Nothing to do with it
To the editor:
I would like to respond to the letter in the paper Aug. 5, 2010 from George Schiro. Nancy Gemskie had nothing to do with the name of the nonprofit and she made it clear she would not be part of it until after the election. I had a list of people to be on the board of directors and my staff did the list. I take responsibility for that error — they work for me.
It is a shame while trying to help our children and families, we let it become political. It takes a very weak and insecure person to try to turn good into evil.  What are we so afraid of that we need to trash others? Opinions are one thing and I respect them; however, to make these types of statements over something that no one has come and asked me about is wrong. Be a man, call me, e-mail me and ask. Are we afraid we might hear the truth? I know it takes a little extra effort to twist the truth into a lie, so it is easier to just don’t ask and speak poorly of others. I guess if you don’t ask and don’t know the truth, you are justified in what you say because in your mind you have made it fact.
Right is right and wrong is wrong. Breaking Florida Stature is wrong, helping children is right. I have made many mistakes in my life — I make them once and pay for them. I admit it and don’t try to get out of it. I don’t access blame elsewhere. Yes, it hurts my ego to say I am wrong or that I made a mistake but that is what mature, responsible adults do.  
Second, the corporation is dissolved. I have been working with the Oasis Department of the School District as well as the Foundation for Education. We all have one goal, the children in Osceola County. We want to make sure that no child falls through the cracks. Collectively, we have started a “Kids Closet.” It is a current space with the teachers store. To date we have had winter jackets, lunchboxes, socks, books, shirts, fleece jackets and lots of clothes donated by many businesses in our county, including Kohl’s, a wonderful business partner of the district.
The goal of this Kids Closet is the same goal as before — to work with our schools and social service department and anyone who knows of a need.  Contact me, the school or the Oasis Department or the Foundation and tell us of the need. We will do our best to ensure that our children are taken care of with glasses, shoes, clothes, supplies and so on.
So please, see the truth in both letters and contact me at 407-832-3999 cell or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Contributions are accepted year-round. Checks can be made out to the Foundation for Education–Kids Closet. Thank you for your continued support of our children, education and the truth.
Cindy Lou Hartig
Kissimmee

No more
To the editor:
Hats off to the Osceola News-Gazette for its “Our View” article in the Aug. 5 edition.
Consumers, small business and large corporations cannot continue to face tax increases in a stagnant or negative economy. Government’s an-swer is always to increase tax rates on property owners, and now our county commissioners want to add an additional 1 percent sales tax on top of the additional sales tax passed in the 1990s.
When the county commissioners sold us in the ’90s the additional 1 percent tax to bring our tax rate in Osceola to 7 percent, they did so with the promise that tax would end in 15 years. When governments receive money, they never give it up.
My opinion to our county commissioners, county ad-ministrative department heads and the fire chief is to take fiscal responsibility and find the cuts in the budget just like consumers, small business and large corporations must make to survive.
It’s time to examine the significant spike in government salaries the past decade, time to take away providing county-owned cars to high-paid county employees and examine why the fire department has so many brand new vehicles.
It’s time to make cuts instead of raising taxes. Working 23 years in banking, I know all budgets have room to be cut — not a fun thing to do, but there are always areas that can be cut.
To hear the fire department budget has no room for cuts is appalling. Our forefathers wouldn’t believe what has happened to this country. They believed in small government and personal responsibility, not constant government interference.
Bottom line: cut taxes, no new taxes, time for government fiscal responsibility.
My view.
Larry Kennedy
Kissimmee