LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Correct Choice

I am sure most people remember where they were and who they were with on Sept. 11, 2001. In January 1986, I can recall where I was and who I was with when the Challenger blew up.

On Oct. 5, 2007, at 10:30 p.m., eight months after declaring my candidacy, a doctor at St. Joseph's Hospital dropped a catastrophe on my wife and I that sent our world into a flaming ball of chaos. We were informed that our 5-year-old son, Trenton, had a massive tumor on his left kidney. Upon removal of the kidney, three days later, we were informed that he had a very aggressive cancer that demanded immediate treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. A week later, my wife delivered our youngest son; and I had family in two hospitals in two separate counties.

The chemotherapy and radiation treatments have wreaked havoc on Trent's immune system, which has made him susceptible to every germ and bacteria around. Besides the complete loss of hair and the feeding tubes, at the first sign of fever, he must be immediately taken to the hospital for a minimum two-day stay. His shortest stay since then has been approximately three weeks.

Since October, we have spent more time at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa than we have at home due to the fevers and treatments. Given the nature of my business and having three additional children at home, the only time I could relieve my wife and spend time with Trenton in the hospital was on the weekends. Thus, I chose my family over my political aspirations. I have been criticized for choosing my family over gathering petitions to place my name on the ballot for the office of clerk of the circuit court; however, my family will always be first. Therefore, there was no choice to be made.

Traumatic events tend to lead one to reflect on what is truly important in life. Over the last several months, I have had ample opportunity to reflect on those important aspects. I observed several young children, in the same unit as my son, lose their battle with this devastating disease. Most troubling was observing a young man, who is 17, and his family, in an adjoining room for several weeks, evicted from their home while he was in the hospital fighting for his life against cancer. Now homeless, he recently was sent to stay with friends under hospice care to spend his remaining days in an unfamiliar home. This is an appalling travesty.

My entire campaign has been premised on the concept of choice. My choice is simple - my family; therefore, I am withdrawing my name for the office of clerk of the circuit court. I do want to thank the many campaign volunteers, supporters and friends, both Democrat and Republican, for the efforts given in my campaign; and I will continue to fight for my child and my clients in Hernando County and Florida.

Harlan Derek Saltsman, Esq.

Dade City

The Gift That

Keeps On Giving

The Hernando County School Board has once again ignored sensibility by approving the construction of the high school on U.S. 19 and Hexam Road over the obvious objections of common sense and the best interest of the public. They will have no money after it is built to operate and maintain it. Also note that it is miles out in the country requiring significant bussing to its doors.

Just because there is an extra sales tax paying for new schools, they felt obligated to approve this construction. Never mind there will be fewer students to fill it. Never mind there will be less sales tax money to pay for it. Never mind that one board member told them so and was the only person to vote no.

The really sad part is that this board will most likely get voted out of office before the school is built and has to be maintained and operated leaving the horns of this dilemma on the next new board that will take blame for this nonsense.

Last year these board members were told by their accountant they would have to layoff 110 teachers in 2009 simply because a non-renewing maintenance levy was expiring. However, they chose to ignore that advice and left the 2008-09 school budget intact. Goodbye 110 teachers next year in addition to the other cuts for fuel and a 5.5 percent raise across the board.

There is only one place money can come from now that the state is cutting them back even more - the pockets of the people. Hopefully, the citizens of Hernando County will vote this November to make the state sales tax the only method of paying for the operation of schools so we can get some tax relief in 2009 and forever more.

Please vote for all new faces on the school board and approve the 1 percent increased sales tax instead of real estate taxes for schools. The residents need a financial break in Hernando County.

Doug Adams

Spring Hill

Venomous Attack

I do hope your readers realize that most Democrats are not like Frances Earl. Her venomous column about Sen. John McCain revealed not only her ignorance of the facts of his life, but also her intentional distortion of them.

I understand that she is a strong supporter of Sen. Barack Hussein Obama, but trashing an American hero is no way to win votes. I suppose I should list here the lies she wrote, but why bother? Those readers who are truly interested in electing the best candidate for president will do the research themselves.

On a lighter note, the Belgians can't see any choice in the U.S. presidential election: "One candidate is a young, inexperienced senator who makes great speeches; the other is an experienced elder statesman and war hero with a rich, beautiful, blonde wife who owns a brewery." Go figure!

Anne Lossing

Spring Hill

Not Going To Happen

With all the problems facing this country, such as the massive flooding in the Midwest andhigh gas prices, I cannot believe that there are still those out there that are calling for the impeachment of President Bush.

I am, of course, referring to Mr. Ouellette's letter that appeared in this past Thursday's edition. He talks about the dramatic steps taken by U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic member of Congress who is looked upon by his own party as something of an embarrassment and wish he would just go away.

Mr. Ouellette states in his letter that Bush and Cheney have done more to undermine the Constitution than any other administration. Obviously, Mr. Ouellette does not know his American history for if he had, he would know that Presidents Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson and even Franklin Roosevelt had been accused of doing more to violate the Constitution.

Mr. Ouellette states that Bush lied about going to war in Iraq and yet Congress, including a majority of the Democrats, gave him the authority. The Democrats had the numbers to block the authorization, but they didn't. Why doesn't Mr. Ouellette ask some Democratic members of Congress that question? Should they not be held accountable as well, Mr. Ouellette?

In the end, there is going to be no impeachment hearing. The Democratic leadership doesn't want to do it, especially with the problems we're facing now.

The majority of the American people don't want it. Bush will be gone in six months, so I suggest that Mr. Ouellette and those who think like him get over it. It's not going to happen.

Peter Stathis

Spring Hill

Graduation Fiasco

This is the most disgusting thing I've read in years. The brats on the street get treated better, even the bored one that hurt our walking man.

We are having fewer kids toughing it out, less money for them and our troops. The parents are to be honored, not locked out.

I have a great idea. Hernando High should be emptied of all school officials and any grad interested should be put in their place. Hands-on is a great way to learn.

It looks to me like these are tried and true kids. Like I've always heard; they are our future.

Let's start now before the adults ruin more.

Linda Kirkwood

Spring Hill

Where's The Help?

Tthe disaster that is happening in the Midwest is bad for the crops and homes. Ever notice that when disasters hit our nation that not one foreign nation comes to our aid?

Our politicians give billions of dollars to many foreign countries, plus medical, food and clothing, when disaster hits. Not one country, whether they are suppose to be our allies, have ever offered assistance to our nation.

It's time that Congress stops giving foreign aid and start putting our nation and its citizens first. We are not the richest nation in the world anymore. Nine trillion dollars in debt isn't called rich. But the people don't care because there is no pressure on Congress to change.

And even after the November election, it will be business as usual in D.C.

Vernon Carles

Spring Hill