Extra!! Extra!! Read all about it!
My reporters are quick on the draw with pens in hand jotting down notes as they interview each and every one of their sources for personal viewpoints. And every story is handled with expertise, as anyone would expect of seasoned professionals. They take newsworthy tips with vigor, clarifying the stories as they question their sources so as not to misrepresent their daily tidbits.
The printed words come in daily sections of the Early Edition, Hernando Today and a section for Health and Beauty advice as some readers need a little clarification on what the paper has to offer for their personal well-being. The Foreign Affairs section is particularly intriguing with for the layers of tidbits to pick and choose from, some of them worthy of consideration as the individual decides what will be of their best interest.
The Mid Day Express is another section, along with the Sunrise or Sunset Editions) but there’s an array of options to keep the reader busy trying to decide which activity will fulfill the day’s needs. By Lunch, it’s a wrap-up but the Evening News is still a great read, hearty and full of the good stuff you can sink yourself into.
You can't go wrong in The Classifieds section and its listed opportunities.
Wes and Donna are the publishers. They’re kind and attentive to the reporters, each of who have already proven their worthiness for the positions they hold. Talk about dedication to the printed word! If they were any more attentive to the words, and the verbal interest of the readers, you’d think they were clairvoyant!
Reportes include Jackie, Nancy and Wes, Jr…. and then there’s Sara who told me, “Get the “h” out of there!” in reference to the spelling of her name! But, yes, she was right on!, accuracy is always first and foremost, right next to making the sure the reader is 100% satisfied. Regardless, each of them are whizzin’ about, doing their jobs with the degree of professionalism that every reporter should attain.
So, I’m the critic as I linger in a booth, not so much judging the bearer of good service but the knowledge that whatever my plate should hold, it’ll be good eatin’ to my palate.
The Press Box is on Mariner just south of Elgin “sandwiched” between a convenient store and an Italian icemaker.
The eatin’s good, to say the least; the service is among the best; prices are easy to digest.
My press box is The Press Box.
Friday, October 24, 2008
God Hates Gays? What Of Straying Sheep?
In response to Hernando Today’s Guest Column of October 23rd, “Amendment 2 Won’t Correct Genetic Anomaly; Vote ‘No’”, an on-line opinion espoused, “You should know God hates Gays!!”
God hates Gays?
The comment deserves to be worded as "god HATES gays". It's a very small god that embraces hate in a world created by Him.
Supporters of Amendment 2 are unable to articulate anything other than what’s been expressed time and again by every like-minded conservative extremist. They go around in circles to avoid addressing the affects that the passage of Amendment 2 will have on all partners of domestic nature.
"You have the same freedom to marry, etc that all Floridians do" ... is a trumpet song from the ultra-conservative that says it's okay for a gay man and a gay woman to wed and do as they may... perhaps consummate the holy matrimony to have a baby, or adopt an infant, and raise the child as they will... with each of them having their own same sex partner. Very communal.
Homosexuals do not make attempts to force their lifestyle on anyone; they are not
homogeneous to their lifestyle. They are more astute to an individual's needs than are most legally married/divorced non-gays. Gay parents can impress upon their young to consider all viewpoints on religion and politics, which don't mix any better than oil and vinegar, unless the far right shakes 'em up in a frenzy, giving the concoction an appearance of legitimacy when in fact it's an act of collusion.
Because of being chastised and, gays are more astute to giving a more rounded view of the different classes of people and their beliefs that would otherwise be impressed upon them by partisan minds. Gays have broader insights on social awareness than most other minority groups.
There's much more riff raff in traditional marriages than domestic partnerships, putting children at a disadvantage to learning skills and dropping out of school, thus society, than others.
Amendment 2 isn't just about a man and a woman and marriage
Conservatives demand rights to the unborn living, but what of the undead living in poverty, starved for love and nourishment, in poor health with no means to care for life-threatening ailments, abused by health care professionals and ignored by society?The politics of government assures that bureaucracy will continue to leave millions without medical, and mental, treatments thus wasting taxpayer money. Neither presidential candidate can afford taxpayers the medical bills necessary to provide effective health care to every American.
"True believers", as they may call themselves, should become noble saviors to the unfortunate.
They got the moneyThe Church is very rich. It's virtually impossible to find information on the figures that represent the worth of religious groups, although it's easily imagined that it amounts to trillions of dollars.
