LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Institute Fee

Re: "Sports Leagues Oppose $20 Fee" in the Aug. 31 edition of Hernando Today.

There's a lot more maintenance needed than cutting grass. These are Bermuda grass fields; athletic turf, while it is beautiful to look at and desired for wearability, this turf has a higher need for maintenance and care.

Athletic turf requires watering (sprinkler systems,) which need maintenance and repairs. Fertilizers and chemicals for insecst and fungus have increased 10 to 50 percent in the past year, thanks to India and China (not to mention corn for ethanol). Do not forget sod replacement due to overuse. The equipment used is also specialized; some of the mowers can cost more than $40,000. They also require special maintenance. This is not the type of grass we have at home.

Then, of course, you need to factor in vandalism. I believe the Anderson Snow fields suffered from that recently.

Personally, I don't think volunteers will pan out. When my kids played organized sports, it was always the 10 percent doing 90 percent of the work. The parks department needs more than some trash picked up. There are tasks that require some training and skill.

We are now faced with increased expenses while trying to cut back on budgets. Twenty dollars is not overly expensive. Why not institute the fee for two years and revisit it then?

Joseph Spano

Spring Hill

Foreclosed Homes

Re: Aug. 29 letter to the editor in Hernando Today.

I, like Mr. Greenwalt, can't afford to have my lawn beautified by someone, and I surely can't afford to pay for all the foreclosed homes in Hernando County to have their lawns serviced by our county workers.

After all, the banks and mortgage companies own these homes; why are they not made to pay for lawn service?

To our county commissioners: What, may I ask, is wrong with this picture?

Come on, county commissioners; do you want more abandoned/foreclosed homes? Keep raising property taxes and you will!

Put the lawn service fees on their tax bill not mine.

Marion Merrell

Spring Hill

Miller Will Be Missed

I was in Massachusetts when Bob Kanner notified me of Morty Miller's death. Many pleasant memories came to mind concerning Morty and his many contributions to Spring Hill. Morty was very effective as an officer in the Spring Hill Civic Association in the 1980s and '90s. He oversaw the deliberations of our architectural review committee, which prevented many contractors from violating our deed restrictions.

He was especially vigilant of the county commission and never backed away from presenting his views on matters affecting Spring Hill. He and his late wife and my wife and I went out to eat several times. He could eat a pound of pasta and never gain an ounce. I eat a quarter pound of pasta, and I gain two pounds. Morty kept his slim physique throughout his entire life.

Spring Hill is indebted to Morty for his work as a volunteer on behalf of our residents. I, for one, will miss him.

Nick Morana

Spring Hill

Thank You

On Aug. 11, our family suffered the greatest loss that could have ever been imagined: the death of our 30-year-old son Jake. He was killed in an accident on U.S. 19 while riding his motorcycle. To say that we were devastated, in shock and felt totally lost is the greatest understatement. Our family and friends quickly gathered around our dining room table that day to comfort each other, the telephone ringing continually as the word spread and discussions started as to what arrangements needed to be made.

As parents, you want to be the strong ones, the protectors, the problem solvers, even if your children are grown, and yet we felt completely at a loss. Our four other adult children were our rocks. They knew we needed them at this time, and they were there. After the initial shock started to wear off, some of the good times and loving stories about Jake's life started being told and, at one point, we could laugh a little. Being able to laugh a little at this time is a wonderful way to start dealing with the rest of the nightmare that you feel that you will never be able to wake up from.

The reason we felt the need to send this letter to the newspaper is to say thank you to the multitudes of people who immediately came to our aid. To all of the people who made sure there was food brought to our house that first day and every day after that. Barry Brewer, of Brewer and Sons Funeral Services, and his assistant, Ellen, were so helpful. To the people who delivered 20 tables and 60 chairs, 10 shade tents, coolers, an industrial fan, someone to cook all the meat, the teachers and their spouses and children who work with our eldest daughter at the school where she teaches came Saturday morning to set up everything and to make sure the food was ready to go, and to a very dear friend who made sure everything stayed orderly in a somewhat chaotic situation.

At 10:30 a.m. everything was being set up, and by 9 p.m., all was taken down, put away and food condensed into a few containers leaving very little for the family to clean up later. To the more than 200 people who attended the memorial service and/or attended the gathering at our home, the family wishes to thank all because none of us are sure or can remember if we spoke with all of you.

To all of our neighbors who allowed people to park all over the place and on their lawns and in their driveways. To all of Jake's friends, some of whom we didn't know personally and can't write a thank you note to; we don't have all your addresses. To the Hernando County Fire Rescue crews and the Hernando County Sherriff's deputies who ran on Jake's accident, because our last name is different than Jake's, you could never have known to notify us personally and/or sooner. To the Florida Highway Patrol officers who had to come to our home to notify us of Jake's death. Sometimes your job just plain stinks. To the two officers, we thank you for the care you gave during what is now the worst thing that has happened to this family. Please take solace in knowing you were very helpful, kind and caring and it will never be forgotten.

There are so many people to thank and we were afraid we would miss someone in our thank-you notes. So thank you to all who helped out during our greatest time of need and if we miss someone, please know we are very grateful to all. Thank you to all for everything.

Frank and Gerrie

DeFrancesco

Spring Hill