Northoftampa: Let school name reflect New Tampa

After reading the editorial of Sept. 30, "Values revealed in school's naming," I too marvel, not at the ignorance of the historical figures that "made this community," but instead, of the arrogance of those that think they and their contingencies, from whatever position they hold, should dictate policy and hold the reins on what happens all around them.

We are all very sorry that us ignorant folks in New Tampa, who are paying some of the highest millage tax rates in the state, would want to have anything to say about what "our" high school should be named. Please forgive us for wanting the name to reflect what our local community might want, rather than what successful former Hillsborough High students think it ought to be.

What if anything do they have to do with New Tampa? How many of them are neighbors in our community or plan to have their children attend the new high school? How many of them are going to put in the hours that our parents will, to make the school great? I know the answers to these questions and so do you.

Here is a thought: Change the name of Hillsborough High to Farnell High. Or how about a statue? Or name the stadium after him there. Certainly it's important to those individuals that support him, and this would be an even greater honor.

I do not debate Mr. Farnell's guilt or innocence in any legal matter, or the fact he may have done some good things for his students or community. Certainly there is controversy regarding him. He holds no high place in the minds of us ignorant New Tampa folks. So how about listening to and hearing us for a change.

We too have "staked" our families here and started our own businesses. Perhaps, though, as John Hill has brought up, we haven't contributed to the right political campaigns. He is right in that regard; there is "no better illustration" of what separates old from New Tampa.
-- Mitchell B O'Hara
Tampa Palms

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Let school name reflect New Tampa