TalkHernando

Local Hospital's Care Questioned

2009-10-11T19:28:00.001-07:00

Brooksville Regional Hospital's sub-standard care has been highlighted in the local media once again.

Brooksville Regional has been discussed before- namely its Emergency Room care. Experience would verify the lack of compassion or integrity displayed by Brooksville's ER staff. There are some bright spots, but overall the quality is poor.

The current story can be found here: Brooksville ER story.

-- Post From iPhone Mobile*

H.S. Football Picks 10/9/09

2009-10-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

The TH weekly high school football picks this week:

Lake Weir-51 Springstead-7

Tavares-38 Hernando-14

West Port- 28 Central- 12

Hernando Christian-14 Bishop McLaughlin-0

Last TH was 1-4 choosing all Hernando teams to win. Expectations were too high. They are much lower this week. Only expecting Hernando Christian to break through.

H.S. Football Picks 10/2/09

2009-10-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

Today's picks by TH:

Central-22 River Ridge- 19

Springstead-35 Ridgewood- 33

Hernando Christian-12 Seven Rivers-10

Nature Coast-30 Leesburg-10

Hernando- 18 Dunellon- 16

TH is going with all the home teams this week.

H.S. Picks 9/25/09

2009-09-24T21:32:00.001-07:00

After a surprising 1-2 week, TH expects to rebound as Nature Coast rebounds this week.

Nature Coast- 24 Tavares- 23 NCTHS should rebound by topping a strong Tavares team.

Springstead- 42 Lecanto- 7 Springstead will get on track with area whipping boy Lecanto. Springstead has offensive potential as evidenced in the game against rival Hernando.

Crystal River- 33 Hernando- 7 Hernando is not a strong team and CRHS squeeked past Nature Coast last week; and Hernando is no Nature Coast.

UPSET SPECIAL: HCA- 21 Carrollwood Day- 16 Just a feeling about this game. All odds are against HCA: away, no wins, CD undefeated, etc., but just a feeling.

-- Post From iPhone Mobile*

H.S. Football Picks 9/18/09

2009-09-18T15:00:00.001-07:00

Last week TH was 2-1 again. Nature Coast blew by Springstead and Hernando squeeked by lowly Lecanto, but Hernando Christian lost for the second time. TH is officially 4-2 after the second week of football.

This week's picks are as follows:
Land O' Lakes- 49 Springstead- 7: Springstead is no match for the Gators.

Nature Coast- 45 Citrus- 12: NCT is going to continue to prove last year was just the beginning by staying undefeated.

Hernando Christian- 16 Master's Academy- 14: HCA cannot stay winless and MA is just the team to snap the streak.

-- Post From iPhone Mobile*

H.S. Football Picks 9/11/09

2009-09-11T01:54:00.001-07:00

Last week TH was 2-1. Let's see how this week shakes down.

Nature Coast- 32 Springstead- 19 //NCTHS is just too much for SHS.

South Sumter- 52 Central- 14 //Central just does not stack up this year. SS will be too much to handle.

Hernando- 24 Lecanto- 21 //HHS was in OT with Springstead last week, but it was a fluke. Lowly LHS will hold their own vs HHS.

Hernando Christian- 34 Leesburg First Academy- 7 //HCA is filled with potential.

-- Post From iPhone Mobile*

H.S. Football Results 9/4/09

2009-09-08T00:41:00.001-07:00

TH was 2-1 last week. The expected Saturday recap was delayed because the Springstead/Hernando game had to be completed on Saturday due to a blown transformer.

Springstead slipped past Hernando 26-25 (TH 1-0).

Nature Coast coasted to its first win against Central 44-6 (TH 2-0).

Hernando Christian fell to All-Saints' Academy 17-12 (TH 2-1).

The Springstead/Hernando game was a close one as predicted; Nature Coast blew out Central as expected. However, HCA surprised TH with a loss.

All in all it was still a good football week for the county.

-- Post From iPhone Mobile*

Springstead Debacle

2009-09-04T19:13:00.001-07:00

The Duval administration at Springstead should be embarrassed. The scoreboard did not work, the lights went out and the announcer seemed confused.

The question is: did they test the equipment before the game?

The game was rescheduled for 9am Saturday morning.

