Letters to the Editors

'Gold-plating' police budget not an issue

Re: 19 priorities give shape to city's future, story, May 7.

I would like to reply to Clearwater Commissioner Whitney Gray's comment about stopping "gold-plating" the Clearwater Police Department's budget at the expense of the Fire Department.

All the men and women in both departments deserve equal treatment from the city commissioners and management. Ms. Gray ought not criticize one department against the other. Ms. Gray ought not to partake in VIP seats, VIP food and VIP drinks at city special events. Is not Ms. Gray "gold-plating" herself in lieu of all the other city workers at the same event?

Ms. Gray did not come away with any viable suggestions from this forum. She should spend a week with the men and women of either department before she comes away saying one department is "gold plated."

Ms. Gray is attempting to pit one department against another in a sad display of immaturity on her part.

Clearwater was named one of America's Safest Cities a few years ago. But with the current city management and commissioners, budgets are being cut and so are positions. The city's once-proud accomplishment will go away with these kind of budget constraints on these fine departments.
-- Lindsey Green, Clearwater

To Commissioner Seel: Thanks for hearing us

Last night the residents in my little area of Pinellas County had the great fortune to meet one of the best people we have working for us in Pinellas County.

County Commissioner Karen Seel came to my home to meet with the residents to discuss Larry Dimmitt's proposed changes to one of the last pristine areas of the county. Commissioner Seel was not only gracious and attentive, she seemed genuinely concerned with our issues.

You see, Larry Dimmitt plans to annex 23 acres next to Lake Chautauqua (Boy Scout Lake) into the city of Clearwater and then rezone it so that he can build more than 150 condominiums. This property is close to an intersection that leads onto U.S. 19 and has had more than 280 collisions in the last three years.

Commissioner Seel met with us for about two hours and then walked with us to see the property that Larry Dimmitt plans to destroy. The impact on wildlife will be devastating and the traffic that will flow onto U.S. 19 from some 200 more cars is something that should be stopped.

We just wanted to let the commissioner know how very grateful we are that she took the time out of her busy schedule to listen and learn of our dilemma.
-- Don Sutton, Clearwater

Where do removed peacocks go? What about their eggs?

Re: Piqued by peacocks, story, May 2, and Living in natural world requires people to adapt, letter, May 5.

This is the first time that I have ever been moved to write a newspaper.

Having read the same article as letter writer Fran Glaros concerning the peacocks, I am still wondering where these birds have been taken. Since they have been roaming Greenbriar for so many years (mostly being fed by residents, including resident Roger Rohm), it would seem they would be unable to forage enough for themselves. Are these birds being cared for or are they slowly starving to death in the wild?

The next issue is that this has all occurred during mating/nesting season. Abandoned nests with eggs have no hope of hatching without the kindness of caring people, or worse for those eggs that have hatched and the birds are now orphans.

Thinning out the present "herd" humanely is one thing; thinning out future herds is another.

As far as those responsible for the removal of these fine birds, in my opinion, two Rohms don't make a right.
-- Patricia Clohessy, Oldsmar

Guide needed to show us right path in education

The public school system has its critics. Criticism always leads to an intellectual fork in the road. We must choose which path to follow. One goes toward ill-informed, negative and destructive conclusions; the other leads to informed and positive solutions.

Most of us need a guide to lead us along those paths. Somehow I mistrust the politicians, most of whom have never spent a day in the classroom or the legal system, who seem intent on litigating the issues (for a fee) -- first, to further his or her political ambitions toward a higher office and, second, to increase his or her bank account. Both attempt to demonize the school system with the label "government schools" and the teachers with the label of "union members."

A guide with an open mind, consulting with educators and visiting the classrooms to develop the real issues, is my only hope of real enlightenment. The answers will come from there, rather than Washington, Tallahassee or the courtrooms of the legal system. Only then can we address the defects and design solutions that will work.
-- Robert Tharin, Dunedin

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