LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What Has County Come To?

So, the witch hunt actually begins. Interim County Administrator Larry Jennings has suspended 10-year veteran Human Resources Director Barbara Dupre for five days without pay for making "unsubstantiated accusations" against Diane Rowden. Unsubstantiated. Not disproved. I thought we had freedom of speech in this country? We may never find out who truly is responsible for breaking into Barbara's office, but I bet Jay Rowden could shed some light on this. Barbara Dupre can no longer participate in the selection of our next county administrator, just as Diane Rowden wanted in the first place. Isn't it strange how that worked out? By the way, what is Jay Rowden's position within the Democratic Party?

Commissioner Gary Kuhl stated that Barbara Dupre used "poor judgment" in keeping signature cards on her desk. And yet, at the time, he didn't feel this offense was worthy of a suspension. (Incidentally, has anyone gotten Gary Kuhl's opinion as to whether he thinks a five-day suspension in this case is justified? I was just wondering...) Is it a worse offense not being able to prove that someone has broken into your office and ratted you out than it is to either pawn a school laptop computer that is not yours, having a driver's license under suspension and claiming it is not or taking $75 from a student's wallet and returning it empty?

What has this county come to? No wonder Hernando can't keep an administrator very long. Who would want this job, with all of the back stabbing and back biting? Is it any wonder Larry Jennings doesn't? If certain offenses justified beheading, we would be looking for a new interim county administrator real soon. Mary Aikens must be turning over in her grave. What happened to all the niceties this county used to enjoy? Once, Chris Kingsley had the courage to stand up for what he believed in. Now he seems to be just part of the pack. Even Dave Russell used to stand up for his convictions, even if it went against the majority. No longer. Hernando Today also has changed since Robert Nolte left and Chris Wessel took over. If I wanted biased reporting, I'd be reading the New York Times or the Village Voice.

Jennings goes one step further: He states: "This is your final warning. Any further misconduct will result in your termination." That's kind of severe, don't you think? What constitutes misconduct? Getting a parking ticket? Pawning a laptop? Someone isn't thinking straight. Commissioners say their hands are tied in the fire department consolidation fiasco. Not so. They can hold a vote any time they like. They need not wait until the General Election. That merely buys them some more time, at a cost of $128,000 to the taxpayers, for a study.

Well enjoy the time while you have it, ladies and gentlemen commissioners. Many of us here in Spring Hill are getting tired of the Tammany Hall intimidation that persists here in Hernando County government, and will indicate so during the next county elections. It may be time to replace the entire slate with all new people.

Barbara Dupre, how would you like to be a county commissioner? You have my vote.

By the way, I loved the cartoon indicating how the Dupre reprimand letter wound up in the trash. Now that's the old Hernando Today we all know and love.

Mike Grab

Spring Hill

Inequitable Justice

If the sheriff and the residents of Hernando County and Spring Hill wonder why we have such a large number of pot houses in the area, just look at what kind of penalty you will receive if caught.

Two men who were caught with 248 plants worth hundreds of thousand of dollars were sentence to three years probation, one day in jail and $18,000 fine.

However, you can find in the news every day someone is caught for far less of an offense and receives much stiffer penalties. Also, their fine was stealing electrical services. How much money did they clear?

Ray Williamson

Spring Hill