-- Post From iPhone Mobile*

Hernando H.S. Predictions

2009-09-04T05:08:00.001-07:00

TH is back with area high school football picks.

Springstead- 24 Hernando- 18
Nature Coast- 39 Central- 12
Hernando Christian- 45 WH All-Saints- 6

TH picks HCA as the preseason favorite to have the best record at 9-1. TH picks Nature Coast to win the County by sweeping SHS, HHS and CHS this season.

-- Post From iPhone Mobile*

Brooksville Regional Hospital Sued

2009-05-21T04:50:00.000-07:00

The poor treatment by many at Brooksville Regional Hospital is on display in the following report by WTVT tevelision channel 13.

Nicholson: Hypocrite

2009-05-15T03:25:00.001-07:00

Sandra Nicholson, Hernando County School Board member, took time to speak to the Hernando Today, criticizing the principal of Nature Coast Technical High School, Margaret Schoelles.

The criticism might hold some weight if Ms. Nichols would hold Mr. Alexander to a standard. She gives the county's biggest liar a pass and expects to be taken seriously when she takes a school board employee to task.

-- Post From TH Mobile*

Wayne Alexander: Just Go

2009-05-07T00:25:00.001-07:00

Mr. Alexander is so full of himself. In the Hernando Times he is quoted as saying, "Perhaps I moved too fast for some. Perhaps the personality at times was overbearing. But the results speak for themselves."

Excuse me, Mr. Alexander, but what results? The drop in morale? The changes in school administration that left students with new faces to learn how to trust? Mr. Alexander avoided the charges of favoritism, but called himself "overbearing" as far as his personality is concerned. I wonder if his potential employers up North read that quote. I wonder if they are comfortable with it.

It would best serve the Hernando County school system if Mr. Alexander would take his pompous personality (or should I say "overbearing?") and just leave. Just go Mr. Alexander.

-- Post From TH Mobile*

Wayne Alexander: Untrustworthy

2009-04-15T21:18:00.001-07:00

Wayne Alexander is making a fool out of himself and the county school system. The embarrassing turn of events that led him to resign and then rescind his resignation only shed light on his lack of character.

Mr. Alexander should be removed. Many believe that he only rescinded his resignation because leaving early hurt his efforts to land another job. It looks bad on the old resumé.

His practices seem overly aggressive and unnecessary. His choice to ax a number of teachers and school system employees seems to lack a clear method of determining who needs to go- despite what he might say.

-- Post From TH Mobile*

HERNANDO COUNTY TEA PARTY 4/15/2009

2009-04-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

From the Hernando County Taxpayers Alliance notice:

Hernando County Taxpayers Alliance

Have you had about as much as you can take?

Meet with fellow taxpayers to DEMONSTRATE THAT WE feel that our Elected "Representatives" are not Representing us but are giving away OUR Assets in trade for contributions to their own upcoming elections or feathering their own nests while we lose our homes and our retirements.

2:00 PM 4-15-09 GOVERNMENT CENTER - DOWNTOWN BROOKSVILLE

BRING SIGNS and TEABAGS!

Have you had about as much as you can take?

Teacher Hits Student at Explorer K-8

2009-03-24T11:27:00.001-07:00

According to the Hernando Today article, "Substitute Teacher Cited for Slapping Student" Chandra Bennington slapped a student for yelling in her face.

It seems clear that the is a lack of discipline with students and some teachers. It reaches all over the nation- teachers having sex with students, students disrespecting teachers, students hitting teachers and, like this instance, a student being hit by a teacher.

According to the sometimes less than accurate Hernando Today, the students in the class were consistent in saying that Ms. Bennington slapped the young man "hard enough to make a sound."

The Hernando Times report is similar, but has a bit more detail. In both the student testimony apparently supported their classmate's perspective. However, the Times reports that Ms. Bennington is only 5'4" and 98lbs. It may be that the young man was trying to intimidate Ms. Bennington and she reacted as she apparently did.

Brush Fire Near 301 & 50

2009-03-23T04:24:00.001-07:00

A brush fire in eastern Hernando County may mean some smokey conditions throughout the County (depending on wind conditions, etc).

