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Filman's Bayou was too peaceful to be left alone

 
Published Oct. 31, 2003|Updated Sept. 2, 2005

Editor: I would like to take the time to thank the extremely stupid people who once again have blown a good thing. Some of you may not be aware of one of Hudson's last beautiful places: Filman's Bayou, a saltwater canal that leads into the Gulf of Mexico. The beautiful blue water became the hot spot for the local teens to swim, hang out and party. Signs were posted for no swimming (which did no good), but there was still access to Filman's saltwater canal.

Eventually a humongous boulder blocked access to the canal from the road. There went a little slice of Hudson heaven. It was nice to buy a couple dozen shrimp, stand on the bank and fish with my 11-year-old son and have the opportunity to show him that manatees and dolphins do exist in nature besides SeaWorld and the Lowry Park Zoo. Pelicans do dive down for fish instead of waiting for a handout at the beach. Whooping cranes wade through the flats at low tide and fish hawks do live in our great state.

I moved here in 1969 before Hudson became so overdeveloped. When I took my son to the bayou, it was like he was looking through my eyes when I was his age. But there it went. Gone.

One day feeling a bit sentimental, we took a ride down the dusty road past the bayou and to my surprise the boulder was gone. We stopped and walked over the small mound back to my saltwater heaven. The "no swimming" signs were gone and while walking back there that day, I cried. It was so beautiful still. I knew it wouldn't be long for the kids to be back, but that isn't what really bothered me.

Each weekend when we would go out there, there were broken bottles, trash, even soiled diapers. My family tried to do what it could by picking up stuff, but what really made me mad was when the ATVs and dirt bikes showed up. They flew by our favorite fishing spots spitting dust and rocks all over. They pushed the small mound down with their trucks.

Last weekend, we bought our shrimp and to our amazement the mound is back, twice as big as before, and now there are two "no trespassing" signs. Who owns the canal? I hope no one! Can you own a canal? Does it belong to the county or Sun West Mines?

How could any of you who knew about Filman's Bayou destroy such a good thing? Ride your ATV and dirt bikes elsewhere like I do. Go swim at the beach or a pool like I do. Just let my son and I fish at the bayou and enjoy what God has given us.

Jan Cain, Hudson

Tax hike encourages development

Editor: At first blush it seems a no-brainer decision for the voters of Pasco County regarding the referendum increasing the sales tax by 1 percent. The snowbirds will be paying a substantial portion of the tax. As a matter of fact, why not increase the tax to 10 percent and really soak them? This will bring in even more tax revenue and help pay for the frenzied overdevelopment in Pasco County.

But on second thought, won't this encourage the developers to expand even further as these increased taxes help pay for more and more schools and roads? So what if there is another water shortage and so what if there are not enough schools to keep up with the rapidly expanding population?

Developers and real estate agents will laugh all the way to the bank and not mind the crowded roads as they deposit their money and send their children to private schools.

Thomas D. Dolan, New Port Richey

Why the ready-made winners?

Editor: Who were the people who judged the costumes in the "infant to 2-year-old" portion of the Monster Mash in Dade City?

The first prize winner was a costume purchased at Wal-Mart. The losers (not one even placed) were those handmade costumes, which required much thought, imagination, expertise and loads of hard work. Where were the brains of the judges?

By the way, I had no relative or friend in the contest. I knew no one, so there are no sour grapes here, just common sense.

Doris E. Bolender, Dade City