Letters to the Editors

Why not extra pay to all workers doing their job?

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 2000

Editor: I'm sorry; I must have missed something in your report about the county administrator authorizing extra pay for himself and the emergency management officer. Didn't we hire an emergency management officer to work during emergencies?

So, when one occurs, we have to pay him more?

And what did the county administrator do over and above his normal duties to earn extra pay?

What's next, extra pay for firefighters if they respond to a call, or for a deputy if he/she stops a speeder?
-- Tom Malone, Spring Hill

Dogs and their owners deserve their own park

Editor: For centuries, dogs remained at our sides doing all the tasks that we have put on them. Early man used the dog as a hunting partner.

Dog work has progressed in the unconditional love they offer as therapy dogs. Police use them to sniff out bombs and drugs. Medicine is using their talents to detect skin cancer. They bring functionality back to the lives of the blind, the deaf and epileptics. They are our truest friends. They ask nothing for the heroic tasks they perform, except for praise. That is music to their ears.

It is time to give back to them with a dog park. There is enough land to provide responsible tax-paying citizens the opportunity of allowing their dogs to run, play and smell the clean air. Currently our parks do not even allow leashed dogs.

The bond between man and dog overcomes this unwelcome attitude. Many other residents have their recreational needs answered. It's time to give back to our best friends.

In the words of 15th century King Frederick the Great, "I never met a dog I never liked."
-- P. Lavoie, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Spring Hill

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