A Boston Cardinal's home on a 60-acre urban site with a chancery and a seminary is worth $130,000,000.
The Boston Diocese owns a $31,000,000 television station.
The 75-acre estate at the Aldrich Mansion and owned by the Boston Diocese is valued at
$22,000,000. It's rented out for parties.
The Detroit Diocese owns a golf course and conference center: $18,000,000.
A Chicago Cardinal's home is worth $10,000,000.
These are just a few examples of the assets held by the little guys within the Catholic Church. It must be chump change to the riches held by the Vatican and the amounts of money held by other denominational churches.
Give, give, give then give some more
A tithing increase to 15 to 20% could provide massive funds toward saving souls. Love and charity comes from where the money rolls. Yet, Christians only give about 2.5% of their income to churches, not the recommended 10% gratuity. Up the ante for goodwill toward all destitute men, women and children! What value are parishioners willing to place on their salvation toward the betterment of their fellow men, women and children?When faithful followers ask questions about tithing, the pastor will likely avoid the issue. Or, as can also happen, a wife may seek guidance on tithing because a meager salary of less than $6.00 per hour isn't enough to raise a child and provide insulin to her gravely ill husband.
A response unbecoming of spiritual guidance often leads to scripture Malachi 3:10: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse … and test me now in this, says the Lord of hosts. If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."The holy man told the woman that she would be cursed without tithing. His words meant for her to hand over dollars, leaving pennies in her hand. A forsaken soul, a lost parishioner.
Churches pay out the dough for litigation, don't you know?
The poor man's contributions have, for years, been used in sex abuse settlements.
The Diocese of St. George sold assets toward a $14 million settlement for the abuse of boys by Rev. Kevin Bennett.
A $7.89M settlement with 15 men was rendered for the sexual abuses of Rev. James McGreal of the Archdiocese of Seattle over a 20-year period. He had served in 10 parishes and 2 Catholic hospitals during that period of time. Of the settlement, $6.89 million was covered by with five insurance carriers and the remainder came from the archdiocese self-insurance program.
In 2003, the Boston Archdiocese paid out a whopping $85M to 552 people sexually abused by clergy. This was the largest settlement in history but by the end of 2002 the church had already paid out over $100M.
In December 2002, Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard F. Law. Although he hadn't been involved in the abuses, Law admitted his failure at protecting the young and innocent. Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation.
By the end of 2002, over 1200 priests were accused of sexual abuse in the United States. Many of the abused began in the 1940's. Multiply 1200 priests x 62 years = way too many criminal abuses on way too many children's lives, over 70-thousand per year... minimum.
The morals of The Church are always in question. Their deeds are good but only when done for the good of all. The Church has squandered its charitable contributions and poorly distributed them. It has led the most innocent astray and rewarded it’s sinful ministries with freedom to once again pursue.
Estimates put the cost to the Catholic Church in 2002 at $1.5B!
The passage of Amendment 2 will see throngs of lawyers in love with the hourly rates for a lengthy period of more litigation. With moneys that should be spent resolving the sad affairs of destitute people, which is apparently of less concern to The Church.
Everybody looses
In 2003, the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, paid out over $30M in settlements and legal and medical bills. Some had called for the resignation of Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly who had kept priests in the ministry even though he was aware they had abused minors. Cover-ups and reassignments kept these deeds hidden for decades.
One parishioner, Cathy Stone, then 78, commented on Kelly, "I think the good he's done outweighs the things he let slide. Nobody is perfect." How forgiving of her.
A total of 243 plaintiffs, mostly men, had endured childhoods that left them emotionally scarred. Many of the abuses had occurred in the 1940's before parishes began carrying litigation insurance so the settlement came from church funds, affecting charities, soup kitchens for the hungry and poor, the deaf, those with drug addiction, and the homeless.
How forgiving of Cathy Stone, indeed. Archbishop Kelly left the church in 2007 for retirement.
“Homosexuals are an abomination!” No more so than are predators within The Church and those who lied under God’s temples in denial of these sins.
These crimes aren't exclusive to the Catholic Church but the fortunes spent on litigation rather than toward social consciousness are enormous. The worth of organized religion is unknown. Annual statements aren’t shared - this may be the only example of separation of Church and State.
The world of religion has wealth in trillions upon trillions of dollars. Perhaps godzillions?
