Letters to the Editors

What's the harm in expanding a vital part of life?

For the citizens of Largo who are unable to envision a new library or realize the need for it, a visit to the bustling current library on a recent Saturday would have been a wake-up call.

All parking spaces were full. It was crowded. I saw entire families, seniors and delighted children intent on choosing their books and videos, people of all ages using the computers, waiting in line at the reference desk or sitting in the magazine and newspaper section deep into their readings. Awesome!

At the sign-up desk, a young mother, her three small children snuggling around her, was explaining to them what it would mean to have a library card. I asked if anyone had a camera. It would have been a wonderful picture to show the skeptics.

I wondered what negatives there could be in erecting a building dedicated to knowledge, improving one's mind, learning about the ever-changing world we live in, allowing personal searches for specific information, experiencing the pleasure and intrigue of venturing into many places by reading a book. These are components of a fulfilled life. But a library is so much more than a book repository. There are classes, special events, lectures and activity for all ages.

Existing space is inadequate. Creative efforts by the staff still can't bring light into its darkness. We must build now for the future. Anything less than the proposed size will not solve the problem of our growth potential. After all, Largo is the center of many wonderful things -- the Largo Cultural Center, Central Park, recreation programs, the Gulf Coast Art Museum, the Botanical Gardens, Heritage Village, the Feed Store, an active and dedicated downtown redevelopment group, a dedicated City Commission and others equally involved in our city's future.

Librarians, supporters and patrons who await final decisions on the new library's destiny will be proud when Largo adds another incredible achievement to its roster of accomplishments. All who will be instrumental in its construction and in supporting it should be applauded and appreciated.

Go! See for yourself what's needed. Hopefully, you will then lend your support and say, "Build it! Do it right! Do it now!"
-- Marguerite Veader McHale, Largo

Before rejecting plan for new library, put cost in perspective

I would like to try a different perspective on the new library for Largo.

Would it be unreasonable to Largo residents to spend a dollar a day per resident for a year to build a bigger, better library? That's less than a pack of cigarettes a day. It's about a two-liter soft drink a day.

Would it be worth a quarter a day for the next four years? Taking a year to design and three to build, we would be spreading out the construction cost in a more sensible way.

I suspect some of us spend more on cigarettes and soft drinks than the city was looking to spend on the bigger, better library.

For those who have not been watching, the Largo City Commission is bowing to the perception that the public does not want a bigger, better library. I believe the cuts made at the Sept. 3 commission meeting are just the beginning. If residents do want the bigger, better library, they must speak up soon.
-- Philipp Michel "Mike" Reichold, Largo

Shoddy police response to burglary needs attention

Re: Survey helps police narrow their focus, Aug. 18.

The article stated that in seven surveys over 12 years, traffic and burglary have consistently been Clearwater residents' main concerns. The police need to follow up on those concerns.

At 9 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2001, I reported a residential burglary. After waiting 80 minutes and calling several more times, I called back to cancel the complaint. The next day I called again and the police arrived soon thereafter. The information was taken, and when I spoke with a detective a week later, he did not even have the basic information I had given the responding officers. I spoke with him months later; it seems the handyman who let the burglar into the apartment had been fired and could not be found.

Realizing that police calls are prioritized, I reviewed police logs entered at the time I originally called to see how busy the police had been. A barking dog complaint and a stolen bike crime-in-progress were answered. A police official disputed my claim that the police could have responded, yet no fewer than three police cruisers passed the apartment complex as I waited those 80 minutes.

When I spoke to police officials about the lack of response, I was first told that burglaries routinely are not investigated; complaints are taken over the phone and reports filed -- period. Later, Chief Sid Klein disputed this on his TV program. In any event, common sense tells me the detective should have quickly spoken with the handyman who admitted letting the burglar in instead of waiting months to try to do so.

One week after the burglary, the child abduction case at Savannah Trace occurred and all detectives were put on that case. To date, nothing has come of the burglary investigation. Two people who had legal access to the apartment have not even been questioned.

The article mentioned that Chief Klein "launched a burglary initiative" in 2000. Let's skip the initiative and just respond to the calls for assistance ... and then follow up.
-- John E. Jacobsen, Clearwater

Need for skate park grows even as ideas are scrapped

Two years ago I wrote to the Times about the need for a public skate park. Once again, a good idea for a skate park has been shot down by the teen-haters.

But I have an idea that will make everyone happy. Use the Datska property off Whitney Road. I think this would be a good spot because it's big enough and not right in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

The need is strong because there is no public skate park in this part of the county. The others are crowded and too far away for people living in the Largo area.

It would be nice to see this before I'm an adult and have my own teenagers.
-- Nick Brengle, Largo

Your voice counts

We invite readers to write letters for publication. Address them to Letters to the Editor, the Times, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Or you may fax them to (727) 445-4119, or e-mail to
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Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be printed.

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