LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Is There Life In Spring Hill?

Several times I've started to write this, then decided against it. Mainly because I think it will offend a large segment of my fellow Spring Hill and Hernando County neighbors. But it needs to be said, regardless of who it may rub the wrong way.

This general area is changing. The growth in the past few years hasn't been limited to retirees or snowbirds. More younger individuals and families are calling the area "home."

However, there seems to be a mindset amongst the powers that be, that this area is one large sprawling retirement community. From the small-hearted whining of a few who didn't want to see Pine Island opened to dogs and their human companions for a few hours one day a month a few months out of the year, to the lack of support for raising the funds for much needed schools. And don't even get me started on the long-term problems when houses in this area rely on septic systems rather than tying into a municipal sewer.

As a 'baby boomer' I am sometimes disappointed when I experience the rather selfish attitudes of the so-called "greatest generation." True, it was a difficult time and their efforts laid the groundwork for today. However, that in and of itself, is not a reason to place their whims or wants over valid needs for a community which is growing.

Look around.

Lots of social clubs and activities aimed at those over 60. The term "active senior lifestyle" seems an oxymoron, to me. The seniors I see shuffle along and many seem confused and not much engaged in life beyond medical appointments and early dinner specials. And the impact of all the snowbirds seems to be a toss up: Their arrival means that hospitals and medical offices increase staffing to handle the medical needs of those frail and often, feeble, souls who flock down here and add to the congestion of roads already saturated with far too many elderly drivers, far to many of whom appear to not be up to the challenge of being safe, alert and responsive drivers.

Like it or not, as we age, we change and it's not age discrimination to have standards in place that reflect that the abilities of a 70-year-old may not be as good a 30-year-old. Sorry AARP, but that's the reality of it. (Watch them revoke my membership. Just as there are reasons why 13-year-olds aren't issued driver's licenses, there are valid reasons why many elderly drivers should not have a license. Personally, it doesn't make a difference to me if I'm hit by a 25-year-old driving with a buzz or an 80-year-old who can barely see over their steering wheel, can't turn their head to actually use their side view mirrors or has memory or depth perception problems.

Except for those rare instances where there are events that might interest those under 60 and their families; this area is not a destination to spend entertainment. After all, beside the water park, a couple theaters and a few clubs with live music - which seem to lack the acoustics for live music and bands that seem to equate playing loudly with being "good" - there's virtually no life after the sun sets in Spring Hill.

In the few years we've lived here, almost all of our entertainment dollars have been spent outside of Hernando County. I'm not fond of driving to Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater or even Tarpon Springs to see a concert, enjoy an afternoon at the beach or a park with our dogs or simply spend a few hours in a nice club listening to some of our truly great, local musicians. But the current lack of other options in the area leaves me no choice but to take my money elsewhere to spend.

This area seems to care more about catering to those who's definition of "nightlife" means afternoon bingo and the senior special at a local restaurant than waking up and realizing that the local coffers are losing money to those areas that actually want to attract younger, more active and engaged individuals.

We have venues that could accommodate such performers as Raul Midon, Mindi Abair or Eric Darius. We have areas where festivals along the lines of a Renaissance fair or the Dunedin Highland Games could be held and there are avenues to partner with groups outside this area to bring these things to pass. Yet so long as the status quo of this "retirement area" mentality continues to rule the day, I, like many others, will take our entertainment dollars out of the area.

So I ask you: Is there life in Spring Hill?

Nia Diebel

Spring Hil

Congratulations,

Gov. Charlie Crist

Congratulations on receiving such a commendation from the Florida Wildlife Federation.

This is really a terrific honor, especially considering that only a couple of decades ago, I didn't even like the Sierra Club. That has changed, but I still do not care for PETA. However, nature is our second most valuable possession. Our families and children are the first. Both are inseparably entwined and dependent. I believe the greatest organization for both the preservation and enhancement of all our valuable resources are our schools; and by you being elected to the top state spot, you have won the highest award our citizens can bestow upon you - trust to do it all right.

What I would like to ask is this: Do we have any committees working on what can we do to assist families and businesses through the transition of global warming or cooling within our state? What will be affected? What will the economic effects be? What will the effects be on our citizens, lifestyle, day-to-day routines, survivability, physical and medical stresses, and cultural practices. And on water resources, infrastructure, pipelines, power generation, heating/air-conditioning, waste treatment and storm drainages, natural resources, transportation, emergency and catastrophic response planning?

I think now would be a good time to consider scenarios and options to make tentative plans on what we are going to be able to do.

To read about the commendation, go to http://www.flgov.com/release/9790

Mike Farahay

Weeki Wachee

Business As Usual

In American Politics

One day after the Florida primary, what can one conclude from the results?

For one thing, we learned is that if you were for illegal immigration and for free trade and for higher taxes and for unlimited abortion, your guy won big. I am not talking about the Democrats. No, I am talking about the Republicans, who foolishly gave John McCain the win.

Now before someone writes in claiming I don't know what I am talking about, let's look at the exit polling. Those who called themselves liberal or moderate voted overwhelmingly for John McCain, and the conservatives voted for Mitt Romney.

I am telling people that, as a conservative, if John McCain gets the nomination of the Republican Party, I will not vote for him. I would rather have Clinton or Obama win. At least with them you know what you're getting, but with McCain, who is a notorious backstabber and flip-flopper, you have no idea what you're getting.

And please do not tell me that McCain is a veteran or a former P.O.W. That was then; this is now. Besides, I thought "we the people" were supposed to be tired of all of the Washington insiders, but I guess not. It seems that it is business as usual in American politics, which, when you think about it, is pretty sad.

Peter Stathis

Spring Hill