Published Feb. 6, 2003 | Updated Aug. 31, 2005

Editor: After reading for the umpteenth time how low water pressure causes toilets not to flush, I have to comment on that fallacy.

If you have a commercial-pressure commode, like those installed in hospitals, large stores, etc., they do not have a tank and are operated on existing water pressure with a booster pump to increase the pressure. I doubt if these units have ever been installed in a residential house.

Your common residential commode has a tank that usually holds 2{ to 4 gallons of water. When you push the lever on the tank, this water is what makes the commode flush; water pressure has nothing to do with the ability of the unit to flush. If you don't believe that, turn the valve off on the water line line coming into the commode and flush it and you will see that it will work just as well without any water pressure.

Yes, it will take longer for the tank to fill with low pressure, maybe two or three minutes instead of 30 seconds. I would suggest you seek medical help if you must flush that often.

How this has anything to do with running sprinklers once or twice a week is beyond me. Maybe if they have to flush that much and the county commissioners believe them, they are all full of you know what.

Philip Strmensky

Spring Hill

Don't accept low pay

from corporate giants

Editor: When will the people who were born in the South or relocated to the South realize they need representation as far as working conditions go?

The big companies, Wal-Mart, Target, Kash n' Karry, etc., will keep on paying low wages and offering benefits you can't afford because you won't do anything about it.

I know, you have to pay rent and feed your children. Well, so does everyone else. I was a Teamster and had to walk the picket line, but in the end it paid off.

Wal-Mart is as big as General Motors because its success comes off your back. How long do you think a store will stay open if there are no workers or customers?

I'm not saying you should get $20 an hour, but you should get a fair day's pay.

Jim Conides

Spring Hill

Glidewell's column

will be missed

Editor: I recently moved to Florida and subscribed to the Times. I have really enjoyed Jan Glidewell's column. His sense of humor is wonderful and he has educated me about the politics and lifestyles of my new surroundings.

I am sorry to hear he is retiring, as I will miss his column.

Donna Grisanti

Trinity

This isn't the right time

for construction project

Editor: Re: Downtown boon busts profits, Jan. 31 Times:

Who was the brilliant mastermind that made the decision to start a major construction project right in the midst of tourist season?

This lack of planning in our current economic state will most likely be devastating to the small-business owners. I'm sure it won't affect a corporate giant such as SunTrust Bank, which does not appear to be upset by this issue.

Also, why was the contract awarded to an out-of-county company?

M. Hildreth

Spring Hill

President clueless

on consequences of war

Editor: Peace protest vexes, pleases, Feb. 3 Times:

On Feb. 1, I participated in the anti-war protest at the intersection of U.S. 19 and State Road 50. For the uninformed, that in no way makes me less patriotic than those who support President Bush. They're entitled to their opinion, as I am to mine.

Those making the decision to attack Iraq are the least qualified to do so. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: Not one of them has ever heard a shot fired in anger. Their strident rhetoric to the contrary, they don't have a clue as to the real consequences of war. If they did, they wouldn't be so eager to begin one.

It's beyond me how they can ignore the countless real problems the nation already has.

More important, how can they ignore what really happens when the shooting starts?

Bill Donofrio

Spring Hill