-- Post From TH Mobile*

Pine Island: A Scarred Beach

2009-03-21T21:12:00.001-07:00

When you decide it is time for a beach trip Hernando County offers Pine Island. It is nice for the sand and the kiddie area, but the water leaves something to be desired.

First, there are signs everywhere. Signs for everything. Signs to tell you there is no lifeguard available. Signs to warn of rocks. Signs to tell you not to swim past a certain point (I have found that is usually only hip level at best where that sign is, so I simply walk past that sign- that is in the spirit of the sign's meaning, right?).

Back in the 1980's there were two islands to swim out to- I suppose storms destroyed them. There were also trees. It was a more comfortable park. The bonus was that there was no charge to get in.

I also remember seeing people walk out quite far from the beach. I did so myself once or twice. Less rules, less clutter from signs and more fun.

Now there is talk of raising the fee to go to the beach. There has to be an end to what the County is willing to do to bleed the citizenry dry of every cent. Two dollars is already outrageous.

TH strongly opposes any raise in price to visit Pine Island.

-- Post From TH Mobile*

One Commissioner for the People (One Against)

2009-03-10T07:49:00.000-07:00

In an email publicized on WWJB's Haa-Wire radio show, one county commissioner called some of his constituents "malcontents." In a request for information regarding fees for information, Mr. Jeff Stabins (R) used the derogatory term toward unnamed persons Stabins feels "waste tax-payer dollars."

However, Mr. Jim Adkins (R) was the sole member of the board to oppose the fee for information policy. According to the Hernando Today article, County Boss Seeks To Overturn Info Policy, Mr. Adkins is quoted as saying, "It takes transparency out of government."

Apparently the policy has been named the "Duplication of Documents Fees Policy," but it is a misnomer. It is more than a duplication of fees, as is inferred in the email from Mr. Stabins:

"Since there is clearly a cost involved in preparing special reports for individuals, a commensurate charge is provided for in the new policy. This protects the taxpayers of the county from subsidizing the whims of a few malcontents with their own personal agendas."

Nice way of putting it Mr. Stabins. That type of attitude is probably a big part of why Mr. Kingsley and Mrs. Rowden are no longer sitting on the board. Hopefully Mr. Adkins can sway some of his fellow commissioners.

Ingoglia v. Realty Prez

2009-03-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

Blaise Ingoglia is again trying to boost Hernando County. He has a new plan to help with foreclosed homes. Marylin Pearson-Adams, President of the Hernando County Realtors Association opposes him.

In a heated exchange of emails the fur is flying. Now this is entertainment. I, personally, pull for Mr. Ingoglia. He put up his own money to help oust Rowden and Kingsley. He is concerned for this county. I have no real opinion about Mrs. Pearson-Adams.

A link to the story is found here: CPR AUTHOR STARTS SPAT WITH REALTORS

DISCLAIMER:

Keep in mind that this story is from the Hernando Today. It has been less than fair in its coverage of news in the past. Kyle Martin does not seem to want to know both sides- or other sides of any story. In the past he was offered additional information on a story (I know about this one first hand) and did not even respond.

Northern Troops Raid Brooksville (2009)

2009-01-18T08:48:00.000-08:00

In a stunning show of force, Lincoln's blue-clad well-supplied troops overcame the ragtag Confederate troops giving everything they had to defend their home.

The valiant efforts of the Florida troops were in vain, they gave the invaders a run for their money.

I am not sure that the papers would have described a battle such as what was witnessed on Saturday January 17, 2009 as above, however, it was a fun and educational time at the 29th annual Brooksville Raid. This was my first time going despite being from Hernando County.

While not focusing on the arguments about slavery and "preserving the Union"- just seeing the Southern troops as the home team defending our homes against the strangers from the North (with their funny accents)- it was almost like being at a football game. I think most of the folks there were pulling for the South. I certainly was. This is not meant to open up arguments about who was right- I can give reasons for why I think one side was right in most areas- but this post is about Hernando County and not politics or historical debate.

The Raid is worthwhile for educational purposes. Also, typically at reenactments each side has a day to win. Today, Sunday, January 18, 2009, should find the Southern troops successfully defending our land.

Hernando Today's take on the Raid: Old Dresses and Rifles Galore...

