Opinion: For a better state House

Republican Charles Dean is uniquely qualified to represent House District 43. As a cattle rancher, teacher and sheriff, he has working knowledge of the problems facing Florida in the key areas of education, public safety and in the balance between preserving the state's fragile environment while accommodating growth.

This varied background puts Dean well ahead of his two opponents, Democrat Jimmy Carr and Libertarian Neil Polimeni.

As Citrus County sheriff for 16 years, Dean, 63, spent time in Tallahassee as president of the Florida Sheriffs Association and as a member of the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Working each year with the County Commission on issues ranging from his office's budget to the privatization of jail services taught him lessons in compromise and consensus building.

He hopes to take those skills to the House, where his focus will be on improving the state's education system. On growth management, Dean wants to streamline permitting and eliminate government redundancies while still preserving the quality of life in District 43, which includes all of Citrus and parts of Levy and Hernando counties.

Carr, 58, says he wants to break the GOP's stranglehold on power in Tallahassee. Carr ran a food distribution business for 25 years and is now a food broker. His lack of public service experience is a liability, however. Making your political debut in the state House is a daunting task; it's even more challenging when the candidate lacks a defined platform.

It's a disadvantage shared by Polimeni, 33, a supervisor at a Hernando County corrections facility. A staunch conservative, he advocates lower taxes, less government and is strongly pro-life. Polimeni, however, offers few details for how he would accomplish his aims.

Dean brings experience, knowledge of the issues and a set of ambitious goals to the race. The Times recommends Dean for the District 43 seat.

David Russell, Jr. for District 44

A casual observer will be tempted to label this year's race for House District 44 a repeat of the 2000 general election. Incumbent Republican David Russell Jr. is being challenged again by Democrat Gregory Williams. Both are waging issue-oriented campaigns. And both men live in Hernando County, the geographic heart of the district, which includes almost all of Hernando, southern Sumter County and a section of north-central Pasco County.

But the similarities end there, and the biggest difference between then and now is that Russell has used the past two years to disprove critics' allegations that he is a follower who kowtows to his party's leadership. At the same time, he has used his growing influence in the House to advance some sensible legislation that benefits consumers and protects the state's natural resources.

Notably, Russell opposed a bill that would have significantly raised taxes on the use of telephones, and he voted against a water conservation bill that could have irreparably contaminated the aquifer. Russell also successfully pushed a bill that linked land-use planning to the availability of water. While that legislation is not perfect, it is a giant step in the direction of responsible growth management. Those are but a few examples of Russell's willingness to break ranks with the GOP leadership.

All of Russell's votes are not so agreeable. His backing of a bill that makes it more difficult for local governments to remove unsightly billboards and a bill that struck down the requirement that Florida Turnpike Authority projects pay for themselves through tolls are two we wish he had not promoted.

Hoping to unseat Russell, Williams' platform includes tax reform, reduced prices for prescription medicines and lower insurance premiums for government employees. Williams, 42, is a viable, well-intentioned candidate, but he cannot overcome the incumbent's experience.

Edward Pittman, a Libertarian who lives outside the district, is the third candidate in this race. He has no discernible platform other than to say he offers voters a "different choice."

Russell, 47, is seeking his third two-year term in the House, and is chairman of the Transportation Committee. That position, and other committee assignments, have afforded him opportunities to craft and nurture substantial legislation. Given his evolving independence and his measured approach to public service, the Times recommends Russell in District 44.

Tom Anderson for District 45

It is difficult for first-time candidates to match Dunedin Mayor Tom Anderson's life experiences.

He held management positions with the federal government in New York and Washington and operated his own management consulting firm before retiring a decade ago. The city of Dunedin has prospered during his nine-year tenure as commissioner and mayor with a revitalized downtown, improved drinking water system, expanded library and new senior center.

Anderson, the Republican candidate for House District 45, doesn't shy away from a difficult decision. He provided the swing vote to eliminate Dunedin's Police Department, a controversial move that made him a target of the police union, but it was the right decision for the city. He has been an independent thinker and a calm, mature voice on the City Commission.

