Letters to the Editors

Arts foundation, Mayor Beverland, city should unite

Re: Grandstanding by the mayor will not help unite Oldsmar, letter, May 21.

I wholeheartedly applaud former Oldsmar Mayor Tom Pinta for his letter.

Mayor Jerry Beverland's egregious habit of taking undue credit is well-known and should be challenged. I am glad Mayor Pinta had the fortitude to stand up and speak for the residents of Oldsmar. Beverland takes credit for anything positive that happens in Oldsmar, regardless of whether he had anything to do with it. As I have often heard: "Jerry never lets the facts interfere with his version of the truth."

I, for one, am tired of hearing him boast about what a great art benefactor he is and how he created the Oldsmar Cultural Arts Foundation Inc. If he is such a supporter of the arts, why does he continually harass and malign the foundation? Why has he repeatedly threatened to "bury that cultural arts foundation" simply because he does not like key people involved in the organization's growth, management and direction?

Why has he repeatedly boasted of and taken credit for a $5,000 contribution to the organization, when he never paid the entire pledge? If he is such a strong promoter of the arts and the foundation, why did he recently promote the use of the site designated for the construction of an arts center for the new library? In addition to making it much more difficult for an arts center to be built on the same site, that vote leaves the city with a $750,000 piece of land that has no other practical use.

On numerous occasions while I was president of the arts foundation, Beverland sought to impede both the organization and its activities. Even now that I am no longer an officer, Beverland continues to berate and belittle the organization and its purpose. The city entered into an agreement for the foundation to manage the arts program. That is the reason why the foundation gives reports on arts programming. What possible connection do the foundation's fundraising efforts have with carrying out the agreement? None. It is simply another way Beverland can try to make the foundation look bad and make foundation officials dread appearing in front of the City Council.

Quite frankly, the city and the foundation should be united. On more than one occasion, the foundation extended the olive branch to Beverland only to be rebuked by his acrimonious, hostile attitude. I would certainly like to see the city stand up to Beverland and unite for the greatest good. This is what the citizens of Oldsmar deserve and it is what our organization and our city are all about.

We have a great city that is doing many wonderful things; and it doesn't benefit anyone when certain individuals, particularly the mayor, are constantly trying to tear it down.
-- David L. Wallace, Oldsmar

Sandbar should be closed to public

Re: Don't abuse sandbar that protects birds, editorial, May 26.

Hurray, Florida Parks Service! Shame on Save Our Sandbar!

Being a 51-year-old Florida native born in Clearwater, a boat owner and a full-time commercial fisherman since 1973, I am very familiar with the Anclote sandbar.

This tiny speck of land is part of a huge park system open to the public under the management of Gulf Islands GEOpark. The GEOpark includes the Skyway Fishing Pier, Egmont Key, Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island, Three Rooker Bar, Anclote Key and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs Park.

It is my contention that this tiny -- less than 5 acres -- parcel of emerged sandbar is the rarest and most valuable type of shorebird habitat in the entire state. With miles of pristine beach and thousands of acres available for public recreation, the sandbar should be closed to the public.

By the way, I am a social drinker, master barbecuer and the owner of two dogs.
-- Stephan Mummert, Tarpon Springs

Dunedin pays high price for Jays

Re: Dunedin "blessed by Blue Jays,' letter, May 30.

The definition of "blessed" is: "Holy; sacred; consecrated" (Webster). The recent contract with the Blue Jays benefited them with fields and facilities to the tune of about 14-million taxpayer bucks. In turn, the Jays allow the Dunedin High School Falcons to use our own fields. This is the "blessing"?

In perspective, think of the number of great school fields or parks that could be provided for the entire public for those bucks. Was this contract a "blessing" or highway robbery by rich baseball magnates from Canada?

Nevertheless, it is a done deal, so "play ball!" Dunedin citizens will need to enjoy a lot of ball for $14-million plus the high price of tickets. How will the city commissioners pay for it -- eventually more taxes for the Jays?

Who knows if the million-dollar players (or owners) will have a walkout and the Jays will simply fly away, leaving all of us holding the ball bag. (I am glad Commissioner Bob Hackworth has brought an end to city officials' accepting gifts from the Jays.)

Professional ball is wonderful, but at what price?
-- Henry L. King, Dunedin

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