Gema G. Hernández,
212 Primo Drive
Ft Myers Beach, Florida 33931

Mr. Terry F White, Secretary
Department of Elder Affairs
4040 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32309

Dear Terry:

I am surprised to see the efforts of the staff in the Secretary’s Office to convince editors of several Florida newspapers to stop the publication of my articles. It is really amazing that your staff has taken time from dealing with the needs of elders, especially after 4 Hurricanes have hit Florida, to contact editors of several newspapers to object to the publication of my articles.

As you know to make their case more compelling to stop the publication of my articles they mentioned the fact that I was fired by Governor Bush and therefore not worthy of attention. For me the fact that I have been the only Secretary he has fired represents a badge of honor that I wear with great pride. You and I know of the secretive lucrative dealings and contracts that motivated the Governor and Representative Carole Green to orchestrate my departure. The media, if they care to check also know how the Governor covered his action by first lying to the public, stating, I quote, “she is returning to her first love, teaching” and by securing a job for me at FSU. Why would he do that unless he was trying to cover something up?

In a free country and the last time I checked, we are still living in a free country, freedom of expression and freedom of the press to publish what they think people need to know are rights guaranteed under our Constitution, and while you and others may not like what I write I am entitled to my opinion just like you are entitled to yours. So far only the Tallahassee Democrat’s Active Living Section has stopped publishing my section.

Now that you are officially aware of what the staff in your private circle in the Secretary’s office is doing you can take full responsibility for their actions.

Cheers,

Gema