Letters to the Editors

Breakdown brings out best in fellow motorist

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 19, 2000

Editor: The residents of Pasco and Hernando counties should be pleased to know that highway courtesy is alive and well.

Yesterday, just three hours after having a new battery and alternator installed in my car at a local garage, my car stalled 200 feet short of an intersection on the southbound lane of U.S. 19 and Spring Hill Drive. Nothing electrical functioned, no horn, no hazard lights, no taillights, no turn signals, no power steering. I promptly exited the car and stood about 20 feet in back of the car and waved a small towel to warn the oncoming cars to change lanes to avoid a collision. In a matter of minutes a car pulled up to me and two gentlemen got out and immediately pushed my car off the roadway.

Except for an occasional flat tire, this was the first time in 60 years of driving that I had experienced a highway breakdown. The driver of the car who came to my rescue who I later learned was Mr. Leon Kreisler, president of Gulfview Automotive, took immediate action -- he called for a towing service then called his office and requested that a staff member come to the scene and take my wife home. My wife has a heart condition and is diabetic. His gallantry, human kindness and generosity are deeply appreciated and what could have been chaos was smoothly resolved thanks to Mr. Kreisler. His valor is appreciated. Thank you Mr. Kreisler.
-- John S. Marutiak, Spring Hill

United Way helps make "Day of Caring' a success

Editor: We're writing this letter to share with you another example of how United Way of Pasco County continues to benefit this community. On Sept. 28, Rose Bentley of United Way orchestrated a "Day of Caring" for many social service agencies throughout the county, and some of those events were reported in the Pasco Times. At the Good Samaritan Health Clinic we were extremely fortunate to have the American Red Cross with us for much of the day conducting CPR training for our clinic staff, nurse volunteers and others.

Kevin Jensen of the American Red Cross did an outstanding job teaching the CPR class, and all clinic participants received a lot of valuable information. Who knows when and where we might save a life because of that experience.

Our Good Samaritan volunteers work hard to provide quality health care to the uninsured needy residents of Pasco County. We couldn't do that without community support, our affiliation with United Way of Pasco County, our partnership with many community agencies and our wonderful group of dedicated volunteers.

The Good Samaritan Health Clinic's "Day of Caring" was a tremendous success, and because our community cares, Pasco County is a better place to live.
-- Barbara A. Holton, executive director, Rick Bailey, clinic coordinator, Good Samaritan Clinic

Editor: As participants in United Way of Pasco County's "Day of Caring," a crew of nine volunteers from Turtle Lakes Publix Supermarket in Land O'Lakes invaded the Pasco Food Bank on Sept. 28. With skill and good humor they wielded rollers and brushes and transformed the Food Bank's office and bathrooms from institutional beige to sunny yellow.

Thank you to crew coordinator Janet Ferguson and painters Mike Aitken, Craig Brown, Tina Cash, Mike Dulhanty, Miriam Hansford, Rick Hutchins, Mary Stanjeski and Rick Stapleton for brightening our environment!

We appreciate the efforts of Rose Bentley, United Way "Day of Caring" program coordinator, and our committee coordinator, Barbara Holton of Good Samaritan Health Clinic, in organizing the event.
-- Ken Buck, Pasco Food Bank, Land O'Lakes

Rest home made father's final years comfortable

Editor: My father had Alzheimer's disease for more than eight years. He passed away this week. He stayed at the Westbury House. The health care staff treated my father in a kind and professional matter. The food was good. The rest home was kept clean.

You hear a lot about the inadequate care that some rest homes offer; this was not the case at Westbury House. Please do not judge the rest home industry by a few bad stories that you read about.
-- Mark Drebin, New Port Richey

-- Many letters to the editor we receive are expressions of gratitude and do not belong on the editorial page, where our goal is to foster discussion of issues and news events. Letters of thanks is an occasional column to accommodate such letters. Please mail to 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668, or e-mail to Pasco@sptimes.com.
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