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Hernando Today

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2008

Many Good Reasons To

Vote 'No' On Independence

I have lived in Spring Hill for 27 years, and I have kept abreast of the pros and cons of our Spring Hill Fire Rescue District. Through the years, we have had good and not-so-good fire commissioners and officers. But one thing stands out in my mind: We have a highly efficient and dedicated group of firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. This will never change.

Now we are asked to vote for independence - do they deserve it? I don't think so.

Here is some information which may help you decide how to vote:

Those supporting a "yes" vote for independence tell us that under independence we will maintain local oversight. This is not true. With independence, if you are dissatisfied with your local fire board, you have to go to Tallahassee to complain. Gov. Charlie Crist has bigger fish to fry than to be concerned with our fire district.

They also tell us that the 911 center should be independent of the county's 911 dispatch center. The truth of the matter is one person has died because a 911 call had to be transferred to Spring Hill and the call was lost. Consolidated dispatch would have avoided that problem from occurring. Under consolidated dispatch, the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District will save more than $400,000 per year. This is not chump change.

We are told that the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District needs to control its own spending without the county's oversight. Keep in mind that the clerk of the court has already uncovered numerous spending problems with Spring Hill Fire Rescue - some have bordered on fraudulent spending and possible insurance fraud. The county clerk has already stated in public that when she writes a check for Spring Hill Fire Rescue, she has trouble sleeping at night. We also find that numerous Spring Hill firefighters carry government credit cards. Why?

We are told that under consolidation, Spring Hill will lose some of its service and even the closure of a firehouse. Just the opposite is true. Under consolidation, Spring Hill Fire Rescue will gain three additional firehouses at no cost to Spring Hill. The county fire house on State Road 50 and Deltona Boulevard will respond into Spring Hill. A truck at the county fire house at the Hernando County Airport can turn left and be in Spring Hill in two minutes. A truck at the county fire station on Barclay Avenue can cut through The Oaks and be in Spring Hill in less than two minutes.

Under consolidation, your service will increase and your taxes will decrease.

Keep in mind that under the new county study there are no longer boundaries among Hernando County, Spring Hill and Brooksville fire districts. Every fire district will automatically respond out of their area. This is called automatic closest response. Automatic response is a very good thing.

Now let's ask ourselves the main question. If there are no boundaries, every fire district will automatically respond outside of their district, then why do we need so many fire departments in one small county such as Hernando County? The people living in Spring Hill proper can call 911 and get a Hernando County engine and ambulance. The people living in the Hernando County Fire District can call 911 and get a Spring Hill ambulance. What is the difference? The difference is living in Spring Hill in most cases you are paying too much - much more for your fire tax than the people living in Hernando County. The services and the quality are the same no matter where you live.

The medical director who oversees training is the same, the state criteria is the same. The ISO rating that determines your homeowner's insurance premiums is the same. The only difference is the cost to the taxpayers. There is just too much money in the coffers of the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District. Look for yourself. Take a look at a $1.5 million fire station refurbished on Spring Hill Drive and Whitewood Avenue.

We need local control. Thank God that Hernando County now has a no-frills administrator. Allow David Hamilton to be your local oversight. He has already proven himself by putting an end to the shenanigans in the county's human resource department. He cleaned up emergency management.

Vote "no" on the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District referendum.

Nick Morana

Spring Hill

Paybacks Due In 2009

OK, the people in public office have succeeded in losing 25 percent of our entire country's gross value in one year, so it's time for them to cut their salaries and benefits by that amount across the board.

I listen to the business news daily and hear about $3.2 trillion evaporating from the stock market. Trillions more from banks. Who knows yet how many trillions from the housing market? There certainly will be a $5 billion more in lost wages and benefits after all the company closings over the next few months.

The United States is in hock for nearly $11 trillion with no end in sight as it piles up another trillion at a time in bailouts of the banks and investors.

Every single federal office holder must take an immediate 25 percent cut and also be investigated for their part in the collapse of the U.S./world economy.

There should be a special prosecutor established to go after all these sleazy business and political carpetbaggers (leaders) who have pulled off the biggest flimflam in recorded history.

Why is the Treasury bailing them out now? Because they are in lock step with them. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson leaves in three months with the president and his whole cabinet.

Investigate them all.

Doug Adams

Spring Hill

Vote 'Yes' To Save Jobs

I support Spring Hill Fire Rescue. I do not want to see a merger with Hernando County Fire Rescue. I am tired of the newspapers only putting negative things about Spring Hill Fire Rescue in them. The men and women of this department have served us for 34 years, and it disgusts me how quickly some people will turn their back on them.

I see people mocking them at meetings about why we have a ladder truck. Anyone with half a brain can see Spring Hill is quickly building up and, unless you live under a rock, you can see all the multiple-story apartment complexes popping up left and right. Why don't you grow up? You sounded like a fool.

Some of you don't understand or don't care that some people will loose their jobs, people who have been serving their community for over 25 years, and that's just with this department. People who have received many awards for saving someone's life, and I don't want to hear "That's their job." I know that that's why they work there.

I also read recently "they both have the same medical director." What's your point? Dr. Blackburn is the medical director of many things. I don't see what that has to do with anything. I hope you vote "yes." Keep Spring Hill Fire Rescue its own district. I don't think with today's unemployment the way it is anyone can afford to be out of work. So if you do decide to vote "no," you should make sure that these people won't lose their jobs. They deserve better. Please vote "yes" Nov. 4.

Kendra Knauff

Spring Hill

Insulting, Unprofessional

Re: "Greed Fuels Teachers' Decision On A+ Bonus Money" in the Oct. 15 edition of Hernando Today.

Greed is a harsh word. You're making us out to be monsters, which we are not. Now, you are bashing the non-instructional staff as though we are not worthy of this bonus. Imagine doing without these. No custodians to keep our schools clean. What would happen if the cafeteria staff were all out sick at the same time? Can the students learn or concentrate on an empty stomach? Our secretaries who multi-task with such important things as making sure we all get paid. Our para-professionals who dedicate their time in the classroom helping students and teachers. The nurses who tend to the sick or injured.

I personally work with students who are limited English speakers and some with no knowledge of the English language. As an ESOL para, I can honestly say that I am an essential piece of the puzzle and very instrumental in the learning process of students as we all are. I understand your plight; however, no comparison or reference to noninstructional personnel should have been made.

Your insult was recognized and not appreciated. I initially voted for all to share. Would your vote have been to exclude the much-needed noninstructional? At Fox Chapel Middle School, we are striving to be a family and will not let this get in our way.

Maida Rodriguez

Spring Hill

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