Anderson is opposed by Libertarian John J. Doherty, who isn't campaigning and doesn't reside in the district, and Democrat Kevin Jensen, an accidental candidate. Jensen intended to become a first-time campaign manager this election season then decided to run for office after figuring he was just as qualified as the next person.

Jensen is a part-time emergency medical technician and an adjunct instructor at St. Petersburg College where he teaches college success skills to new students. By all accounts, he is running an underdog candidacy in the newly drawn district representing southwest Pasco and northern Pinellas counties. Too frequently, he falls back to a stock answer of "my experience is with helping people in the back of an ambulance" when asked to delineate a position.

Jensen's platform mirrors the Democratic Party's education agenda seeking smaller class sizes and a retreat from the emphasis on standardized tests. Yet, he is resistant to the idea of new revenues to pay for the initiatives. By contrast, Anderson acknowledges higher taxes may be required if additional money can't be found in Tallahassee to meet the state's needs.

Anderson's impressive accomplishments in Dunedin, coupled with his practical approach to governing, make him a significantly stronger candidate. The Times recommends Anderson.

Heather Fiorentino for District 46

State Rep. Heather Fiorentino, R-New Port Richey, brings a teacher's perspective to the Legislature. It is a valuable commodity at a time education is a top priority in Florida.

She has been a critic of Gov. Jeb Bush 's A+

Plan for Education and opposed her Republican colleagues' attempts to accelerate distribution of private-school vouchers. Her independence isn't restricted to education. Fiorentino also found herself in the minority in objecting to the misguided plan to store untreated waste water underground.

She does more than sound the voice of dissent. After reading of organizational problems at the Pasco Homeless Coalition, Fiorentino became the lead sponsor of a bill that set aside $5-million for a new state Office on Homelessness to boost local efforts. Fiorentino already announced plans to step down in 2004 after three terms in office.

In her bid for a final two-year term representing House District 46 in western Pasco County, she is challenged by Democrat Craig McCart and Libertarian John Kueny.

McCart entered the race late after the original Democratic candidate withdrew due to a family health emergency. McCart is well known in the community as a former stand-up comedian, executive director of Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation and for his volunteer work for the Hudson Seafest. He is knowledgeble on water issues -- always a positive attribute for Pasco representatives -- from his time as a member of a citizens advisory board in Pasco County and as a volunteer director of a community utility in Hudson.

He faces the difficult task of using education as the centerpiece of a campaign against a teacher. He gives a blanket endorsement of the smaller class-size amendment without confronting the financial ramifications, and he offers vague criticisms of Fiorentino's failure to support educators.

Kueny, one of the few Libertarians actually campaigning, brings few ideas except to bolster the teaching of history and civics. He draws that notion from his experience working with recent high school graduates who had little knowledge or interest in politics, current events and historical perspective. His candor is refreshing, even comedic, but he is not well informed.

Neither challenger provides voters with a substantial reason for replacing the incumbent. The Times recommends Fiorentino for state House District 46.

Michael A. Steinberg for District 47

Democrat Michael Steinberg has a realistic view of the problems facing northwest Hillsborough. He recognizes that the growing suburbs need more and better schools, adequate public safety and children's services and more effective ways to manage growth.

Steinberg is a 43-year-old Tampa attorney who has a solid understanding of the county and the state. He would spend more on social services, health care and education, and pay for these programs by eliminating certain sales tax exemptions and looking for "other feasible revenue sources."

Steinberg's willingness to confront the state's problems honestly is a fresh departure from the canned political debate most candidates offer the voters. He is refreshingly candid and well-informed, and his agenda to improve public schools and better manage growth are top priorities for District 47. Steinberg is a strong advocate for open government and for the government's purchase of environmentally sensitive land. He also has good ideas for expanding access to health care and for improving child welfare services.

Republican Kevin Ambler, a 41-year-old attorney, has broad community experience and a grasp of government through his service on the Northdale Special Tax District. But Ambler is not realistic about the state's budget problems, and his views on health care, education, social services and the environment betray a lack of preparation. Libertarian Rob Schwartzberg has not waged a meaningful campaign. The Times recommends Steinberg.

