the improvement, as it makes their lives less stressful as they enter the mainstream during rush-hour traffic.

On the other hand, there are those who are disgruntled and believe the monies spent are a waste of tax dollars. Certainly, Eugene Geczi remembers the accident killing a neighbor a year and a half ago in the very area in question. This is the same man who thinks Timber Pines residents' were mollified out of purely selfish reasons by this installation. Timber Pines residents hopefully contribute greatly to the economic well-being of Spring Hill.Safety is the key issue for all involved, so keep this in mind, Mr. Geczi, as you enter theslowed-down rat race on Deltona.
-- Arthur Raenke, Spring Hill

Laws needed to manage area's population growth

Editor: As Florida's population and economy continue to boom, we must pause for a moment and consider the impact of growth in our state, county and communities. In this past session, the Legislature unsuccessfully attempted to enact a law that would address growth management.

House Bill 1647 included valuable recommendations from the Growth Management Commission. The recommendations highlighted three key areas that must be included in any successful growth management bill: school facilities planning, a cost-benefit analysis, and an enhanced and focused state role.

The Legislature can no longer afford to ignore the important issues addressed in growth management. In the upcoming session, we must pass legislation that will effectively address the issue of growth management. The bill needs to incorporate the recommendations of the Growth Management Commission with other common-sense guidelines to ensure that all Floridians benefit from responsible growth.

During crucial planning stages, it must be determined whether an area has adequate infrastructure, police and fire services, and educational facilities to support proposed growth. Most important, the state needs to mandate that local governments work with school boards, water management boards and public safety providers to ensure that responsible growth-related decisions are being made.

If all government entities work together along with citizens, we can ensure the sustainability of Florida's economy and environment while continuing to provide a good quality of life for all Floridians.
-- Heather Fiorentino, state House of Representatives District 46

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