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Hernando Today

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 10, 2008

Residents Only

I am a resident of Hernando County and the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners is my elected governing body.

I am making a formal request of the commission that from this point forward proof of residency in Hernando County be required to be seated inside the commission chambers or allowed to speak at any future meetings, special sessions or public hearings. The only allowed exceptions to this policy are:

• The person to be seated is on the published agenda.

• The person to be seated is an elected official from another governmental body (not allowed to speak unless as an expert for the issue).

• There are no Hernando County residents wanting to be seated (non-residents are not allowed to speak for any reason).

I have attended several meetings and made my views known. I have seen the chambers packed to overflowing and know that there were a lot of non-residents in attendance.

There is no reason to have a non-resident in a seat that a resident could fill. We are what matters, not some special interest group that tries to fill up the chambers with people that will support them, then go back to their own county a leave the devastation in their wake.

Richard Ross

Brooksville

Commissioners Lack Vision

In regard to the deplorable suggestion that a reduction in our county's impact fees would somehow undo all the past decisions, the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (and past boards, as well) has made that have elevated the construction industry to be the main source of income/career paths for county residents.

The majority of this board, Commissioners Chris Kingsley, Dave Russell, Rose Rocco and Jeff Stabins, has consistently voted to and has effectively promoted the welfare of corporate builders and the "good old boy network" ahead of the welfare of the average citizen. This is only the latest case in point.

Any reduction in impact fees for new construction will: Simply create a shortfall in funds to support said new construction; only forestall the inevitable, more desirable direction of finding new industry to provide needed jobs/increase average wages; and sadly continue to promote the collapse of our county's economy.

This board's intent to pull the wool over the eyes of the citizens in this matter is unconscionable. Any vote to reduce, by any amount, a funding source that is designated to pay for the services required for each new dwelling unit built is a vote to continue the failings of the current direction. Such a decision would require citizens to again support the new development that we don't have a need for. Just like the Hickory Hill Project!

Citizens showed this board conclusively, with experts on that issue, that more new development was not needed; that Hernando County has a 25-year inventory of homes, and this was four years ago. But the majority of this board voted to allow thousands more new homes to be built on land that is currently home to a large herd of cattle.

Again. This proves, without a doubt, that the opposition to Hickory Hill was 100 percent right on target - as well as to the point that Commissioners Kingsley, Stabins and Rocco have no integrity, honor, or vision - as they all campaigned and promised to uphold timely, only necessary, residential development.

Maybe this board should check in with Sierra Properties and find out when that illustrious development is going to "save the county's economy" like they promised years ago. And while they are at it, someone should ask the tax collector if Hickory Hill is currently being taxed at an agriculture rate or at the highest and best use rate.

That would put several pretty pennies in our county's corporate coffer. Or not.

Sindra Ridge

Brooksville

Fix THE Bus

THE Bus has been the buzz of the county. There are some who want it and some who don't. Now for those who need it should be the survey - I mean really need it: the handicap and others without any transportation.

If we can figure out their needs, then let's figure it out.

As we all know, it is not used by many, yet for some it is needed and they do depend upon it.

Maybe we should try to figure that out and have the county commissioners to ride THE Bus and figure out what to do. Let's not waste our tax money on someone to come in and do that. I feel that should be a job of the county commissioners.

We need to help those in need, yet not waste what is not needed. So, I would say get on the ball and do some research that can help those in need.

Penny Golding

Ridge Manor

Get Facts Straight

In a July 6 Op-Ed piece titled "Report Would Turn Americans Against Israel" the author, Vernon Carles, writes about the attack on the USS Liberty in 1967. In his scathing report, he blames President Lyndon Johnson for wanting the USS Liberty sunk. He goes on to say that Sen. John McCain "went along with it."

I would like to remind Mr. Carles that in 1967 John McCain was in a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam. He was not a senator at that time. I think that before we put anything into print, we should get our facts straight.

Richard Berthel

Spring Hill

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