Letters to the Editors

Injunctions save lives in domestic violence cases

Re: Shattered unions, rapid solutions, Dec. 30.

Injunctions for protection provide desperately needed emergency protection for victims fleeing domestic violence. The vast majority of domestic homicides occur after the victim has left or is in the process of leaving the abuser. By ordering criminally enforceable "no contact" provisions, injunctions are critical to saving victims' lives. While most victims are female, CASA staff and volunteers help all victims, female or male, gay or straight.

Although many victims call the police, the injunction can provide protection for those whose fear of retaliation from the abuser may prevent them from calling the police. This does not mean injunctions are granted lightly. Judges have an awesome responsibility in deciding cases. As in any courtroom, they must decide not only whether the relief requested is justified under the law, but also who is telling the truth.

Domestic violence typically occurs behind closed doors, and when abuse such as shoving, choking, threats to kill and stalking leaves behind no visible injuries, the court's decision comes down to credibility of the parties. Learning to perceive verbal and nonverbal cues of domestic violence allows judges to make meaningful decisions in a relatively short time to save the lives of victims.

As the article indicates, CASA is concerned that injunctions will now be heard by rotating family law judges, but it is certainly not because judges will not stay up on the law as Margaret Pearce was incorrectly quoted as saying. Of course judges take the time to make sure they are familiar with the law. Rather, CASA is concerned because it is critical to have the consistency of one judge, as we do in criminal domestic violence court.

Indeed, we applaud the court for continuing to set aside the resources to create such a unified domestic violence court. Not only does each judge handle his or her courtroom differently, it takes time covering injunction hearings to develop skill at balancing efficiency of the court's resources with ensuring that both parties feel heard. Moreover, it takes experience to develop the understanding of dynamics of domestic abuse necessary to see through the typical manipulative, controlling and terrorizing behaviors of abusers. We have been fortunate to have the experience and expertise of Judge Irene Sullivan for so long.
-- Linda A. Osmundson, executive director; Margaret Pearce, advocate, CASA (Center Against Spouse Abuse), St. Petersburg

Bed and breakfast is now a bad neighbor

Re: A cool reception, Jan. 14.

In my 22 years of living in the Old Southeast area in St. Petersburg, the Bayboro House has always been the "crown jewel" of the neighborhood. Sadly, this is no longer true. After the sale of the historic bed and breakfast in 1999, the new owners have converted this once quiet local landmark into a loud and unruly business establishment.

The weddings that take place weekly at the Bayboro House rival those at my beloved alma mater -- the only difference being that the police actually break up the parties in Gainesville. On any given night, windows in the Old Southeast rattle from the sounds of the theme song from Titanic. For me, this is cruel and unusual punishment, and something that I don't consider to be very neighborly.

It may be true that some neighborhood bed and breakfasts turn old crack houses into beautiful restorations. The previous owners of the Bayboro House already did this (although the Bayboro House was never a crack house). However, when the new owners spent $800,000 on the Bayboro House, they were not buying an old crack house. They were buying a finished project. The new owners have no intention of making the Old Southeast a better place to live. They intend to make money off of illegal weddings and parties-for-hire, while raping our proud neighborhood of its peace and quiet. Somehow, this landmark has become "The Bad Neighbor House Bed & Breakfast."
-- Evan Kostreva, St. Petersburg

Bayboro House is a benefit

I have resided in St. Petersburg for 23 years and 22 of those years have been in the Old Southeast. My wife and I have thought of leaving a couple of times but each time we have decided to stay. Why? Quite simply, because we love the neighborhood. This is an area where neighbors are also friends.

Over the years, we have been involved in Crime Watch, the neighborhood association and in the redevelopment/revitalization program recently completed. We have always kept an eye on the neighborhood and fought when there were developing problems. When absentee landlords weren't maintaining their property, when cars were parking on the newly restored sidewalks or when other issues were downgrading the neighborhood.

Recently, the Bayboro House, a bed and breakfast in the Old Southeast, changed ownership and became much more active. The new owners have, over the past year, hosted weddings and other functions. All of this is viewed by the majority of Old Southeast residents as a benefit to our neighborhood because it exposes the myth of the "south side" and enlightens people that there are lovely areas in south St. Petersburg and that the whole area is not the home of drugs and violence.

I have learned recently that there is one neighbor of the Bayboro House who is complaining. While I am sure she feels justified in her complaint, I am asking that we not allow one person to put the Bayboro House out of business. Everyone I have spoken to supports this business and will become involved in its success.
-- Stephen C. Schroeder, St. Petersburg

Keep things as they are

Re: A cool reception, Jan 14.