The right remains speechless
Those in favor of Amendment 2 continue to ignore questions and comments that put their moral standards on the grandstand of judgment, just as they judge others.
There is still the question as to how determined the religious right is willing to express their dislike of gays. What of companies that provide domestic partner coverage? Do religious convictions become less ethereal when earthly needs and desires override beliefs? Will the truly devout embrace their creed and forsake giving legitimacy to businesses that provide corporate-enforced recognition of homosexual behavior and give benefits to heterosexuals living outside the sanctity of marriage?Or will they stand by with no conviction? Pick and choose as they will, it is they who will surely continue to give-in to the temptation of material goods and services, regardless the source of religious contempt.
What of neighbors, friends, relatives and businesses that have gay members within their realm of acceptance? Are they treated with contempt, as are the targets of their hatred?
What if same-sex marriages were legal, which they aren't? Would those couples be a threat to the unions of the accepted definition of holy matrimony? It's entirely possible that gay marriages would have fewer divorce rates. For sure, there would be no higher infidelity amoung their numbers.
Just as with politicians, the religious tend to skirt the issues, an apparel not in my wardrobe.
Getting’ down to the skivvies
Amendment 2 is much more than just about banning marriage of same-sex, domestic partner or any two people dependent upon one another, including elderly couples. The unintended aftermath of passage of the Amendment will put into jeopardy the health and well-being of countless men, women and children.
The Amendment brings into question the role that The Church is willing to take for those desperately in need, not just those who have wants in their own denominations. Can organized religion uphold the integrity of God through good will toward all men and women?
People shouldn't have to beg, plead or cry to Heaven when this Earthly life treads hard on their souls.
To paraphrase a statement that most of us heard in our youth, If the Church spent as much time and money as it does to goad people into voting Yes on Amendment 2, millions of people would be much better off than they are.
God hates gays? God does not hate. Man hates. Man is not god.
God hates Gays?
The comment deserves to be worded as "god HATES gays". It's a very small god that embraces hate in a world created by Him.
Supporters of Amendment 2 are unable to articulate anything other than what’s been expressed time and again by every like-minded conservative extremist. They go around in circles to avoid addressing the affects that the passage of Amendment 2 will have on all partners of domestic nature.
"You have the same freedom to marry, etc that all Floridians do" ... is a trumpet song from the ultra-conservative that says it's okay for a gay man and a gay woman to wed and do as they may... perhaps consummate the holy matrimony to have a baby, or adopt an infant, and raise the child as they will... with each of them having their own same sex partner. Very communal.
Homosexuals do not make attempts to force their lifestyle on anyone; they are not
homogeneous to their lifestyle. They are more astute to an individual's needs than are most legally married/divorced non-gays. Gay parents can impress upon their young to consider all viewpoints on religion and politics, which don't mix any better than oil and vinegar, unless the far right shakes 'em up in a frenzy, giving the concoction an appearance of legitimacy when in fact it's an act of collusion.
Because of being chastised and, gays are more astute to giving a more rounded view of the different classes of people and their beliefs that would otherwise be impressed upon them by partisan minds. Gays have broader insights on social awareness than most other minority groups.
There's much more riff raff in traditional marriages than domestic partnerships, putting children at a disadvantage to learning skills and dropping out of school, thus society, than others.
Amendment 2 isn't just about a man and a woman and marriage
Conservatives demand rights to the unborn living, but what of the undead living in poverty, starved for love and nourishment, in poor health with no means to care for life-threatening ailments, abused by health care professionals and ignored by society?The politics of government assures that bureaucracy will continue to leave millions without medical, and mental, treatments thus wasting taxpayer money. Neither presidential candidate can afford taxpayers the medical bills necessary to provide effective health care to every American.
"True believers", as they may call themselves, should become noble saviors to the unfortunate.
They got the moneyThe Church is very rich. It's virtually impossible to find information on the figures that represent the worth of religious groups, although it's easily imagined that it amounts to trillions of dollars.
A Boston Cardinal's home on a 60-acre urban site with a chancery and a seminary is worth $130,000,000.
The Boston Diocese owns a $31,000,000 television station.
The 75-acre estate at the Aldrich Mansion and owned by the Boston Diocese is valued at
$22,000,000. It's rented out for parties.
The Detroit Diocese owns a golf course and conference center: $18,000,000.
A Chicago Cardinal's home is worth $10,000,000.