Gus Bilirakis for District 48

Gus Michael Bilirakis has drawn a light challenge in his effort to win a third term in the Florida House of Representatives. His opponent, A.J. Brent, is one of a cadre of Libertarian candidates around the state who mistakenly believe that by doing nothing more than getting on the ballot they enhance their party's image.

Republican Bilirakis, 39, is a soft-spoken lawyer with mostly moderate views. He is the son of veteran U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis and readily admits that he might like to seek that seat once his father leaves Congress.

A low-key legislator, Gus Bilirakis was responsive to homeowners fighting the predatory tax-deed practices of Don Connolly this year. And his stands on key issues mostly avoid the ideological extremes of his party's right wing. For instance, he said he is ready to address tax reform. "We are going to have to take a look at the (sales tax) exemptions again, as far as I'm concerned." And he opposes spending Florida Forever funds for any purpose other than preserving environmentally sensitive land.

On education, Bilirakis is even somewhat critical of the importance Gov. Bush has put on the FCAT test. The FCAT "shouldn't be the sole determining factor in judging a student or a school," he said.

Brent, 55, is pleasant enough, but we wonder what point he is trying to make. He didn't live in House District 48 when he filed to run. His campaign literature asks "What is the purpose of government?" and the answer, according to Brent, is very little. For example, "It should be voluntary whether you attend school or not," he said.

The Times recommends Gus Michael Bilirakis for the state House District 48 seat.

Kim Berfield for District 50

For the most part, first-term state Rep. Kim Berfield has represented her constituents' views and stood up to some of the House leadership's worst excesses. While she took office with little detailed knowledge of state government, she has worked hard to catch up. In fact, one of Berfield's first legislative efforts was to sponsor a progressive health insurance reform bill.

We are still concerned that Berfield, 31, will let her connection to the development industry influence her decisions on growth management laws, but we take her at her word that it will not. She worked for the Contractors and Builders Association of Pinellas County until this year and is now a marketing and public relations consultant.

Berfield has shown her independence on a couple of important issues. She opposes vouchers, which are being pushed by her party's leaders, and she would like to make FCAT testing and school grading more responsive to real-life needs of students and parents. While she acknowledges the importance of tax reform, she is timid in her solutions. The truth is, the state faces a budget shortfall next year that cannot be resolved merely through tax-collection efficiency or budgetary belt-tightening.

Kai Rush, Berfield's only serious opponent, is an energetic newcomer to politics with some good ideas, especially on education. A teacher at Dunedin High School, Rush, a 24-year-old Democrat, sees the damage to morale done by the current educational system, particularly from the importance put on a single test.

While Rush is well versed on educational issues, he needs to develop a more complex understanding of other key challenges facing the state, such as health care, water policy and growth management. With more seasoning, Rush could be a formidable opponent.

The third candidate, Brian L. Gilbert, is a self-described "trademark candidate" of the Libertarian Party. He doesn't live in the district and has done nothing to inform voters of his candidacy.

The Times recommends Kim Berfield for the District 50 seat.

Richard Langton for District 51

State Rep. Leslie Waters says she has visited thousands of homes in her first two terms in office, yet her description of what her constituents want sounds as though she never left the state Capitol. The controversial school grading system: "Not on people's minds." Privatizing public services: "People want it done cheaper." Tax reform and investment: "I'm taxed enough, and so are my neighborhoods, mother and father, friends and associates."

Waters has worked hard in her job, but she has little to show for it. That's because she has spent too much time trying to please the governor and House Republican leaders and too little time understanding what her community truly needs. Waters, a retired Allstate Insurance executive, also has become absorbed in insurance issues. District 51, which is in west central and southern Pinellas County, deserves better.

In this race, Waters is opposed by Richard Langton, 27, a Democrat who once worked as an intern for former Rep. Lars Hafner and who says a quality education system is necessary for a strong economy. He says he wants to make health care and prescription drugs more affordable, and wants better trained child welfare workers.

"I would grade the A+

Education Plan with an F," Langton says. "We need to return control to teachers and parents and use the FCAT in a sensible manner that grades student achievement and does not punish students or schools."

Langton, a production associate with Langton Surveying, is seeking his first public office, but has done his homework. Waters, seeking her third term, is using old notes. We recommend Langton.

