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Some leaders' response to tragedy questionableBy P.C. BOWEN
© St. Petersburg Times, Thousands of Pasco residents gathered for two nights this week to remember the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Candles and flashlights illuminated faith and patriotism. The communal bonding was a traditional response to a non-traditional event. We've worked hard, prayed harder, donated blood and cash to try to overcome the distraction of the happenings in New York and Washington. Last week, Gabrielle and an unscheduled day off gave many a short respite and a chance for a weekend diversion from the 24-hour news cycle. In our household, father and younger son ventured to Busch Gardens where security guards searched the stroller, backpack and lunch box before allowing entrance. Reality returned Monday with the decline of the stock market that shrank the 401(k) closer to a 201(k). Pardon the stab at humor, but coping is individualistic. Which brings us to the point of this column. The coping strategies exhibited by some of our locally elected officials range from distorted public policy to bizarre conspiracy theories. It wasn't all off the wall. Dade City employees and commissioners had a brief prayer ceremony. San Antonio Mayor Roy Pierce played Proud to be an American and said he will play it before meetings until all victims are found or recovered. County commissioners passed an emergency resolution condemning the attacks, conveying empathy for victims' families and asking local residents to donate blood. Rep. Heather Fiorentino did a commendable job organizing the rally Thursday evening in Sims Park. But, here's three examples that left people scratching their heads: Zephyrhills City Council President Cathi Compton wants to write a check with other people's money. Compton says the city should donate $5,000 to $10,000 to relief efforts. The money is sitting in an account earmarked to publicize the city. There's $12,000 that hasn't been spent. Compton's desire to participate is understandable, but you have to wonder about the wisdom. This is the same council that did nothing extra when one of its own police officers, an off-duty detective, died in a hit-and-run accident three months ago. The June crash killed Detective Harvey "Butch" Hillis Jr., 46, 13-year veteran of the department and his wife, Donna, 33. It left their 3-year-old daughter orphaned. The community began a trust fund at a local bank to help finance the child's future education. Compton did not ask the City Council to authorize a contribution. How come? The tragedies in New York and Washington were horrific. But maybe this council should consider the fate of the family of one of their own deceased employees before pledging public money for the same purpose elsewhere. Apparently, that notion is taking root. City Manager Steve Spina said Friday the staff on Monday will present alternatives to the Council, possibly including allowing a firefighters' boot drive or other fundraisers and expanding the policy of paying for current city employees to become police officers. Spina said the city could extend that benefit to would-be firefighters, as well. If Compton's idea is misguided, then consider Peter Altman's so far out of place Rand McNally couldn't help it. The county commissioner suggested Tuesday that it might be worthwhile to to move up the scheduled referendum on a proposed increase in the sales tax. Altman said it would allow the public the opportunity to practice democracy and, if approved, help stimulate the economy via new capital construction that would be financed with the $22-million that could be raised annually. Wrapping Old Glory around a new tax was ill advised. Check the letters elsewhere on this page for a sample of the overwhelming public sentiment. Then there's New Port Richey Council member Tom Finn. He reported to the FBI that he may have had a chance encounter with one of the terrorists two years ago during a redevelopment conference in Delray Beach on Florida's East Coast. Give Finn credit for passing on his suspicions to the proper authorities. If correct, it could help establish a time line of how long suspected terrorist Mohamed Atta was in the United States. But here's hoping he kept a lid on his own ideas as to why Atta would have been at the conference. The roster of participants included Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris and Department of Community Affairs head Steve Seibert. Finn theorized they could have been potential targets for violence. We kid you not. But, let's face it, the Department of Community Affairs faces a more realistic threat from legislators seeking to neuter its authority.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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