These are just a few examples of the assets held by the little guys within the Catholic Church. It must be chump change to the riches held by the Vatican and the amounts of money held by other denominational churches.
Give, give, give then give some more
A tithing increase to 15 to 20% could provide massive funds toward saving souls. Love and charity comes from where the money rolls. Yet, Christians only give about 2.5% of their income to churches, not the recommended 10% gratuity. Up the ante for goodwill toward all destitute men, women and children! What value are parishioners willing to place on their salvation toward the betterment of their fellow men, women and children?When faithful followers ask questions about tithing, the pastor will likely avoid the issue. Or, as can also happen, a wife may seek guidance on tithing because a meager salary of less than $6.00 per hour isn't enough to raise a child and provide insulin to her gravely ill husband.
A response unbecoming of spiritual guidance often leads to scripture Malachi 3:10: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse … and test me now in this, says the Lord of hosts. If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."The holy man told the woman that she would be cursed without tithing. His words meant for her to hand over dollars, leaving pennies in her hand. A forsaken soul, a lost parishioner.
Churches pay out the dough for litigation, don't you know?
The poor man's contributions have, for years, been used in sex abuse settlements.
The Diocese of St. George sold assets toward a $14 million settlement for the abuse of boys by Rev. Kevin Bennett.
A $7.89M settlement with 15 men was rendered for the sexual abuses of Rev. James McGreal of the Archdiocese of Seattle over a 20-year period. He had served in 10 parishes and 2 Catholic hospitals during that period of time. Of the settlement, $6.89 million was covered by with five insurance carriers and the remainder came from the archdiocese self-insurance program.
In 2003, the Boston Archdiocese paid out a whopping $85M to 552 people sexually abused by clergy. This was the largest settlement in history but by the end of 2002 the church had already paid out over $100M.
In December 2002, Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard F. Law. Although he hadn't been involved in the abuses, Law admitted his failure at protecting the young and innocent. Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation.
By the end of 2002, over 1200 priests were accused of sexual abuse in the United States. Many of the abused began in the 1940's. Multiply 1200 priests x 62 years = way too many criminal abuses on way too many children's lives, over 70-thousand per year... minimum.
The morals of The Church are always in question. Their deeds are good but only when done for the good of all. The Church has squandered its charitable contributions and poorly distributed them. It has led the most innocent astray and rewarded it’s sinful ministries with freedom to once again pursue.
Estimates put the cost to the Catholic Church in 2002 at $1.5B!
The passage of Amendment 2 will see throngs of lawyers in love with the hourly rates for a lengthy period of more litigation. With moneys that should be spent resolving the sad affairs of destitute people, which is apparently of less concern to The Church.
Everybody looses
In 2003, the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, paid out over $30M in settlements and legal and medical bills. Some had called for the resignation of Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly who had kept priests in the ministry even though he was aware they had abused minors. Cover-ups and reassignments kept these deeds hidden for decades.
One parishioner, Cathy Stone, then 78, commented on Kelly, "I think the good he's done outweighs the things he let slide. Nobody is perfect." How forgiving of her.
A total of 243 plaintiffs, mostly men, had endured childhoods that left them emotionally scarred. Many of the abuses had occurred in the 1940's before parishes began carrying litigation insurance so the settlement came from church funds, affecting charities, soup kitchens for the hungry and poor, the deaf, those with drug addiction, and the homeless.
How forgiving of Cathy Stone, indeed. Archbishop Kelly left the church in 2007 for retirement.
“Homosexuals are an abomination!” No more so than are predators within The Church and those who lied under God’s temples in denial of these sins.
These crimes aren't exclusive to the Catholic Church but the fortunes spent on litigation rather than toward social consciousness are enormous. The worth of organized religion is unknown. Annual statements aren’t shared - this may be the only example of separation of Church and State.
The world of religion has wealth in trillions upon trillions of dollars. Perhaps godzillions?
The right remains speechless
Those in favor of Amendment 2 continue to ignore questions and comments that put their moral standards on the grandstand of judgment, just as they judge others.
There is still the question as to how determined the religious right is willing to express their dislike of gays. What of companies that provide domestic partner coverage? Do religious convictions become less ethereal when earthly needs and desires override beliefs? Will the truly devout embrace their creed and forsake giving legitimacy to businesses that provide corporate-enforced recognition of homosexual behavior and give benefits to heterosexuals living outside the sanctity of marriage?Or will they stand by with no conviction? Pick and choose as they will, it is they who will surely continue to give-in to the temptation of material goods and services, regardless the source of religious contempt.