Chris Eaton for District 52

The case for Chris Eaton is not so much that the incumbent, Rep. Frank Farkas, has been a disappointment as much as it is that this newcomer offers real promise.

Eaton, 44, takes on humanitarian causes for a living. He is founder of Bridge Builders, a company that links U.S. volunteers with Central and South America communities that are desperate for their help. He is president of the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association, a former City Council candidate, and he speaks about politics with a quiet dignity. Says Eaton, a Democrat: "I've had to cultivate the capacity to listen, to try to understand, and then work with a diversity of people."

That professional background is impressive, and it may help explain his campaign pitch: "opportunity for all, responsibility from all, and community of all." He wants to quit using standardized tests merely as a tool of punishment in schools, thinks vulnerable children need better protection from the state, wants to stop development sprawl, and thinks health care must be affordable.

District 52 includes parts of St. Petersburg, Largo and Clearwater, and the incumbent, Farkas, can be proud of some of his votes on the environment and criminal justice and public education. But Farkas, a chiropractor, also has spent much of his two terms hitched to some special interests, including his own health care profession. He sponsored a health insurance bill that, as originally written, would have unwisely excluded many medical procedures from coverage. A third candidate, Libertarian Alison Lipscomb, has not run a serious campaign.

In District 52, we recommend Chris Eaton.

Charlie Justice for District 53

Incumbent state Rep. Charlie Justice has built a solid record in the Legislature. The first-term Democrat has worked to fix the ills of the Department of Children and Families and earned one of the highest rankings for his votes on environmental issues.

Justice, 34, an academic adviser at the University of South Florida, has made investment in education a priority. He favors improved pay and benefits for teachers, and he is a strong supporter of Amendment 9 to reduce class sizes. That amendment is controversial because it would be very expensive, but Justice makes his position clear. "If we can't afford it, then isn't that saying we can't afford a quality education system?" he said.

To meet such demands on the state budget, Justice said he is ready to examine sales tax exemptions one by one and eliminate those that wouldn't cause economic damage. Of course, it might not be that simple to increase state revenues next year. While Justice is a bit vague on his tax proposals, we encourage him to have the courage of his convictions should he be re-elected.

Justice has drawn a strong opponent in Republican Ken Feck. A 32-year-old bank executive, Feck has a solid record of community involvement.

Feck's views on the major issues are more moderate than his party's; in fact, he sounds a lot like Justice. Feck would spend more for education, support modernization of the state tax system, favor a reorganization of DCF. While Feck hasn't made a good enough case for unseating the incumbent, he is a credible challenger, and we encourage him to remain involved in public service even if he is unsuccessful in this race.

The third candidate is Libertarian Michael Gilson-DeLemos, who is not running a serious campaign.

The Times recommends Charlie Justice for the District 53 seat.

John Carassas for District 54

John Carassas, a former assistant city attorney for Clearwater, promised to bring a moderate Republican approach to a state House increasingly dominated by fractious politics. So far, he has measured up.

In his first term, Rep. Carassas may be best known for a constitutional amendment he co-sponsored with Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Palm Harbor, that will ask voters on Nov. 5 to make it more difficult for lawmakers to make government records secret. "Open government is good government," Carassas said. "It's a very simple concept."

Carassas, though, has also listened to educators, environmental groups and consumers. As he runs for a second term, he offers a fair criticism his own party's education reform: "It takes more than one test to measure a school." He says education, health care, social services, the environment and public safety are his priorities and "must be funded appropriately even if that means restructuring our state tax system, such as removing exemptions."

District 54 covers Pinellas beaches and parts of Clearwater and Largo. Carassas' opponent is Kurt Gratzol, a Green Party candidate who sells industrial paints. Gratzol offers a refreshingly straightforward platform that acknowledges, among other things, that the lack of an income tax hurts Florida. But he hasn't made a strong enough case for replacing the incumbent. We recommend Carassas.

Frank Peterman for District 55

In his first two years as a state representative, Frank Peterman has shown himself to be an aggressive advocate, an independent thinker and a gentleman lawmaker. He pushed through a bill to give Pinellas voters the chance, finally, to change their system of School Board elections. He refused to participate in the House speaker's orchestrated attack on a tax fairness plan. He was ordained as a minister in June, and even his opponent says, "You will not find a finer man than Frank."

