Opinion
Letters to the editor, Jan. 14
TBO.com
Published: January 14, 2012
Disgusting penaltyPublished: January 14, 2012
I am totally disgusted that the Pasco County School District was fined $4 million for not complying with the class-size amendment. The district was definitely in a no-win situation of either balancing its budget, which it had to because of our state constitution, or laying off 500 employees, half of whom held classroom jobs.
What bothers me is not the action the school district had to take, but I can't help but wonder if any of these employees would have been laid off if the children of illegal immigrants were not in our classrooms. While this may seem callous, Pasco County and our state and nation can no longer afford to provide medical care, education and other benefits to people who, while they may be law-abiding and are just trying to make better lives for themselves and their children, are in America illegally.
The Legislature really needs to pass some laws, as other states have done, to make it uncomfortable for illegals so they will self-deport.
Sharon Lam
Hudson
Change burn laws
People didn't like smelling the raunchy, foul-smelling smoke from smokers, so they changed the law inside out.
So why not change the law for the people who are constantly burning wood or whatever and using their backyards as a campground? Sometimes this foul, raunchy-smelling smoke is so bad you can't see, let alone the safety hazard of a spark setting off a house or woods fire.
It's time to change the law, like other states have done.
Kerwood Graves
New Port Richey
Be heard on Ridge Road
The Ridge Road extension would not improve the quality of life of existing Pasco residents. With it would come more development, more water drilling, more sinkholes, diminishment of wetlands and risk to wildlife.
As a River Ridge resident I am concerned that people will use Decubellis Road to get to the Ridge Road extension, bringing increased traffic and litter to the neighborhood.
A certain amount of development is needed but it must be balanced with long-term considerations. Too often growth is equated with getting bigger rather than getting better.
Let your voice be heard. Write, by Jan. 25, to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, District Engineer, 10117 Princess Palm Ave., Suite 120, Tampa FL 33610.
M.S. Taylor
New Port Richey