What of neighbors, friends, relatives and businesses that have gay members within their realm of acceptance? Are they treated with contempt, as are the targets of their hatred?
What if same-sex marriages were legal, which they aren't? Would those couples be a threat to the unions of the accepted definition of holy matrimony? It's entirely possible that gay marriages would have fewer divorce rates. For sure, there would be no higher infidelity amoung their numbers.
Just as with politicians, the religious tend to skirt the issues, an apparel not in my wardrobe.
Getting’ down to the skivvies
Amendment 2 is much more than just about banning marriage of same-sex, domestic partner or any two people dependent upon one another, including elderly couples. The unintended aftermath of passage of the Amendment will put into jeopardy the health and well-being of countless men, women and children.
The Amendment brings into question the role that The Church is willing to take for those desperately in need, not just those who have wants in their own denominations. Can organized religion uphold the integrity of God through good will toward all men and women?
People shouldn't have to beg, plead or cry to Heaven when this Earthly life treads hard on their souls.
To paraphrase a statement that most of us heard in our youth, If the Church spent as much time and money as it does to goad people into voting Yes on Amendment 2, millions of people would be much better off than they are.
God hates gays? God does not hate. Man hates. Man is not god.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Piddle Drips
A fine mist to those who believe that, if it weren’t for the County Commissioners of the past four years and more, there would have been a different scenario than what has been the tendency to spend beyond fiscal responsibility. Nearly every local, state and federal government has taken part in spending easy moneys garnered from taxpayers.
*
A good spraying to Charlie Crist for his absenteeism of governing Florida to resolve issues most worrisome to its residents. His spotlight faded as he shunned the Sunshine State while campaigning with John McCain as a Vice Presidential contender. And where is he right now for McCain, or Florida?
* *
A steady stream goes to The Blaze, the supporters and self-interest groups who have demonized the three incumbent County Commissioners. The act of contributing thousands of dollars to put a personal brand of politicians in county seats is a bad bet unless the slight of hand will eventually handsomely pay off to make it a wager well pocketed.
A steady stream goes to The Blaze, the supporters and self-interest groups who have demonized the three incumbent County Commissioners. The act of contributing thousands of dollars to put a personal brand of politicians in county seats is a bad bet unless the slight of hand will eventually handsomely pay off to make it a wager well pocketed.
* * *
A deluge goes to Wall Street and its history of pandering to questionable lending practices. Overflows go to Congress for buckling in to the unpopular means of bailing out those who have largely contributed to manipulating homeowners to spend beyond their means.
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Promise Kept?
It was at the end of a long, drawn out day in April when the surprise decision of a 4 to 1 vote on the Hickory Hill subdivision that I committed myself to do a bit of campaigning for the odd-Commissioner out-of-line with the rest. Each of our mouths dropped at the end of the hearing. A bit of anger and a swelling of the eyes and a promise was made.
There’s no secret who this Hernando County Commissioner is. So much so that I really don’t have to spell out the name or the gender.
So, when the time came a couple of months ago to act upon that my commitment, The Commissioner verified that I was “the guy who writes blogs” and the inquiry as to what I was willing to do for the re-election. What else could I say but “Write”. Not exactly what The Commissioner had anticipated. I got the impression my point was mute. I silently agreed with The Commissioner’s tone that I was being shamefully shy in acting on my commitment.
But… since that conversation, I have followed The Commissioner’s very own style of promoting a victory next month on Election Day 2008. A very important day indeed on every level of voter decision-making. You gotta check the right box on the ballot or forever hold your foolish mark on the future.
So, what have I been up to over the past weeks? As has been reported, The Commissioner’s tactics are simple. Talk friend-to-friend, neighbor-to-neighbor and acquaintance-to- acquaintance about the wise choice(s) that I have made for voting on the three up-for-grabs Commissioner seatings. Who of the candidates will place their butts on the Board for the next four year? We shall see how the voting goes… with anticipation.
Each of my conversations leads to the decisions that have been made at the Hernando County Government Center over the past two, too long years. Not just Hickory Hill, but the other approved subdivisions of Lake Hideaway and Sunrise. Build, build, build for as far as the future can be seen. Not one of the people I’ve talked to were aware that amid this period of known reduction in property taxes and what I view as giving away of infrastructure moneys (impact fees) to accommodate the proliferation of daunting home building.
