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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 27, 2001
Re: Tennis plan not the best alternative, Nov. 20 letter
-- Editor: I agree with letter writer Joseph King: Pasco County does not need a tennis stadium. Now what to do with the $6 million in the tourism treasury. I have a suggestion that will solve more than one problem. Let's use the windfall to buy up and to promote what's left of Pasco County's real Florida -- it's beautiful and sensitive coastline. What could be more appealing to would-be tourists than the colors of sunsets and the sights and sounds of water birds soaring and feeding along our coastline?
As Times readers well know, what is left of our undeveloped coastline and coastal islands has been bought and is about to be developed. Many readers will recall the controversy that still surrounds the McCray/Williams property in Hudson, the narrow finger of mangrove-lined land extending into the Gulf.
Jim Williams has been trying to develop this property against the wishes of hundreds of Pasco residents. Well, let's make all of Pasco a winner. Draw from the $6 million and purchase such properties; then promote Pasco's real Florida to entice tourists to our beautiful county and our coastline. After all, many more people would flock to a county where the sun sets over mangroves, herons and roseate spoonbills and not over imposing housing projects and condos. Everyone wins: Pasco natives and their children have their valuable coastline preserved, Jim Williams makes his money, and tourists to our county can bask in a real Florida environment that other, less farsighted, counties have allowed to disappear forever.
We have the money. Surely we have the vision. Let's make this happen.
Richard Downing, Hudson
Re: It's not THAT kind of frat house, foes told, Nov. 14
-- Editor: Regarding the request for a lodge for Alpha-Lambda Chapter of the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, I take personal offense from Karla Owen's statement regarding the American Legion, VFW and Moose Lodges as a lower class comparison.
Obviously, Ms. Owens, you may be educated in law, but are sorely misinformed as to what these organizations stand for, do for the community, and have gone through to earn the right and purpose to have their space. These organizations are made up of American Veterans that have served their country, fought for your freedom, your right to education, and your right to practice law. They do not function for the sole purpose of having an animal house.
The American Legion sends children to college who might never be able to afford to go, makes Christmas happen for children in need, goes to schools and educates children about Americanism, holds picnics for the disabled Veterans, not to mention the substantial donations to local hospitals and organizations, as well as feeding the hungry when no one else will. All this is done out of their hearts and without further thought. Sometimes they get recognized for it and sometimes they don't, but they never stop caring and giving and working for the community.
Wonder what charitable donations would come from a lodge made up of attorneys?
C. Pepe, New Port Richey
Re: Council feud apparently heads to court, Nov. 21
-- Editor: This is the second time in as many weeks that I have read about some personal problem within the New Port Richey City Council.
I'm sure the residents of New Port Richey really feel confident that their concerns about their communities are being taken care of with this bunch. Yeah, right.
How can they possibly, when all these people seem to want to take care of is suing each other? How could they possibly concentrate on city business? They can't seem to keep out of each other's personal lives.
Can't these people relegate themselves to conducting city business and keep their sordid personal lives out of it and the public eye? This particular council sounds so dysfunctional it would be worth it to do a house cleaning and demand the resignation of all of them and appoint a whole new council.
Susan Falcone-D'Aquino, Hudson
Editor: I had an experience recently that has led me to believe I have the answer to reducing our dependency on Mideast oil.
As I exited the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Port Richey the other day I joined a line of automobiles on eastbound Ridge Road. My position in that line was a long rifle shot from U.S. 19. After three light changes I made may way to the front of the single eastbound lane. The fourth change I gleefully crossed U.S. 19.
Now, my solution to eliminating such a vexing problem is complicated, so I'll go slow. The right turn lane next to my single string through lane is always empty, so let's put a nice straight arrow alongside the right turn arrow, and remove the little island in front of the right turn lane, and we will have two eastbound lanes on one side of U.S. 19 meet two eastbound lanes on the other side of U.S. 19.
If my suggestion is feasible we might be able to tell the Saudi's to stuff their oil.
-- Lowell R. Baker, Port Richey
Editor: I am paying my real estate tax bill under protest.
While the inflation rate for this year and last has been 2.5 to 2.6 percent, you have raised my property tax by 6.5 to 7 percent. You are guilty of creating economic recession in the nation.
Social Security gives us 2.5 or 2.6 percent increases and you raise the property tax up to 7 percent. Last year, we got two new county commissioners and they wound up to be worse than the previous ones.
We shall remember what you did at the elections!
-- Anthony Ingargiola, Hudson
Editor: My husband and I have been involved in volunteer service in Pasco County for 13 years and have always been proud of and grateful for the kindness displayed by our response of our country to quickly come to the aid of those in need.
Recently there have been several articles published by the Times appealing to its readers not to forget the needs of their local communities. Speaking Up For Children Inc. is an organization designed to meet the needs of abused and neglected children represented by dedicated Guardian Ad Litem volunteers in the 6th Judicial Circuit of Pasco and Pinellas counties. As board members of Speaking Up For Children and volunteers Guardian Ad Litem, we are well aware of the frustrations our local charities are experiencing.
On Oct. 27, we hosted the fifth annual charity golf classic. On behalf of our organization we would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of our supporters. As always we are fortunate to have dedicated golfers, business owners, religious organizations, private donators and volunteers that all contributed to a successful event. In fact we received support from as far away as Texas and New Jersey. As the giving season rapidly approaches, please remember the local charities that work so diligently to meet the needs of our community.
-- Patrice and Rick Katzenstein, New Port Richey
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