LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Veteran Support

I read about Don Sloane's problem with the parking ticket, and I am in complete sympathy with him.

In the article he said respect and praise were heaped on veterans of World War II and Korea. Well, I would like to comment about Korea. I enlisted in the U. S. Navy two days before Korea broke out. I served five years in the Navy with tours in Korea, and let me tell you there were no brass bands playing when we came back.

It took this country 50 years to even call it a war. It was known as a conflict, police action, Harry Truman's war and others, which I cannot think of at the present.

Korea, today, remains as it did 55 years ago - a truce, an uneasy one at that. You never can tell when it might erupt again.

I realize also that the Vietnam servicemen were treated with disrespect, and I sympathize with them for the ignorance of some people. No one likes war, but sometimes we are put in a spot where there is no other alternative.

I have found Florida to be very veteran friendly, and I hope Don's case is resolved amicably. I want to thank U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, for all she has done for the veterans under her jurisdiction. She even obtained ribbons and medals for me that I didn't even know I rated.

John P. Joyce

Korean War veteran

Fix THE Bus

To the board of county commissioners: Don't you think it's about time you take the issue of THE Bus seriously? With gas prices climbing out of reach, why don't you consider changing the routes and go to where the people live?

I could never understand the idea of driving to THE Bus to take THE Bus. The buses are still driving around with just two or three people riding. I don't think it brings enough revenue to pay the driver, let alone the fuel. Please give this some thought.

Dick DeAngelo

Brooksville

Raise Unmerited

I am very disappointed in the school board's decision to give Dr. Wayne Alexander the raise and allowances he requested.

Before I go on, let me make this perfectly clear. I am not a teacher. I am a local Hernando County nurse.

I feel that this raise and allowances are a slap in the face to all the teachers in Hernando County. I am a parent that follows very closely all the goings-on related to the school system my child is enrolled in. While the budget is still up in the air in regards to the county, the school board approves a 5.5 percent raise and an increase of monies for gas expenses. I've asked a few teachers if they get gas expenses, and I was laughed at - a response I expected. I would like to know why Dr. Alexander does not get a county car for his traveling.

I hope that the teachers of this county are given the same consideration Dr. Alexander has had in terms of his salary increase demands. Dr. Alexander hasn't even been in the county a year and has the audacity to demand an increase of money. On the other hand, will this raise be an offset to an increase of health insurance premiums like the teachers most often see their raises going to?

As a parent, I have not seen Dr. Alexander's salary demands as deserving. As of yet there has not been many changes that show a well-earned salary increase. It is the teachers of this county who work hard educating our children, and they don't even make what a 16-year-old babysitter makes. We, as a community, should be ashamed to vote for a school board that has little regard to those individuals who choose to stay in such a low-paying county to educate our children.

Thank you to all the teachers of Hernando County. You do have at least one supporter.

Danielle Sullivan

Spring Hill