Not one of these voters can understand what the rush has been to pass, pass, pass the land use hearings that will lead to Hernando County through another phase of employment opportunities dependent on construction jobs, lawn maintenance careers and incomes that will assure the success of retail stores for at least the next two decades - mediocre salaries. It's no secret to me that the developers were well aware of changes that would be more costly to their enterprises at the expence and suprise to taxpayers - hidden costs.
I should hope The Commissioner views my efforts as positive re-enforcements for the re-election bid against the “droozly” opponent.
Here’s an exercise at solving an anagram. Re-arrange the letters ADDEEINNORW. Clue: it's a synonym of MAVERICK. Not the Republican kind, though.
There’s no secret who this Hernando County Commissioner is. So much so that I really don’t have to spell out the name or the gender.
So, when the time came a couple of months ago to act upon that my commitment, The Commissioner verified that I was “the guy who writes blogs” and the inquiry as to what I was willing to do for the re-election. What else could I say but “Write”. Not exactly what The Commissioner had anticipated. I got the impression my point was mute. I silently agreed with The Commissioner’s tone that I was being shamefully shy in acting on my commitment.
But… since that conversation, I have followed The Commissioner’s very own style of promoting a victory next month on Election Day 2008. A very important day indeed on every level of voter decision-making. You gotta check the right box on the ballot or forever hold your foolish mark on the future.
So, what have I been up to over the past weeks? As has been reported, The Commissioner’s tactics are simple. Talk friend-to-friend, neighbor-to-neighbor and acquaintance-to- acquaintance about the wise choice(s) that I have made for voting on the three up-for-grabs Commissioner seatings. Who of the candidates will place their butts on the Board for the next four year? We shall see how the voting goes… with anticipation.
Each of my conversations leads to the decisions that have been made at the Hernando County Government Center over the past two, too long years. Not just Hickory Hill, but the other approved subdivisions of Lake Hideaway and Sunrise. Build, build, build for as far as the future can be seen. Not one of the people I’ve talked to were aware that amid this period of known reduction in property taxes and what I view as giving away of infrastructure moneys (impact fees) to accommodate the proliferation of daunting home building.
Not one of these voters can understand what the rush has been to pass, pass, pass the land use hearings that will lead to Hernando County through another phase of employment opportunities dependent on construction jobs, lawn maintenance careers and incomes that will assure the success of retail stores for at least the next two decades - mediocre salaries. It's no secret to me that the developers were well aware of changes that would be more costly to their enterprises at the expence and suprise to taxpayers - hidden costs.
I should hope The Commissioner views my efforts as positive re-enforcements for the re-election bid against the “droozly” opponent.
Here’s an exercise at solving an anagram. Re-arrange the letters ADDEEINNORW. Clue: it's a synonym of MAVERICK. Not the Republican kind, though.
I Cried Like A...
... person who embraces a long lost friend.
The blog entry “Good To Be Back… Or Is It?” was quick in the making after a lengthy period of isolation from submitting any letters to the editor of Hernando Today.
Finally, words that suited my personal acceptance was delivered, by e-mail, for consideration of being printed. A fine time to do it after a couple of months of the far and few entries in my blogs.
There was a bit of passion on the topic. A feeling of accomplishment for writing on a subject that got my goat. It was an opportunity to express emotions about the state of affairs in Hernando County. And I did it without the gloat of self arrogance.
The words came about as a second-round thought process. Boy oh boy the first word document was a bunch of gibberish, making comments about a variety of topics from Sundays’s editions of Hernando Today and the Hernando Times.
Goats, the supervisor of elections and amphibians. It went on and on, making a few points here and there but, upon re-reading the words, most definitely going nowhere in slow motion. I was rather upset when I shut down the computer at the end of Sunday’s hours.
What did I finally come up with? Monday morning brought about a frenzy and pointed thoughts on a single topic. A bite here and a lashing there. And what did I come up with? Something that brought back a feeling of creative accomplishment. Will it get printed anywhere else than on my blog? Whatever. The important matter is that it truly mattered to me.
Yes, my eyes dampened on completion of saving the expressions on Word Document. Then, the send key shot it out to be reviewed by the Editors. ‘Nuff said, ‘nuff done. The exercise was fun.
