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Letters to the EditorsThere's still ignorance about fluoride© St. Petersburg Times published February 6, 2002 Re: County should not fluoridate water, and You can always use fluoride toothpaste, letters, Jan. 30. I cannot believe that after all these years of success, there is still ignorance and misconception about adding fluoride to our drinking water. The two letters recently printed from readers who are against water fluoridation were filled with incorrect stories. Ingestion of fluoride is extremely beneficial for children's teeth. As teeth are forming within bone, fluoride is absorbed to build strength. This is much more beneficial to protecting teeth than any topical fluoride. I am amazed that the Times would even print the statement about "those who gain from putting it (fluoride) in your water instead of paying to have it trucked to a hazardous waste dump from their commercial plants . . ." This ridiculous tale does not even deserve a rebuttal. Time after time, all reputable studies show that proper levels of fluoride in the water create tremendous benefit in reducing tooth decay. It also saves tremendous amounts of money by reducing decay, reducing expensive trips to the dentist and promoting good oral health.
YMCA of the Suncoast has safeguardsThe YMCA is fortunate to have tremendous worldwide name recognition, in addition to the invaluable trust of many thousands of parents who depend on the YMCA to care for their children. Recently, serious allegations of sexual abuse have surfaced involving a child-care worker formerly employed by the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. Since developments are occurring almost daily in this unfortunate situation, it is important that the community understands that each YMCA association, though sharing the YMCA name, is a separate and distinct entity with separate policies, management and boards of directors. The accused individual was never at any time employed or otherwise affiliated with the YMCA of the Suncoast, whose eight branches serve middle and upper Pinellas County, as well as Pasco and Hernando counties. The YMCA of the Suncoast is concerned for the safety and welfare of all its members, program participants, board members, volunteers and staff. The association promotes ethical hiring practices and makes every attempt to apply them fairly and consistently. The YMCA of the Suncoast has a written policy requiring that Florida Department of Law Enforcement background checks and drug tests be performed on all newly hired employees. In addition to local criminal checks, each employee of a licensed child-care program must undergo an FBI background check, in compliance with Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas County Licensing Board guidelines. Child-care employees and volunteers must sign an affidavit of good moral character before a notary public. Along with these safeguards, the YMCA of the Suncoast also complies with child-care standards dictated by the state of Florida. Finally, should a candidate be hired, they must also attend a child abuse prevention training class. The YMCA is the nation's largest provider of child-care services, based on the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The YMCA of the Suncoast is dedicated to upholding those values and providing high-quality, affordable child care to the communities it serves.
Thanks for your Southern hospitalityMy wife and I were vacationing in Sarasota in early January. Being avid bike riders, we traveled the Pinellas Trail from St. Petersburg through Clearwater to Tarpon Springs. We want to compliment you on such a fine recreational trail that benefits so many. We are tandem bike riders (riding a bike for two) and traveled the full 68-mile round trip. But our trouble began when we returned to the parking lot. First, our van headlights had been left on after an early start across the Skyway, leaving our battery dead. One kind Verizon employee jumped the battery but refused payment for his services. Good thing he did. When I went for my wallet, I discovered it was gone. I had lost it somewhere on the trail. Because it was late, we gave up and decided to return the following morning. Yes, it was another hour trip from Sarasota and we realized prospects were slim for finding it, but didn't want to give up so easily. This is the unbelievable part: We had just parked near 34th Street at the beginning of the trail in St. Petersburg and as we were about to mount our bike, a middle-aged gentleman on inline skates approached us. He was likely finishing his morning exercise routine. He asked, "You folks wouldn't happen to be from Pennsylvania, would you?" He handed us my missing driver's license. It's hard to describe our excitement and disbelief! My wife spontaneously gave him a hug, saying, "Oh, you are an answer to prayer." He was on the way to the police to report this missing driver's license. After thanking him several times, he directed us up the trail to where other contents were strewn along the path. We quickly retrieved all credit cards, receipts, etc. -- items we typically put in our wallets. After looking around I also found my empty wallet thrown into the ditch. I retrieved everything except a small amount of cash. What euphoria! We were so excited and relieved, we decided to bike the 68-mile round trip once again. Our only regret is that we didn't ask the kind man's name who jumped our dead battery nor the gentleman who retrieved my driver's license. They restored our belief in your wonderful Southern hospitality. I hope you print this so that these two kind gentlemen can read this.
Close polling sites, save moneyFlorida Secretary of State Katherine Harris is in the news again, wanting to revamp all polling places to install ramps accessible for wheelchairs, Braille voting and voting for the hearing impaired. I definitely agree that the disabled should not be denied their constitutional rights, but where does it end? Somewhere along the way we have to agree all these changes in the voting system, including the touch screens, are costing mucho bucks to us taxpayers. I vote that ballots be sent through the mail and returned by mail or have a designated drop box, and eliminate all of these extra expenses and salaries and close down these polling sites. I understand it is sensitive material but certainly not more private and sensitive than my tax return, which I entrust to the U.S. Postal Service each year.
What were his parents thinking?Re: Abduction changes school's policies, Feb. 3. What is a 16-year-old boy doing driving a $26,000 vehicle with $9,000 worth of wheels on it to high school? What are his parents thinking? Most working people cannot even afford to drive that car.
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