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Letters to the EditorsSparse voting shows change needed© St. Petersburg Times published April 10, 2003 Editor: What a waste of time and resources to have these council elections by themselves. To say the voter turnout was low is an understatement. Three city races drew 11 percent. In one New Port Richey precinct, only 21 of 741 registered voters had shown up by early evening. Tampa's runoff for mayor was a joke. In some Pinellas cities, council members were elected with only a handful of votes. In New Port Richey, one council member won re-election with all of 394 votes. Why can't there be just one general election in November? Now, it would be complicated, what with different ballots almost by precinct. But I would think that with proper training, education, and use of computers, we can figure it out. But the voter turnout in these off-year elections is ridiculous.
Mismanagement of water resources affects us all Editor: Citizens of Pasco and Hillsborough counties need to be forewarned. Very few people are aware that our water supplier, Tampa Bay Water, is considering new groundwater pumping of up to 76.2-million gallons of water per day from Pasco and Hillsborough. This amount is comparable to several large well fields. This is against the spirit of the agreement that formed Tampa Bay Water. Because of the terrific amount of environmental damage in Hillsborough and Pasco counties that came from overpumping well fields for public water supply in the '80s and early '90s, a reduction in groundwater pumping was mandated. Today, Tampa Bay Water is back looking for cheap and easy groundwater from east Hillsborough and east Pasco counties. The Coalition to Save East Pasco County, CoSEP, was formed in the '90s to oppose groundwater pumping in east Pasco. The coalition has restructured its focus, mission and name in view of the current threats. The coalition is now known as the Coalition to Preserve Our Water Resources, CoPOWR. We, too, oppose the development of any new groundwater pumping for public water supply by Tampa Bay Water in either Pasco or Hillsborough County. Additionally, we oppose transfer of water use permits without comprehensive review of the impact of withdrawals. We know that Hillsborough and Pasco counties are growing at a tremendous rate and will need water for their citizens. CoPOWR supports efforts to make approval of new development contingent on availability of potable water. CoPOWR supports the development and use of alternative sources of water, including, but not limited to desalinization of brackish and salt water, which would be a drought-proof source of water. Studies by Southwest Florida Water Management District show that the Hillsborough River Basin, which includes east Hillsborough and southeast Pasco, has already suffered environmental impacts from well field pumping. Although scientific studies regarding northeast Pasco have not been done, there are many reasons to believe that additional withdrawals would have a negative impact on that area as well as the Green Swamp, which is the headwaters for five area rivers and a giant recharge area for our aquifer. Tampa Bay Water is in the process of choosing future sources of water to support our growing population. We urge you to oppose any new groundwater withdrawals for public water supply. This is not just an "in your back yard" issue. We encourage you and urge you to speak with your commissioners and with members of the Tampa Bay Water board and to encourage them to seek alternative sources of water. The misuse and mismanagement of this natural resource affects us all. Please join us in our endeavors to influence and educate our public officials. For more information, call (352) 521-0368 or (352) 567-3844.
Find some use for land before Wal-Mart does Re: Hernando has the perfect arts center already, Barbara Fredricksen's column, April 5 Times. Editor: Barbara pointed out that the proposed Nimmagadda Fine Arts Complex would be as useful as a beeper for a banjo player. We must hurry to find some other use for the land before Wal-Mart puts another store there.
Brown-Waite should visit veterans' cemeteries overseas Editor: As a resident of Washington, D.C., with strong ties to Brooksville, I have most recently received a page of letters to the editor decrying U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's proposal to bring our World War II war dead back from France. I agree with your readers that such a proposal is insensitive, stupid and certainly ignorant of Franco-American history. I have telephoned Ms. Brown-Waite's office here in Washington to protest. As a World War II veteran (I'm 83), a not-so-distant acquaintance of some of those dead, a former resident of France and godfather to a young Frenchman, may I please join your readers in raising objections to this kind of flawed representation. Surely, Americans deserve better. I suggest Ms. Brown-Waite make a trip to the American cemeteries in France, Belgium and Luxembourg and rethink this matter. Those dead sleep in ground hallowed by their blood. How dare she disturb them!
Share your viewsThe Pasco Times welcomes letters from readers for publication. Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length (250-300 words maximum as a rule). Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed. Anonymous letters or letters with initials only will not be printed. Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668.
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