Letters

Letters to the editor, May 2

Hernando Today
Published: May 2, 2012

Give animal control a break

I am writing this letter in response to a recent article about the unfortunate euthanization of the mix dog known as Zeus. The position I am taking is not likely to be popular, but I'd believe I have somewhat of a unique perspective as both a mental health professional as well as the owner of a hobby kennel (we used to breed Shih Tzu's).

I have had many encounters with the officers of Animal Control. They have come out in the past to inspect our kennel. I have contacted them over animal concerns. I have adopted numerous animals from them, and finally, I have had to bring my elderly, sick or injured animals to them for euthanasia.

I have never had anything but the greatest respect for the job that they do and have always been treated with the same respect.

Let's face it. The job of an Animal Control officer is to clean up after irresponsible people. They see the worst on a daily basis, animals starved, chained, abused in unspeakable ways, and the people who think it is their right to own these helpless creatures. Then there is the random breeding of unwanted pets who end up at best on the streets, at worst left somewhere to die. The job of an Animal Control officer is unpopular and heartbreaking. Good, decent animals are put down not because of Animal Control but because of the citizens of Hernando County and their unwillingness to take care of those animals.

Easy to point fingers but would you do this job? I know as a clinician that this type of work can lead to PTSD, how can it not? Have some compassion for the people who are doing the job of compassion. These are good folks doing a nasty job in a wasteful uncaring society. Liana Teague has the courage to head up one of the most unpopular organizations in this county and has done, in my estimation, a great job even with the budget and staff cuts as well as the massive increase in unwanted animals. The economy has taken a huge toll on all of us and resulted in an overwhelming dumping of pets.

Cut these folks a break. Support spay/neuter programs, help out at the shelters, come up with creative solutions to the unwanted pet issues. Go to Animal Control first if you are looking for a pet and commit to that pet for its lifetime.

Don't own a pet if you cannot reasonable take care of it for many years to come. Thank those officers for every day that they dare to put on that uniform and face hostile, unreasonable pet owners so that the suffering animals have a voice. Support them, they need our help. Forgive the mistakes because there are bound to be some, but cheer on their ongoing effort to alleviate suffering.

Rita Rae Rudny

Brooksville

Just the facts

Mr. Jason Marshall letter to the editor on April 26 appears to have been written at the suggestion of someone else. I do not know Mr. Marshall and he probably does not know me, so we start even.

Mr. Marshall, if you read my letter again, you will note that I did not said to be a "good conservative Republican." I said "I am a conservative republican and I am proud." My letter stated facts not fiction. It is a fact-based letter. I did not write the letter, as you said, "to impeach the credibility of a man who spends a lot of time and his own money contributing to the conservative cause." If I wanted to do that I would have had plenty to say.

You asked what I have done to help this nation and future generations. Not much according to some. I spent four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. I was stationed in Japan and Korea for over two years. I retired as a bank officer with over 32 years of service and I was responsible for over $10 billion in assets.

I moved to Hernando County in 1985 and I have been involved in politics ever since. I ran for county commissioner in 2003. I was a member of the Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission for 11 years and I was its chairman three times.

I was a member of the board of directors of the Enrichment Centers of Hernando County from 2006-11. I am a member of the Oak Hill Hospital Community Advisory Council, the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee; I graduated from Leadership Hernando class of 2003. I am a member of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) Citizens Advisory Committee, Land Use Sub-committee and Operations Sub-committee. I spend lot of time and my own money to do what I do, and I asked or want nothing in return, as opposed to some people who do so to promote their own personal agenda.

I always attend the monthly meetings of the First Hernando Republican Club, the Wellington Republican Club, and the Timber Pines Republican Club, and I do not recall seeing you there. May be you are too busy doing "some heavy lifting."

Have a nice day Mr. Marshall.

Anthony Palmieri

Spring Hill

Disdain

After listening to all the comments regarding the hooker scandal surrounding the Secret Service I can come to but one conclusion. Those involved showed no respect for Obama and why should they?

He himself acts the clown bowing and scraping to every prince or potentate with whom we are at odds or even at war with.

He prances and preens in the White House as if it were his private frat house by hosting celebrity after celebrity and party after party. He sneers at all of us as if we were his serfs incapable of survival without his beneficence.

No my friends the men involved with the prostitutes in Colombia merely reflect Obama's disdain for his office and worse his country.

Mike

Stansbury