Aging Isn't Justification For Attitude Of Selfishness

First, let me congratulate you on researching the article which ran a few months back, regarding the proposed dog "beach day" at Pine Island. If I recall correctly, I was not the only person who found your attitude regarding allowing dogs and their human companions to enjoy Pine Island, for a few hours, one day a month, a couple months out of the year; negative and selfish.

If you had been so offended by my calling your attitude small hearted; why didn't you respond at that time? Could it be that you simply choose to ignore my comment at that time? Or could you have been reminded of it by someone who wanted to use you? To keep the pot stirred; so to speak? I tend to think the later is a definite possibility.

I am neither insensitive nor heartless to the elderly or snowbirds: I simply do not find it healthy or beneficial for our community to focus primarily on one segment of the population without considering the equally legitimate and viable needs of the rest of the community.

Spring Hill has a large senior population; a population that is significantly older than the rest of our state. However, that does not mean that Spring Hill is the exclusive domain of those over some arbitrary age.

The reason the population under 50 is growing is for many of the same reasons seniors and snowbirds are attracted here: Lower taxes and more affordable housing. But they are also attracted to the number of employment opportunities in the health care field. And why are health care related fields the largest employer for women in our area? Because Spring Hills' large population of older residents simply require more medical services. As such, younger individuals are going to be a much needed segment of our community. And it is not unreasonable for there to be more activities that they might enjoy with their children and friends.

In a few months, Hernando County will open its first "dog park." A place where dogs and their owners can meet and let their canine companions make friends in a safe and welcoming environment.

I must say, most of the responses to my original opinion, tended to validate my perceptions that while not all seniors are less than welcoming of their younger neighbors, many are.

Isn't it sad, that when a person experiences some significantly less than positive aspects of their community and wants to create a dialog about how the needs in our community could be better served, that the general response is: "Get out!" Seems that those who tell me to leave, instead of considering that my observations are relevant and accurate and asking how they might be changed or improved, are the very ones who can't accept our community is changing and refuse to consider that the process of change can be a win-win situation for everyone.

And in case you're curious? I'm a proud baby boomer in my 50s who doesn't believe that aging is justification for assuming an attitude of selfishness.

Nia Diebel

Spring Hill