Bayboro House bed and breakfast is in the neighborhood I have lived in all my 74 years, and I was sorry to see such things said about it. During my daily walk one day, I saw the white tent up and tables covered with white linens and people laying the tables, I presumed for a wedding. It is lovely, wonderful, exciting, and I love it!

I hope that possibly I will be invited to a party there! Don't let one person influence the way things are down in the Old Southeast section of city. There are many of us here who just love it and wouldn't have it any other way. Please listen to us as well and let us keep our wonderful Bayboro House as it is right now.
-- Ellen K. Hyland, St. Petersburg

PETA beer ad was tongue in cheek

Re: How did they blunder in 2001? Let us count the ways, Dec. 30.

If reporter Robert Trigaux had done his homework, he would have known that PETA never seriously suggested that college students replace their milk mustaches with beer foam. We launched our tongue-in-cheek "Got Beer?" campaign to make the point that cow's milk is so awful, even a glass of beer -- certainly no health food -- is a better choice.

Cow's milk is loaded with fat and cholesterol and has been linked to prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity -- even osteoporosis, the very disease milk is supposed to help prevent. Harvard University's landmark Nurses Health Study, which followed 78,000 women over a 12-year period, found that women who consumed the most calcium from dairy foods actually broke more bones than those who rarely drank milk.

PETA urges everyone, beer-drinkers included, to drink responsibly. Where milk is concerned, there's no such thing. For more information, please visit PETA's Web site DumpDairy.com.
-- Paula Moore, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Norfolk, VA.

The company they keep

Re: Rights groups help only themselves, letter, Jan. 9.

The letter writer condemned animal advocates for their "constant tormenting of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus." He said that animal rights groups dupe the public by using donations for "increasing public awareness."

Yes, and let me increase public awareness a little bit right now. The letter writer, Eugene Lapointe, is president of the International Wildlife Management Consortium, now deceptively labeled, "World Conservation Trust." I went to their Web site. Pages 6-7 promote elephant hunting. It says, "International hunting of elephants will continue to be a realistic option for sustainable utilization."

The site also lists links to associated groups. Here is a partial list: Friends of Fur, National Trappers Association (fur trappers), Fur Commission USA, Ontario Fur Managers Federation, High North Alliance Whalers (whale killers), World Council of Whalers, Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia (killers of millions of kangaroos a year).

The saying goes, "You are judged by the company you keep." Let Ringling Bros. Circus be judged by these friends.

Lapointe calls his consortium a "conservation body," but the clear mission of all these groups is to kill animals for fun and profit. But you needn't believe me -- I'm one of those animal activists. See his Web site for yourself: http://iwmc.org
-- Gael R. Murphy, educational coordinator, Florida Voices for Animals, Inc., Tampa

PETA improves the lot of animals

Re: Rights groups help only themselves.

The letter writer claims that groups like PETA "spend none of the money they receive on physically improving the welfare of any animal." This could not be further from the truth. In 2000 alone, PETA investigated more than 17,000 animal cruelty cases. It was the first organization to expose the cruelty of animal laboratory conditions almost 20 years ago, resulting in convictions of the perpetrators. In the past few years, it has been instrumental in forcing dozens of companies such as Gillette and Proctor & Gamble to put a moratorium on nongovernment-mandated animal testing. It has successfully lobbied McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King to provide more humane conditions for poultry. This is in addition to the tremendous strides it has made in promoting vegetarianism and exposing the cruelties involved in the fur industry. Can the letter writer say that none of this has helped animals?

It is true that PETA does not maintain large shelters to house animals. Fortunately, there are several other "animal rights" groups such as the ASPCA and Humane Society of the United States, along with several local organizations that provide the best available housing. PETA is foremost an activist organization, but it works closely with several of these groups to help promote animal welfare. While many consider some of PETA's tactics to be extreme at times, there can be little argument about its successes.

As required for a registered legitimate charity, PETA makes its annual financial information available upon request, or it can be viewed on their Web site at www.peta.org. The letter writer should check this information before making comments about how PETA "wastes" donors' money.
-- Wayne Ellis, St. Petersburg

Limit those parking permits

Re: Justices narrow terms of disabilities act, Jan. 9.

The ruling on the Americans With Disabilities Act by the Supreme Court should also extend to the issuance of handicapped parking permits to people who are not wheelchair-bound.

Ever notice the design of the icon on the spaces reserved for such people?
-- Lance K. Piscitelli, Clearwater

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