And now this somewhat private, candid explanation of my dampened pleasures.
May this drought of blog entries come to an ending.
No, I didn’t need a tissue to soak up the salty moisture. It quickly evaporated as swift typing on the keyboard added this very blog to my repertoire.
The blog entry “Good To Be Back… Or Is It?” was quick in the making after a lengthy period of isolation from submitting any letters to the editor of Hernando Today.
Finally, words that suited my personal acceptance was delivered, by e-mail, for consideration of being printed. A fine time to do it after a couple of months of the far and few entries in my blogs.
There was a bit of passion on the topic. A feeling of accomplishment for writing on a subject that got my goat. It was an opportunity to express emotions about the state of affairs in Hernando County. And I did it without the gloat of self arrogance.
The words came about as a second-round thought process. Boy oh boy the first word document was a bunch of gibberish, making comments about a variety of topics from Sundays’s editions of Hernando Today and the Hernando Times.
Goats, the supervisor of elections and amphibians. It went on and on, making a few points here and there but, upon re-reading the words, most definitely going nowhere in slow motion. I was rather upset when I shut down the computer at the end of Sunday’s hours.
What did I finally come up with? Monday morning brought about a frenzy and pointed thoughts on a single topic. A bite here and a lashing there. And what did I come up with? Something that brought back a feeling of creative accomplishment. Will it get printed anywhere else than on my blog? Whatever. The important matter is that it truly mattered to me.
Yes, my eyes dampened on completion of saving the expressions on Word Document. Then, the send key shot it out to be reviewed by the Editors. ‘Nuff said, ‘nuff done. The exercise was fun.
And now this somewhat private, candid explanation of my dampened pleasures.
May this drought of blog entries come to an ending.
No, I didn’t need a tissue to soak up the salty moisture. It quickly evaporated as swift typing on the keyboard added this very blog to my repertoire.
Getting Malled
I understand that on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Hernando County Planning & Zoning Commission approved that Board of County Commissioners the opportunity to further review a request of H. R. Hernando LLP to instill in the County a 57-acre shopping center in the vicinity of I-75 and SR 50. It is to be named Nature Coast Commons.
The unanimous decision came of no surprise since the request was “consistent” with the current master plan and zoning requirements. So it goes and let it be.
I did a little Googling and found nothing on H. R. Hernando LLP, although Nature Coast Commons immediately referred me to a web site that told me the project intends to splatter the east side of the County with anchor stores that include Best Buy, JC Penney (gotta love ‘em), Office Depot and Ross Dress For Less, among others.
Blue blazers shot before my eyes. Here we go again: the big box mentality is “in consistency” with what goes on around this town.
There are no enticements that will prompt me to grace those acres and acres of another blimp of a larger-than-usual strip mall. I won’t go there any more than I frequent all those retail stores that proliferate the rest of Hernando County.
I want a mall! Right there just off I-75 on Hwy 50 where the SunCoast Toll Road to Tampa would entice shoppers from surrounding areas. Just as tourist dollars from non-residents are cream on the topping of county funds, it could have been a small gold mine.
As is the common practice of shopping in the County, it sends me spending time traipsing from one store to another in the heat of summer, the short periods of chills in the air in our winter wonderland and the sometimes-inclement stormy weather of spring, summer and hurricane seasons.
The creeks don’t rise and the rivers don’t flow in this fair County, but the numbers of strip malls continue to grow!
I want to be malled! No waste of gas, time and the aggravations of going here, there and somewhere else. I want the convenience of entering one REALLY BIG box that provides a leisurely stroll along the storefronts that are side-by-side and across from each other. I want a place where I can see more people of a variety than I can imagine. Adults, young adults, kids, toddlers and, yes, senior citizens. Families together and family members cruising stores of each of their singular interests. Groups of elderly people strolling together on days when there are fewer shoppers for a peaceful period of mild exercise. These are signs of life as we should view it.
You may say, lump it, leave it, just don’t peeve it! Fed up in Hernando? Not quite yet. Now is not the time to expect a quick or even lengthy time period of selling a home, although it’s a dandy period to purchase a home elsewhere.
Elderly relatives in Zephyr Hills are of primary concern. Their minds are well but their aching bodies foretell the inevitable. I don’t desert loved ones.
