Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 15, 2002
Editor,
Rob Minichino may have a point about the landscaping issue. But insinuating that the Friends of the Upper Tampa Bay Library campaigned to get a library strictly in Westchase is flat out wrong.
Don't just take my word for it. Talk to Maureen Gauzza, president of Friends of the Upper Tampa Bay Library, to find the group's stated objective to get a library for the Upper Tampa Bay Area, not just Westchase; or Joe Stines director of Hillsborough County Library Services, to learn more about the selection process for a site and the constraints that were imposed.
Talk to any Hillsborough County commissioner to learn why they voted unanimously to put the library on the northern Edge of Westchase over a site adjacent to an industrial park on Race Track Road. After the vote, Commissioner Jan Platt complimented the Friends of the Upper Tampa Bay Library on their drive to fight for a library. I do not believe a seasoned politician with a track record like Platt's would take the time to compliment a group who strictly wanted a library in their neighborhood.
As a member of the Friends of the Upper Tampa Bay Library, I am very proud of our group's accomplishment of finding the best site for all people in the Upper Tampa Bay area. If it were a Westchase-only effort, I would not have been part of it. If the best site that provided access for children, senior citizens and pedestrians were determined to be in Countryway or any other Upper Tampa Bay community, I personally would have fought just as hard for that site.
-- Michael Edgerley, Westchase
Editor,
Although this may be overkill, the Westchase community needs to be reminded that they are still considered to be elitist, regardless of what a few of their residents have written.
Their homeowners and community association are representative of the entire community. In line with what Rob Minichino wrote, "the actions of the few have made the whole place look bad."
I have no problem with the association's fighting to keep the entire community intact at one school. But how in their right minds could anyone complain about a police car being parked in the neighborhood and then have the board approve a letter to the officers?
I moved into Westchester in October from Michigan and think it is a great idea for officers to take their vehicles home. It does help deter crime and I would love to have an officer live in my neighborhood.
How quickly Westchase has forgotten the true heroes of our community, those that never know if they will come home in the evening because of their public service to protect residents. The elitist perception of Westchase will continue until the few that taint the community start using common sense in what they consider important issues.
-- Mike Gross, Westchester