LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 06.23.211

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+ Donna Hayes will not run for re-election
Dear Editor:
It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as Manatee County commissioner. During the past 31 years, I have enjoyed community involvement on numerous committees, and I hope that will continue.
In 1992, I was a vocal supporter of “Eight Is Enough” legislation that limited Legislative House terms to eight years. I plan to impose those limits on myself. My original commitment to supporters was to serve a minimum of eight years, and with God’s blessing, I will complete my eighth year as commissioner.
I will not be a candidate in 2012.

Many folks leave public office to pursue a business opportunity, but I have already had a business. My intent is to spend more time with my family, travel, golf, enjoy my social life and other personal endeavors. Special thanks is extended to all of my family, friends and supporters who have encouraged me to serve another four years, but I must confess that my personal commitments have prevailed.

My purpose in announcing my intentions early is to allow a proven qualified community leader to seek the county commissioner seat in District 5. I will support a conservative candidate with a strong record of community involvement and genuine roots in Manatee County. Manatee County deserves the best.

Thank you for the outstanding privilege of serving as Manatee County Commissioner. Campaign contributions (2012) will be fully refunded.

Donna G. Hayes
Manatee County commissioner

+ Follow the money, standardize yellow lights
I would agree with everything that Rod Thomson’s article about traffic light monitors mentions. But the biggest and only point is completely missed.  

If red-light cameras are our new reality, take the mystery away from the timing of the light, give me a reasonable and standardized number of seconds where the light can dependably be yellow. I know what to expect at McDonald’s; it’s always the same thing. If light monitors are predictably on every corner too, why not allow everyone to dependably predict the timing at every light?

It’s not stupid, just well calculated on the side of the law. The only purpose I can ascertain is to make money. Companies that manufacture the light-monitoring equipment install for free and line the pockets of local governments with a percentage of the take in an annuity that makes plenty of money for all involved. It amounts to highway robbery, literally.   

Standardizing the light sequence in favor of the average citizen will cost the county plenty and lessen the chances that the government will earn money. Stop fleecing citizens while justifying the fleecing with the imposition of a variable law. 

Allan Zuckerman
Sarasota

+ Teachers have right to free speech, too
Dear Editor:
Your editorial comment regarding teacher protests is right on. What a horrible example these teachers are setting exercising their right to free speech.

They should just shut up, sit down and take their medicine. How do they expect the state to give tax breaks to small businesses? After all, it was teachers, firefighters and policemen who got us into this economic mess. Or, not!

John H. Bruns
Lakewood Ranch