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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 23, 2001
Editor: Re: Fire commissioner calls for end to the nonsense, Oct. 14 opinion column by Jeff Webb.
I have to question Mr. Webb's reasoning on writing such a scathing commentary about the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District Commission and attacking two fire commissioners who look out for the taxpayers first.
We in Spring Hill have the best-trained, best-equipped and most efficient fire department around. In fact, other firefighters want to come to Spring Hill because they are better paid than if they work for other fire departments in the area. In essence, the fire commissioners in the past (prior to wannabe Commissioner Jeff Hollander) have looked out and taken care of their own. But Mr. Hollander chooses to chastise and take a position that only he and Chief Michael Morgan have the knowledge of what's best for the taxpayers of Spring Hill.
Mr. Hollander, the best thing you and Chief Morgan could do is resign. Then the commissioners and I believe Assistant Chief J.J. Morrison and our firefighters would function as one for the betterment of our community. Please, Mr. Hollander and Chief Morgan, how many other gaffes will it take before you resign?
Mr. Webb, I do not know if you live in Spring Hill, but if you do not, then I think you should ask the residents here how they feel before you run off at the mouth and give your opinion in an area you do not live.
P.S. The school district still needs to be looked at. Where is Webb when a real problem exists?
-- Alan Setelius, Spring Hill
Editor's note: Jeff Webb has lived in Spring Hill for 11 years.
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Fire district's biggest problem is Chief Morgan
Editor: Fire commissioner calls for end to the nonsense, Oct. 14 opinion column by Jeff Webb:
I question the facts, or lack of facts, that you may have had when writing your column. I am a very close friend of an employee of the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District. It is very unfortunate that my friend is not able to write this letter, due to fear of retaliation. I am not sure if you are aware that retaliation is the norm in the Spring Hill Fire District. My friend, whom I can't identify, has vented his frustrations to me on numerous occasions. Commissioner Jeff Hollander has stated that morale is very low at this time. Don't place the blame on Commissioners Dennis Andrews and Bob Kanner. We need to point the finger in the right direction.
You have stated that on numerous occasions Andrews and Kanner have been after Chief Mike Morgan. You are absolutely correct in your statement. You left out the fact that Andrews and Kanner have every right to be after the chief.
How long can Chief Morgan continue to make errors? How long can he continue to cost the taxpayers money? And how many times will he embarrass the very fine firefighters that we are so fortunate to have?
Commissioner Hollander wants to end the nonsense. Commissioner Hollander, if you truly want to end the nonsense, you need to look a little further into what is happening right under your nose. You cannot honestly run this fire district on what you are told; you need to look for yourself. Since you were elected, I noticed you have made one positive comment and that is when you asked the chief to resign. It was terribly unfortunate that Kanner asked him to return.
Let us take a look at just some of the blunders that Chief Morgan has made:
1. Hiring of noncertified firefighters.
2. Buying a brush truck for $50,000 without confirming where the money will come from.
3. Not following purchasing policies set forth by the county.
4. Placing the fire district in a third EEOC complaint. That is right, fellow taxpayers, this is not the first -- there was the Jay Leibman complaint, the Kathy Belcher case, and now Jennifer Couch. Three EEOC complaints in six years.
5. Then there is the situation of Chief Morgan violating confidentiality at executive session. What will it now cost to have a lawyer negotiate for the district?
I can go on and on with the blunders that have cost taxpayers money. I think I got the message across, but just in case we forgot, let me remind the public of the extrication seminar when the chief advised the board that this seminar was of no cost to the fire district. If I recall, this "freebie" cost the taxpayers a pretty penny.
Mr. Webb, I often enjoy your column, but I think you shot from the hip when you wrote this one. You have a very fine newspaper and a group of very fine reporters. May I suggest that your staff look a little deeper into the problems that lurk in the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District? You may be totally surprised at what you find.
John Thurston, Spring Hill
Editor: Recently my husband and I took advantage of visiting the Weeki Wachee Springs attraction, which is free for the day for Hernando County residents. Leaving the park left me with a very sad feeling because it is deteriorating so badly.
The curtain at the mermaid show has so many holes in it, and the grounds look so unkempt.
Why can't someone, or a group of people, restore this special park so we can be proud to take our visiting family members and friends to it once again? Something definitely needs to be done soon.
-- Jacqualine Govern, Spring Hill
Editor: Having been in politics awhile, I'm never surprised at what goes into press releases from politicians. But a recent one from state Sen. Ginny Brown-Waite borders on the ludicrous and laughable.
It was reported in the Oct. 15 Times that Brown-Waite was now going to get a license to possess a concealed weapon. I have no problem with her decision. However, the press release then states that "she will keep the .38-caliber gun in the glove compartment of her car."
Zounds! Some wacko who can't get a gun legally can now go to Brown-Waite's car, break into the glove compartment and -- voila -- a .38-caliber gun.
If this is the kind of muddled thinking Brown-Waite offers the electorate, then I think we'd better start seeking out someone with more common and practical sense. That's the least we can look for in our legislators who affect our everyday lives.
-- Dom Cabriele, chairman
Hernando Democratic Party
Brooksville
Editor: Re: Oct. 19 letter to the editor from Art McIntyre (about poor driving habits). Thanks for the help, Art, but nobody is listening.
I have had a book out for more than a year titled Law-Abiding Criminals, which specifically deals with this subject.
Also, in keeping with a proposal in my book, I submitted this proposal as a bill to be presented to the state legislators, through state Rep. David Russell Jr., R-Brooksville.
I also sent a copy of the bill to every state representative asking for their support, and maybe to save some lives.
Result? Nada!
So, Art, to be redundant with another old saying, "Save your breath to cool your soup!"
P.S. Anyone curious enough to hear more may write me at 5120 Landover Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34609-1628, or telephone 683-6242.
-- Luigi Faiella, Spring Hill
Editor: I moved to Florida 2 1/2 years ago. I first moved to Pasco County and just recently to Citrus County. If you are considering moving up here and using the Suncoast Parkway, wake up. Using the toll road is very expensive.
My husband gets on at U.S. 98 and gets off by West Shore in Tampa. It costs him more than $4 each way per day. It takes about one hour and 15 minutes to go this way and about 15 minutes longer to go the back way.
There are not many perks to using the road. The commuter rate gives you a 10 percent discount if you use the road a certain number of times per month.
Keep in mind that you will still have to work in either Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg or nearby. There are not too many jobs that pay very well in Citrus, Hernando or northern Pasco counties, even with all the growth.
-- Jean Jones, Lecanto
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