Letters to the Editors

Remodeling job works to erode taxpayer trust

Re: Hasty remodeling project costs taxpayers $1.1-million, April 20.

Any politicians who wonder why the taxpayers don't trust them need only read this article. This remodeling project typifies what the taxpayer finds abhorrent in a "public servant" -- abuse of power, a sense of entitlement, total disregard for several laws and fiscal irresponsibly.

One has to wonder how much attention to detail would have been paid to this project if the cost overruns came out of the pockets of individual members of Swiftmud's governing board instead of out the taxpayers' pocket?
-- Gary West, St. Petersburg

The governor should investigate

Re: Hasty remodeling project costs taxpayers $1.1-million.

As a taxpayer, I am amazed at the ineptitude, poor management and faulty decisionmaking that resulted in fixing a moldy office building at nearly twice the normal cost. The sick building symptoms did not develop spontaneously. The issue should have been addressed much earlier, utilizing sound business and scientific judgment to correct the problem.

I am not comfortable with the fact that in the interest of solving a serious workplace problem, standard bid procedures were circumvented, permits were not pulled prior to the remodeling, and no engineering plans were drawn up prior to the beginning of the project.

Board members of the Southwest Florida Water Management District were too compliant in approving this project. If they had to complete such a project on a personal or business basis, would they have taken a similar stance if it was their money? It appears that the only individuals who were able to perceive the expensive folly were Nick Spirakis, Ellen Cianciaruli and John Robinson. They should be commended for speaking up.

Gov. Jeb Bush should call for an investigation of this entire matter. Is it any wonder why taxpayers howl about inefficiency and waste in government?
-- James M. Previtera, St. Petersburg

Politics and the SAT

Re: The business of changing the SAT, by Matthew Belloni, April 13.

The emphasis of the article concerns the supposed merits and demerits of the SAT and how the University of California president Richard Atkinson is concerned that the present exam may not test what is being taught in the classroom of the typical California high school.

Generally, the article touched on some of the "hot" issues facing the SAT and its usage as an admission tool. As Belloni stated, there have been debates about this topic for years and it is certain that this issue will continue to be contested on many fronts.

What the article did not address, however, is the larger concern that president Atkinson faces in his state. For many years the California state system used affirmative action as a basis for admission to the state's various public institutions. California is far from unique is this. Recently, California has been given a state mandate that will not allow race to be used as a variable in the admitting of students. As a result, the successful recruitment of minority students had initially declined as the SAT played a larger role in the process and the scores for various minority groups were lower than the norm typically needed for admission.

With a declining minority population attending the state system, president Atkinson is faced with a political dilemma. He can either stay with the present system, which makes it more difficult to use race as an admission tool, or he can try to develop another system that will allow the colleges to admit students who don't do as well on standardized examinations such as the SAT. What else isn't mentioned is that the state has already devised a procedure for circumventing the SAT by allowing California students in the top percentages of their graduating class to be admitted to a state school with diminished emphasis being placed on the SAT.

No one can deny that the College Board has a stranglehold on the admission testing business. The SAT is a controversial entity in this country's academic life and most agree that a strong and vocal debate of the power wielded by the College Board needs to be heard. Be assured that if another test is required by California, the College Board will design it and financially benefit from it. The SAT II exams already serve that purpose for many schools.

What needs to be better defined is president Atkinson's reasons for wanting an alternative test to be used for admission. His reasons may not be as altruistic and student-oriented as they may appear. In his speech given at the University of California-Santa Barbara in December of 2001, president Atkinson stated that he was against the emphasis being placed on the SAT prior to the implementation of the California state law that diminished the role of race in admissions to California state schools. Interestingly, his claims were not as broadly heard or stated at that time. Inevitably, politics may be playing a role here as well.
-- Michael Kennedy, Belleair

Colleges should focus on quality

Re: Three colleges vie for 4-year status, April 17.

The recommendation that the proposal be rejected is easy for me to understand. Instead of worrying about our lagging behind other states in the number of bachelor's degrees, it would serve us better to worry about the quality of the degree and the academics. Many community colleges have long had standards that included an open-door policy on admissions. Ultimately low standards could affect the number of baccalaureates. It might also contribute to why so many students drop out of four-year schools.