I blame government officials and business leaders for the spreads of ever-growing unoccupied homes, and those not yet built on Hickory Hill, Sunrise and Lake Hideaway. They’ve done their best to boxed us in with small town decisions. I’d like to take each of these people and box their ears, one by one. This is no threat of bodily harm, just an upside down euphemism strewn with sarcasm. What a good humor man, I am!
Cases in point: a shopping center in the vicinity of Spring Hill Drive and the SunCoast-Tampa Toll Road, was to be named “Shoppes of Spring Hill” but changed to “SunCoast Crossing” this past April to better identify the location along the toll road. Or to distance the 53-acre tract from local identification? That’s kind of impersonal.
I suppose the remaining location for a mall in Hernando County would be along County Line Road off the SunCoast, although chance would put a Wal-Mart there.
If we can’t attract a developer to build Masaryktown Mall, another chance would bring about Pasco County Mall… in another county.
For the time being I’ll continue to walk among the shops at the Gulf View Mall… in another county. Or, for a less congested, less red light-infested journey, I can head to the Crystal River Mall… in another county. One trip – one parking spot. Two choices... not in Hernando County.
Any guesses where I’ll do my primary Holiday shopping?
The unanimous decision came of no surprise since the request was “consistent” with the current master plan and zoning requirements. So it goes and let it be.
I did a little Googling and found nothing on H. R. Hernando LLP, although Nature Coast Commons immediately referred me to a web site that told me the project intends to splatter the east side of the County with anchor stores that include Best Buy, JC Penney (gotta love ‘em), Office Depot and Ross Dress For Less, among others.
Blue blazers shot before my eyes. Here we go again: the big box mentality is “in consistency” with what goes on around this town.
There are no enticements that will prompt me to grace those acres and acres of another blimp of a larger-than-usual strip mall. I won’t go there any more than I frequent all those retail stores that proliferate the rest of Hernando County.
I want a mall! Right there just off I-75 on Hwy 50 where the SunCoast Toll Road to Tampa would entice shoppers from surrounding areas. Just as tourist dollars from non-residents are cream on the topping of county funds, it could have been a small gold mine.
As is the common practice of shopping in the County, it sends me spending time traipsing from one store to another in the heat of summer, the short periods of chills in the air in our winter wonderland and the sometimes-inclement stormy weather of spring, summer and hurricane seasons.
The creeks don’t rise and the rivers don’t flow in this fair County, but the numbers of strip malls continue to grow!
I want to be malled! No waste of gas, time and the aggravations of going here, there and somewhere else. I want the convenience of entering one REALLY BIG box that provides a leisurely stroll along the storefronts that are side-by-side and across from each other. I want a place where I can see more people of a variety than I can imagine. Adults, young adults, kids, toddlers and, yes, senior citizens. Families together and family members cruising stores of each of their singular interests. Groups of elderly people strolling together on days when there are fewer shoppers for a peaceful period of mild exercise. These are signs of life as we should view it.
You may say, lump it, leave it, just don’t peeve it! Fed up in Hernando? Not quite yet. Now is not the time to expect a quick or even lengthy time period of selling a home, although it’s a dandy period to purchase a home elsewhere.
Elderly relatives in Zephyr Hills are of primary concern. Their minds are well but their aching bodies foretell the inevitable. I don’t desert loved ones.
I blame government officials and business leaders for the spreads of ever-growing unoccupied homes, and those not yet built on Hickory Hill, Sunrise and Lake Hideaway. They’ve done their best to boxed us in with small town decisions. I’d like to take each of these people and box their ears, one by one. This is no threat of bodily harm, just an upside down euphemism strewn with sarcasm. What a good humor man, I am!
Cases in point: a shopping center in the vicinity of Spring Hill Drive and the SunCoast-Tampa Toll Road, was to be named “Shoppes of Spring Hill” but changed to “SunCoast Crossing” this past April to better identify the location along the toll road. Or to distance the 53-acre tract from local identification? That’s kind of impersonal.
I suppose the remaining location for a mall in Hernando County would be along County Line Road off the SunCoast, although chance would put a Wal-Mart there.
If we can’t attract a developer to build Masaryktown Mall, another chance would bring about Pasco County Mall… in another county.
For the time being I’ll continue to walk among the shops at the Gulf View Mall… in another county. Or, for a less congested, less red light-infested journey, I can head to the Crystal River Mall… in another county. One trip – one parking spot. Two choices... not in Hernando County.
Any guesses where I’ll do my primary Holiday shopping?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)