Letters to the Editors

Williams Park indeed needs attention

Re: Williams Park downtown is not a pretty sight, letter, Feb. 3.

The letter writer says, "St. Petersburg should do something about Williams Park.... There are bums sleeping everywhere... Wake up, Mayor Baker, and do something."

I agree, having gone down to Williams Park to feed homeless men, women and children. Most bums are not bums by choice -- especially children, the mentally ill and those thrown out of work who live in poverty. Sept. 11, 2001, affected us all.

Wake up, Mayor Baker. Help us all improve the quality of life for those in Williams Park and St. Petersburg.
-- Pat Beckum, St. Petersburg

Promote vouchers, not school "lottery'

Re: Letters deliver students' fate, Feb. 3.

I was sorry to read about the students who were not able to get into the magnet and fundamental school programs that they wanted. But I was not impressed with the "lottery" selection method and the rationalizations given by school bureaucrats about why the school system did not meet the needs of their constituents.

Rather than worrying about waiting lists, parents of rejected students should promote school vouchers. If Florida had a working voucher program, parents whose children did not get into public school magnet or fundamental programs could use vouchers to enroll their children in comparable private school programs. Then the public schools would have a choice of providing educational programs that parents wanted or losing funding. Perhaps that would give them an incentive to increase enrollment in magnet and fundamental school programs.
-- Alan Proctor, St. Petersburg

Tranquility erodes with beach sand

We moved to Treasure Island because of the beautiful beach and climate, not realizing there would be months that we would not be able to enjoy one of the very reasons we moved here.

It seems we are subjected to large pipes, heavy machinery, horrible fumes and murky water on a too-frequent schedule due to lack of foresight on how we can keep some of the sand we have paid dearly for.

I have lived in coastal towns all my life and have watched those cities trying various methods of beach preservation. Some worked, some didn't, but most of those cities figured out that it wasn't about pumping sand, just to watch it wash away in inclement weather.

I'd like to see the city seek alternatives on how we can keep some of that expensive sand and spread out the time between renourishment efforts. It seems the biggest problem is the short-sighted commission and not the erosion.
-- Patricia Bildz, Treasure Island

Pinellas Park police got bike back

I wish to thank the Pinellas Park police for their efficient, quick action in getting my stolen bike to me on Feb. 2.

It was stolen at Wal-Mart on Saturday afternoon and within half an hour it was recovered at ParkSide Mall. Too often we hear about what the police don't do. Well, I'm congratulating them on the good they did do! Thank you for your efficient service and also to Wal-Mart staffers for their cooperation.
-- Norman Oates, Pinellas Park

Food pantry extends thanks

We at the St. Giles Emergency Food Pantry would like to publicly thank the St. Petersburg Times for the many listings of hours and needs for our pantry last fall. After the Sept. 11 tragedy, people's needs to access food pantries increased greatly. Although we had many more clients after that date, we also had many more donations, and we feel that was in part to your making the public aware.

Our pantry is one of the few in Pinellas County that is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Because of our growth, it now takes five to six people per day to run the office. We have 30 volunteers but always need extra help. It is a rewarding experience.
-- Vera Johnston, volunteer office manager St. Giles Emergency Food Pantry, Pinellas Park

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright