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Talk of hurricane-proofing new homes is nothing personal

 
Published Oct. 29, 1997|Updated Oct. 2, 2005

Editor: On Oct. 16 Times staff reporter Geoff Dougherty wrote an article in response to a Port Richey City Council meeting. As a City Council member, I believe it is my responsibility to reply. The article was alarming because certain facts were omitted in an attempt to, once again, convince city residents that corrupt policymakers plague City Hall.

The agenda for the Oct. 14 Port Richey City Council meeting called for the adoption of the Southern Building Code. Included within this discussion, in an effort to take action on the city building inspector's plea for an ordinance that would implement a hurricane-proof rule, was talk of enforcing the use of impact-resistant shutters, windows and coatings.

It is possible that these building materials could help the city meet future mandates imposed by FEMA, and may even guarantee homeowners the ability to secure proper insurance coverage.

Unfortunately, the Times failed to report that this ordinance would only affect new construction. Owners of existing homes would not be mandated to use any of these products.

What the Times did report was that my business, Custom Window and Doors of Florida, was inclined to make significant financial gains. However, 99 percent of my business caters to the existing homeowner, not builders. My 30 years of experience in the building industry is perhaps the reason I was asked to share my technical expertise. My vote to encourage additional research in outlining this ordinance was not a measure to promote my business.

Eventually, if the ordinance does go up for approval, I will respectfully abstain from voting. Nonetheless, my position will remain unchanged. I am not seeking personal financial gains. I am doing what I was elected to do, represent the people and react to the needs of the city.

I strongly encourage our city residents to attend our productive meetings to help make things happen, and possibly then draw their own conclusions about what is really happening at City Hall.

Robert T. Leggiere

Port Richey

New 9-story apartments

will be permanent eyesore

Editor: In 20 years or so, our canals will clean themselves if they stop polluting our waterways. However, the nine-story building will be a major mistake that will last as long as the building remains standing. Aside from all the other reasons mentioned so far, the high-rise is going to be a large, ugly building that doesn't belong in the center of Sea Forest.

It is ridiculous to compare it to similar structures nearby. St. Andrews is in an isolated area, and Sea Castle is on 19, not South Beach. Besides, Marine Parkway runs straight back, and nearby homes affected at all still face the water, not Sea Castle.

But because the canals of Sea Forest wind back and forth, almost every resident will soon have a great view of a permanent eyesore in the middle of their neighborhood.

Like many others, we chose to live here because of the beautiful architectural design of the development. There are no homes above three stories because of strict building codes, and the average home is valued at a quarter of a million dollars. Now, we must either live with it, or move and sell our property at a loss. Couldn't this have been built somewhere else in New Port Richey or even Sea Forest Drive, or kept to a reasonable height?

Don't we have rights? "Public notice" was a sign, knocked down after a few days, about changes in the parking ordinance. Building plans for this project were initiated two years ago and deliberately kept secret so there could be no objections "before it was too late."

Is it decreed by God that this building be nine stories? Why, at least, can't there be a six-story cap?

Linda Calafiore

New Port Richey

U.S. 19 could benefit

from modern technology

Editor: Isn't it amazing we can launch a rocket, have it fly by Venus, the Earth and Jupiter, have it take seven years to reach Saturn, and we can't time the lights on U.S. 19?

Stu Westcott

Port Richey

Tricks by a carload of kids

helps decision on treats

Editor: For the past eight to 10 years, since we moved into this county, we have been buying candy to hand out at Halloween to children (young and old).

And every year, we have been wondering if that $20 or more wouldn't have been better spent as an extra donation to Americares.

So, guess what!

This year some young fun-seekers made up our mind for us.

Seems like a handful of students in a borrowed car thought it would be a blast to watch an old Vietnam vet stoop down and pick up trash scattered down the street several doors down.

We have given up pestering Sheriff Lee Cannon about neighborhood vandalism.

I have suggested more bike patrols on weekends. But I guess it doesn't have a high enough priority.

Edith and Finn Nissen

Hudson

Department store sells

blue plastic recycling bags

Editor: Having read the article written by Times staff writer Kent Fischer, regarding Pasco County residents needing to pick up the pace of the recycling of their old plastic containers, cans, bottles and jars, I would like to make a suggestion that could help this situation.

Bob Sigmond, Pasco's garbage and recycling administrator, may not be aware of a problem that has gone unheeded for some time now.

As mentioned in a recent letter to the editor, the writer explained how difficult it is for a resident to purchase the plastic blue bags that were originally required to place the recyclables in for curb-side pickup. I have experienced the same problem.

Do you know that none of our grocery supermarkets stocks these blue bags?

It took a bit of persistent effort on my part to finally learn that the Wal-Mart discount store stocked them.

Perhaps Sigmond may be able to assist the residents of Pasco County in their effort to comply with our state's requirement for recycling by making it possible for the public to have easier access to these plastic bags.

Unfortunately, the damage is done. Frustrated people just ceased to care and stopped bothering to separate the recyclables from the rest of their trash.

Further articles on this subject may enlighten readers as to where they can purchase the required plastic bags.

This could possibly reverse the trend and at the same time save our county from having to refund $429,000 to the state.

Joseph E. Shoener

Port Richey