Brooksville Raid link: 29th Annual Brooksville Raid

Local Hospitals & Smoking

2009-01-01T22:59:00.001-08:00

While I am not a smoker, nor do I think cigarettes should be sold since they are addictive and dangerous, I feel that the new "Citrus/Hernando Tobacco-Free Community Initiative" is overreaching.

I have no problem with hospitals restricting smoking on their property. However, when a person is banned from smoking in their car- that is outrageous. Has our society gone that far? Is "Big Brother" that acceptable?

The local hospitals would benefit from seriously imporving patient care and working on the smug, foul attitudes of many nurses and doctors. The Emergency Room staff tends to be the worst at each hospital, with many obnoxious nurses and doctors with a god-complex.

Why not work on those issues instead of trying to force people to live the way "Big Brother" wants them to?

Back to the blog

2009-01-01T20:37:00.001-08:00

It has been quite a while since I have done anything with this blog, but I will begin again. I had not kept up with the blog until today and saw a comment from "Mabel." Thanks, it has encouraged me to pick it back up.

A Commission Power Trip, etc.

2007-11-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

From the Hernando Today:

County Commissioner Chris Kingsley called the criticism of Fagan unfair.

“He's been here 36 years (and) he's worked his butt off,” Kingsley said. “He's not cheating the taxpayers out of a single dollar.”

Kingsley said it is unfortunate that he, as a board member, at times did not speak up sooner when residents' comments got out of hand.

“There are times when citizens get up there and start going off on a county employee and it's not really what those meetings are for,” he said. “The meetings are meant to be productive and carry out the business of the county.”

As commission chairman, Jeff Stabins said he tries to “air on the side of free speech.

“Unfortunately, free speech goes over the edge,” he said.

First, it is a shame the Commissioners always seek to rebuke the constituents. They are on a power trip that should be cut short during the next elections. Kingsley displayed his pettiness when he last lost in a run for County Commission. Both Democrats and Republicans on the Commission think more highly of themselves than they ought.

Second, forget the bird. Get a life. In a nation where lives of people are so undervalued (see the news and all the senseless murders, see television and all the senseless murders, etc.), put the bird in perspective.

Third, Pat Fagan has been parks director for "over thirty years?" I remember him being a P.E. teacher at Westside Elementary School; was he the Parks director while teaching P.E.? It is possible, but it would be nice to see that explained one day.

Final H.S. Football Results 2007

2007-11-11T23:12:00.000-08:00

Springstead beat Lecanto- Lecanto proved they are among the worst teams in the area. SHS avoided Hernando High's humiliation. (TH 1-0)

Central topped Nature Coast- Central went undefeated in the County to take the County Crown. Congratulations CHS Bears. (TH 1-1)

Pasco disposed of Hernando- No surprise there. (TH 2-1)

HCA stomped St. John's Luteran- HCA had a very successful season. They did not schedule over their heads and are allowing their team to grow into maturity. (TH 3-1)

TH was 22-13 going into the last weekend of HS Football (regular season- only Nature Coast plays on another day). TH was 25-14 this season.

Area HS Football Picks- Nov. 9

2007-11-09T02:38:00.000-08:00

Last week TH was 4-1. Quite an improvement over the beginning of the season. This week's picks follow.

Springstead- 33 Lecanto- 0 Springstead shows that it can beat teams it should beat (case in point: SHS rolled over River Ridge a couple of weeks ago 35-21). Expect Springstead to take out the season's frustrations on lowly Lecanto. It is doubtful that SHS will squeeze by like Hernando did.

Nature Coast- 27 Central- 21 Nature Coast and Central both come in at 2-0 in the county after beating Hernando and Springstead. With a win, one school will take the County crown. Nature Coast was slightly more impressive in its season thus far.

Pasco- 51 Hernando- 6 This should be a dismal end to a dismal season for the Leopards. Pasco needs the win to finish above .500. With the lack of power with HHS, Pasco High should take this one in a landslide.

HCA- 48 St. John's Luteran- 13 HCA should finish their season 6-2 after this game. St. John's has one win over a team HCA beat 39-8. They also average over 40 points against. St. John's can score some points, but lacks any real defensive presence. HCA should pound St. John's.