I have been reading with interest the letters about and from the Clearwater firefighters. They want better raises. I can't think of any employee anywhere who doesn't think they should be making more money than they do.
I've been a licensed nurse almost 27 years. I think we should get more than the 2 or 3 percent that we do. We are a part of the medical profession that deserves to be called heroic too. We might not be on the frontlines putting out fires, but not every firefighter does that on his watch. The risk is there every time a firefighter is on duty, though, and I realize that.
There is a lot more to being a nurse than the public realizes. I'm sure everyone has heard about a nursing shortage across the country. Nurses are being recruited from other countries. Doctors from other countries are being hired in the United States as nurses.
Bedside nursing is hard work both physically and mentally. Patients are monitored constantly, and we must be able to pick up any deviation. Many times, we work through our lunch breaks. I work 12-hour shifts and spend about 98 percent of that time on my feet. We are required by state law to keep current by taking 27 hours of classes every two years to be able to get relicensed. When I work, I give 100 percent of myself.
My daughter is a hostess in a restaurant and wants a raise. The guy who flips pizza wants a raise. The floral designer wants a raise. The police detective wants a raise. Everyone thinks their job is important, and do you know what? It is to them.
-- Carol Ryan, Tarpon Springs
Mayor, city officials should end petty war with firefighters
Re: Firefighters' problems.
Enough is enough. We, as residents, are tired of the pettiness, pride and egos that are at work to prevent a satisfactory agreement. We are very reliant on these professionals to do their jobs, and it seems like it's politics as usual. Is it possible there are hidden agendas and this is being taken out on the rank and file?
Stop the pettiness and let's bite the bullet, Mr. Mayor, city manager and council members. If we can throw away $10-million to $20-million on that circle disaster on the beach (which, by the way, is still a problem for traffic) then why can't we give these men and women a decent pay increase to fall in line with the police officers, the city manager's increase and other City Hall employees? By not solving this, the city of Clearwater looks foolish, and if the shoe fits, so be it.
I wonder how many good young people are going to other fire departments because who would want to start a career in Clearwater with the negativity that exists here?
City officials and firefighters, it is time to put this to a new beginning and stop the nonsense. Let's act like a well-run city instead of talking about it.
-- Paul E. Harris, Clearwater
Basic laws must be applied to, followed by child molesters
Re: Child molester has yet to report move, story, Nov. 16.
I can't even imagine one reason why a court would convict a man of molesting an 8-year-old girl and possibly her brother, then give him a suspended sentence. What kind of a crime gets a jail sentence in Kentucky, anyway?
If there is a basic law requiring Gus Theodosis to check in with local law enforcement when he enters another area, why give him any extra days before he's rearrested? In the meantime, he knows he's breaking the law and could have time to molest other children before he's found. What kind of reasoning is this?
The Kentucky Racing Commission's decision to reinstate his license, when his conviction disallowed that privilege, is just giving him a pat on the back instead of a good swift kick in the pants.
Why do we pamper child molesters? Why would anyone even want to keep company with such a person? Also, why would any parent allow children to sleep over with adults, when no other children live in the home?
Jockey Pat Day and his continued faith in Theodosis is what gives them the courage to continue to be a child molester. It's one thing if you don't know what the person did. But once you know, why continue the relationship?
-- Fran Glaros, Clearwater
Dissenters should not expect voices to be heard
Re: Critic of airport plans ousted, story, Nov. 13.
Perhaps County Commissioner Ken Welch's concern about "negative impact" is due to the fact that there is nothing positive about the County Commissions' grandiose plans for the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport expansion.
I'd be willing to bet that if Ava Van Nahmen had jumped on Welch's bandwagon for banning fireworks, she would still be on the park board. So much for having a say in local government.
I guess none of we other outspoken people in Feather Sound should expect to be appointed to any other citizens advisory positions, such as the opening on the county's Airport Noise Abatement Task Force.
-- Brian Diehl, Clearwater
U.S. 19 redesign makes highway more dangerous for drivers
Am I the only daily commuter on U.S. 19 to express outrage at the moronic redesign of northern U.S. 19, incorporating left-turn deceleration lanes and eliminating the right-turn deceleration lanes?
First, the left-turn deceleration lanes no longer allow straight-across passage of U.S. 19 through the median. Now, cars try to navigate while accelerating through all three (sometimes four) lanes of traffic to get to the fast lane, then slam on the brakes getting into the left-turn deceleration lane. Every single instance of this maneuver in traffic succeeds in impeding all lanes of traffic crossed.
If by chance the poor fool trying to cross all these lanes arrives to the median alive, he now must make a U-turn in front of oncoming traffic that typically is moving at 65 to 70 mph. They usually take a life-or-death chance or just wait and back up traffic for blocks, including the deceleration lane.
The antics of drivers trying to make a left turn is now the responsibility of the idiot designers. This redesign has made a dangerous situation much, much worse. Trying to use the right lane as a traffic lane without a deceleration area is also a mistake. Darn near all the older out-of-state drivers almost come to a dead stop trying to make a right turn with traffic bearing down on them at 50-plus mph. I've seen many more rear-enders since this redesign.
At some point, we, the public, must accept the cost and start remaking U.S. 19 into the traffic-moving tool it should be. If it takes eight lanes each way with limited access, so be it. Business owners should help by selling the right of way land whenever needed for a fair price and not hold up the public need. This should start immediately. The new-and-improved U.S. 19 is a dangerous embarrassment.
-- Mark Sarris, Palm Harbor
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