Of course, if we are interested in creating higher numbers we can always give degrees with so many box tops.
-- P.L. Frank, Belleair

Too much redundant education

Re: College dropouts puzzle board, April 16.

I went to college to accomplish two goals. To learn more and to learn specific information to do better in life.

Instead, for me, it was two more years of glorified high school, taking subjects I had already passed. In real life, people have to work and do not have years to take classes that are redundant.

Most degrees can and should be accomplished in a two-year period of learning, not in four years of rehashing high school.

The fact that the Florida Board of Education is puzzled means it will take decades for there to be any real changes to happen.
-- Eric Anderson, Clearwater

Better craftsmen needed

Re: The satisfactions of craftsmanship, by John Balzar, April 13.

I read this column with interest. The first few lines caught my particular attention because of the Los Angeles Times dispatch from Germany regarding Wandergesellen (wandering craftsmen). These men and women were well-trained in their chosen profession.

My father learned his craft in Germany. At the age of 13, his father paid well to have him live away from home for almost four years and be taught his field from the bottom up. There was no slacking off or taking "the easy way." There were strict rules and discipline.

Nowadays, we read so often of poor workmanship and botched repairs. I believe it's because so many "workmen" who come into our homes have little or no training. I've had people who have done more harm than good. It's getting so I'm leery of calling companies and allowing people to enter my home.

Perhaps schools should go back to being "vocational schools" and give us back reliable repairmen.
-- Dorothy E. Karkheck, Palm Harbor

Jail time would change cruise lines

Re: Cruise line to pay fine for pollution, April 20.

Does anyone think Carnival Cruise Line ships would have dumped waste illegally if the officials of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines had gone to jail in 1999 for their orchestrated dumping and abject violation of what's legal and what's moral when it comes to environmental stewardship?

If scurrilous officials ran the risk of jail time, they would be far less scurrilous. Mere fines do nothing. Royal Caribbean got away with it before. Why not Carnival this time? Who's next? After all, it's just a cost of doing business.

No time in jail means more times this will happen.
-- George A. Makrauer, Treasure Island

Stop the Nazi comparisons

Re: A frightening direction, letter, April 11.

"I have watched in fear these recent months as Attorney General John Ashcroft and his minions are trampling our civil liberties into the ground . . . I am 9 years old again, living in Austria under Hitler's domination, and my mother is being arrested by the Gestapo."

Frankly, I find the letter writer's statement irrational and inappropriate.

While I believe the Holocaust was the most shameful period in the history of man, I was most offended and truly disappointed that the letter writer would use this horrific episode to suggest that we "recognize the similarities" between John Ashcroft and the sadistic barbarians who herded men, women and children into the freezing boxcars en route to the infamous whistle-stops known as Auschwitz, Buchenwald and Dachau.

While I was saddened by the traumatic scenario she shared with us, suggesting that Ashcroft is similar to the Nazis was irresponsible.

Let's stop all this Nazi nonsense. It's becoming a ridiculous cliche.
Tony D'Andrea, Largo

Tips for visiting Texas

Re: San Angelo, Texas, has something special, by Bill Maxwell, April 17.

One of my favorite columnists, going to one of my favorite states! Great! A few words of advice, however. Remember that "sheep" is a dirty word in Texas. You're a steak eater! Don't forget that! Mexican food is okay, too. If you like Mexican food here, you'll love it there. John Madden's favorite Mexican restaurant and cantina is in Van Horn, at a place called Chuy's. Van Horn, on I-10 is further west, but Chuy's is worth the effort.

Mr. Maxwell, get yourself a hat! And boots! And a bolo tie with a chunk of turquoise in it. Don't turn down bolero lessons; you're out there to have fun -- go all the way!

Finally, very best wishes to you for a fantastic four months at Angelo State University. In four months you'll be exposed to people you'll grow to love, and Texas weather, which you'll learn to hate. About the time the weather convinces you it's time to throw in the towel and come home, it will change dramatically -- sometimes for the better.

It honors us that you're going to Texas as distinguished visiting faculty. Have a ball -- and don't forget to write.
-- Virgil E. Feltner, St. Petersburg

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