Letters to the Editors

Sullivan sat back and did nothing for education

Re: Senator coloring outside the lines, column by Curtis Krueger, July 21.

I have lived in Pinellas County for 22 years, taught in our schools for 18 years and observed -- and experienced as a teacher -- the results of Sen. Don Sullivan's 10 years in elective office. Now, I cannot be sure if Mr. Krueger is damning Sen. Sullivan with faint praise or not, so permit me the opportunity to do so more clearly.

During the senator's 10 years in office as my representative, our education system continued to erode from its 1987 high of 62 cents of each tax dollar in revenue coming into the state treasury being spent on education to last year's low of 56.5 cents. During that time the senator did -- or said -- nothing to stop this decline.

Both in the role of minority and majority party, as a Republican, Sullivan was consistent in supporting the superficial improvements to education. One example was to change the grading system (A=94-100 to A=90-100) when graduation rates dipped too low. At the same time he offered no bills to identify new tax revenue to improve this educational need.

Then, as Mr. Krueger correctly points out, during this last legislative session Sen. Sullivan, even though he is Christian, apparently experienced a Zen-like enlightenment and concluded that education does need new money after all. What a change in opinion for a lame duck (an elected member of a lawmaking body who is in the last year and has very diminished political influence) member of the state Legislature. It reads like another cliche: "too little, too late." Or did the senator already know that?

Mr. Krueger's column also makes reference to Dennis Jones, who will be Sen. Sullivan's replacement, as promoting some education reforms. Now, I also remember that as a member of the state House -- until Eight Is Enough forced him out -- Mr. Jones likewise followed the party line and consciously did nothing to end the erosion of Florida's education system. I can only hope that he had the same enlightening experience as Sen. Sullivan, with the big difference being his status as an experienced first-year member of the Senate rather than as a lame duck. I, for one, will follow Mr. Jones' actions in Tallahassee very closely.
-- Dr. Wallace F. Witham, Belleair Bluffs
St. Petersburg High School
International Baccalaureate faculty (ret.)

"Pay to play' chimp program is the problem

Re: A chimp play date, story, July 5.

On behalf of the Chimpanzee Collaboratory, I would like to point out that your July 5 article on Gini Valbuena's "pay to play" chimpanzee program in Clearwater omitted a few important details.

We are a group of scientists, public policy experts and attorneys that includes world-renowned primatologist and advocate Jane Goodall. We are dedicated to improving the lives of chimpanzees and other great apes. Programs such as Valbuena's are exactly what we are trying to protect chimpanzees and other great apes from.

Captive chimpanzees in this type of situation are usually taken from their mothers at infancy and are denied the opportunity to grow up in a normal chimpanzee family. Later in life, they become too strong for a "hands-on" approach by even the most caring human guardian.

Chimpanzees are extremely social beings, but they become so humanized when raised in this manner that, once placed in a sanctuary with other chimpanzees, they do not know how to interact and they suffer horribly from social isolation. Those are the lucky ones. More often than not, chimpanzees used in entertainment end up being sold to biomedical laboratories or roadside zoos, where they may remain for decades.

Readers who wish to learn about the true nature of chimpanzees and their plight can contact the Center for Captive Chimpanzee Care in Boynton Beach (www.savethechimps.org). This sanctuary, run by Chimpanzee Collaboratory member Dr. Carole Noon, is home to chimpanzees who previously lived in an Air Force laboratory. She also provides sanctuary for chimpanzees who were orphaned by their owners, who initially kept them as pets but were no longer able to take care of them.

Noon provides true sanctuary for these individuals and allows them to be who they are -- chimpanzees, not props for our entertainment.
-- Liz Clancy Lyons,
The Chimpanzee Collaboratory,
Washington, D.C.

Corner in dire need of good cleaning up

I walk a lot for exercise all around Clearwater. The southeast corner of S Greenwood Avenue and Druid Road is a disgrace. It's an empty lot, and on both sides of those streets the bushes and weeds have grown over the fence. On Druid you can hardly walk on the sidewalk without getting hit by bushes, overgrown weeds and so forth. On the Greenwood side, there are beer bottles and trash everywhere.
-- Cecilia Sellner, Clearwater

We should be proud of our gulf coast, not ashamed

I recently moved back to Florida, my birthplace, from the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. I am so ashamed to say that I have seen an incredible amount of garbage and things that should be recycled covering the ground.

In North Carolina, our school and community took the time and effort to recycle everything. I am 11 years old and wonder why our state and community officers do not think cleaning up Pinellas County is important.

The problem I see is that fewer people care about the earth anymore. Stop throwing garbage out of your cars and throwing cigarettes on the ground. It's disgusting!

We should be proud of our gulf coast, not ashamed. Let's all do our part and clean up Pinellas.
-- Kaelin Jutras, Clearwater

What, exactly, is the deal with Scientology?

Re: Landing the jet set, story, July 22.

What is so important about John Travolta's excesses that warrants front page coverage? Also, can anybody tell me about this Scientology thing? Apparently they have worship services, but who or what do they worship?

They are recognized as a religion and most definitions of that word imply worship of a god or something supernatural. Otherwise it is merely a set of rules or regulations, and I believe that is not the definition understood by the Founding Fathers. Therefore, to be classified as a religion, they must worship something or somebody.

This is not meant to denigrate them, I would really like to know. Do they have actual services, and if so, can anybody attend? I have heard much argument against them, but I really know practically nothing.
-- John Fisher, Seminole

Thanks Station 40, you're real lifesavers

Twice this year it was necessary for us to call 911 in the middle of the night. We would like to express our appreciation to Largo Fire Station 40 for the quick response to those calls. Their professional and calming presence meant so much to both of us. We feel that my husband's life was saved because of their knowledge. Thanks to all involved.
-- John and Barbara Agin, Clearwater

Story was a good thing for Scouts, Scouting

Re: Up to the challenge, story, July 23.

The article was well-written and had everything in it that it needed. I like the way it expressed young people in a good way.

I think that this article will encourage more people to be involved in Scouting, which will allow Scouting to thrive. I think that your article will inspire Scouts to do more good deeds, because they know that the public will thank them for it. I also like your article because it will mean a lot to the Scout leaders and volunteers at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation in Hernando County, who provide the Ego Challenge for the Scouts.
-- Michael Warren, age 11, Crystal Beach

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