LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

When Can We Expect Relief?

Just a few months ago oil was at $145 a barrel. Yesterday it closed at $46. Effectively a 68 percent drop. Gasoline was $4 a gallon and is now about $1.83 - a 54 percent drop.

So the question now becomes, with fuel prices so low, when can we expect airlines to stop those exorbitant charges for baggage, when will airfares fall, when will food prices go down and, probably just as important, when will electricity prices go down since now the utilities companies will be paying so much less for the fuel to drive their generators?

Remember, for more two years we kept getting told the reason these things were going up was because of oil prices going up.

Also ask yourselves, when will school districts and other government agencies, currently using fuel predictions in their budgets reflecting the $145 a barrel price, trim those budgets to be more closely aligned with prevailing prices and put those funds to use elsewhere in the local/county/state budgets? Or will there be no oversight of this and budgets stay inflated thereby screwing the taxpayer?

I guess maybe we should start contacting the public utilities commissioner (or equivalent) and our local representatives, eh? Keep their feet to the fire. It may mean the difference between raising taxes or laying off an employee.

I understand some delay may be expected because long-term contracts were locked into for fuel based on the higher prices of several months ago and little can be done immediately, but now is the time to let these folks know we're on to them and watching - and waiting to see what they do.

Vilmar Tavares

Spring Hill

Keep People In Their Homes

A few days ago, there was a news item that stated: "The Bank of Scotland extended foreclosure proceedings for six months from the normal three months."

That makes Florida's offer an embarrassment. Note the normal extension was 90 days even before the world financial collapsed.

We should change our laws to make foreclosure the ultimate last resort. Face the reality that the very banks that are all getting bought up or bailed out by borrowing against the future generations had approved these people for the loans to put a far too fancy roof over their heads, obviously thinking they could boot them out in short order and sell for a profit later. So they should have to wait to boot them out. We all know that the banks are losing a small fortune processing these foreclosures anyhow, so they might as well help the needy.

Almost every working family is only a couple paychecks away from financial ruin due to uninsured illness or long-term employment loss. Most of us realize this and have empathy for those getting evicted from their life.

The welfare system could more easily afford to pick up the normal fees of a three-bedroom home at $850 a month and just keep people in their homes rather than put them in some "shelter" or making a slumlord richer.

Foreclosure is not a solution; it is a dilution.

Doug Adams

Spring Hill

Happy Holidays!

You've given a girl warm clothes after her home has burned. You've given a boy an adult role model through mentoring. You've given parents the skills to be a better parent. You've prevented a teenager from running away due to counseling. You've provided food for a low-income family.

United Way is you and me - United - working together through many programs. We've given all of this and more to build a stronger community by "Living United."

During this holiday season, we give thanks for the good fortune in our lives, even in the midst of challenges and difficulties all around us. On behalf of the people you help but may never meet, United Way thanks you for your support. Happy holidays, from your friends at United Way of Hernando County.

For more information on how you can continue to help United Way of Hernando County, contact 352-688-2026 or visit www.unitedwayhernando.com

Dawn Badami

and Kathy Jones

United Way

of Hernando County