As many of us are trying to keep up with the “goings on” in our county, this storm-related disaster is different from any that has been dealt with in over 50 years! The hardest thing that the county has to tackle is the standing waters, mainly located in the eastern portions.
There was some talk of possibly trying to extend the Masaryk stormwater canal, (but I fear that by the time the county got through with all the legal hurdles and permitting, the water will have been naturally evaporated! While doing research and speaking with some of the citizens at the County Commissioner’s meeting, a woman named Aja Moore supplied me with a picture of her friend’s property that is presently partially submerged. This picture comes from the area of Ayers Rd. and Arlanie.
As the subject was (and still is) being discussed, a call was put out for volunteers to help those who have been hit so hard by both hurricanes Helene and Milton. It was also discussed that the time period for rebuilding our county will not be a short period. In my personal OPINION (from what I have witnessed), our elected officials are going to be faced with some big decisions, both short-term and long term as well.
So, where I am positioned as a contributor to this paper and this county, I will put out a plea for those who have the ability to help in whatever field of expertise you may have to help our fellow Hernando County people (either in person or through correspondence).
We have a really good bunch of folks situated in many sections of this county who are already doing a lot of good (in their respective fields). The thing is that many of them are getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cases of families that have lost EVERYTHING! They really could use some extra help.
I feel that what has happened to us as a county is important and, therefore, will take more of a priority in my written offerings. As I have stated in past letters, my health and stamina are slowing my physical abilities to volunteer in the manner that I desire. So this is where I will be for the next foreseeable couple of weeks! I just ask one more thing. If you cannot help by doing a physical type of volunteering and are not comfortable with doing anything (by way of local correspondence), maybe a few extra minutes in your prayer area could be done instead.
May God bless all of you out there, especially those most affected by these storms!
Steve Goodwin is a recently retired Christian conservative veteran (of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division), who still feels that “duty to country” did not end when the military uniform got hung up. He and his wife Cecelia live on the edge of a beautifully wooded tract of land just south of the bypass, and are involved in not only church activities, but also attend school board meetings and local community action events as well.