As Peterman seeks a second term, voters will find this choice an easy one.

Peterman, 40, a Democrat, is a St. Petersburg native. He is director of development for the Juvenile Services Program of St. Petersburg, and is a former City Council member. In the House, he has been a strong supporter of public education and has been recognized for his commitment to environmental protection. Peterman has remained in touch with his community. In December, he gave prominent public support to St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, who had fired a police chief in part over some racially insensitive remarks. "The true test of a man is not where he stands in times of confidence and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy," Peterman said of Baker.

Peterman's opponent is Vincent Hopkins, 40, Republican, a childhood friend and former high school football rival. Hopkins offers little of the civic and political experience of Peterman and has focused primarily on minority contracting in local governments, an issue over which the Legislature has little authority. In a meeting with the Times, he said, "My plan is to run against Ken Welch (a county commissioner)." A third candidate on the ballot, Libertarian Thomas Kilmon, is offering no campaign.

We strongly recommend Peterman.

Sandra L. Murman for District 56

Sandy Murman has delivered on her advocacy for children since first being elected in 1996, and her rise in the House Republican leadership has benefited county residents. She deserves another term.

Murman, 52, brings a wide range of community experience to the job, and her civic involvement is one reason her agenda can appeal to Republicans and Democrats alike. Murman hews too closely to the party line on some budgetary and social issues. She talks, for example, about "increasing accountability" but doesn't seem serious about confronting the need for new revenue sources. Still, Murman's value is the focus she brings on child protection, indigent health care and services for seniors. She also is protective of Tampa General Hospital, a genuine asset for the entire region.

Her challenger, Libertarian Mark A. Howard, a 38-year-old computer programmer, would privatize all government services except for the police, the court system and statewide defense agencies. He would expand school vouchers and give parents greater control over where they send their child to school. Howard's platform would move this state in the wrong direction and make the neediest in society even more vulnerable. Murman is the only credible choice, and we recommend her in District 56.

Scott Farrell for District 57

The race in District 57, which covers South Tampa and Westchase, pits a political newcomer with a promising future against a perennial candidate with an unenlightening career. Voters may not know Democrat Scott Farrell, but his thoughtfulness and willingness to confront the serious issues stand in remarkable contrast to Republican Faye Culp.

Farrell, a 35-year-old corporate lawyer, has represented local hospitals and knows the pressures facing Florida's health care system. He is well versed in the challenges facing small business and Florida's overall economy. Expanding affordable health care and diversifying job growth would be among his top goals. So would solving the "crisis" in Florida's public schools and rectifying the "disappointing" A+

Plan. The son of a teacher, Farrell says Florida must invest in smaller classes, do a better job of recruiting and retaining good teachers and involve educators more in the accountability process.

Culp, 62, held this district seat for two terms in the mid-1990s, before leaving to run unsuccessfully for Florida education commissioner. She seems to focus more on political opportunities than on the more selfless work of moving Florida forward. Culp's tenure in the House was unremarkable. Though responsive to constituents, Culp talks in generalities about Florida's needs and offers little beyond political gimmicks to solve the state's most pressing problems. Even now, her most detailed idea for Florida is to give foster families a donated computer -- a worthy goal, but one that hardly scratches the surface of what the state really needs.

In fairness, many of Farrell's plans are not all that specific. But he at least grasps the scope and urgency of Florida's problems, and is more inclined to confront them on a higher plane. Tyson Richmond, a low-profile Libertarian candidate, will also be on the ballot. In District 57, the Times recommends Scott Farrell.

Bob Henriquez for District 58

Bob Henriquez has in his brief political career represented the interests of West Tampa well and raised the profile of Hillsborough's legislative delegation. He is a voice of reason in Tallahassee, and his sense of fairness is an important one for this diverse, working-class district.

Henriquez, 38, is a former county planner who made his name in Tampa coaching high school football. He understands the challenges Florida faces in improving child protection and services to seniors. Henriquez is a strong supporter of the public schools and health care for the indigent. He recognizes the need for subsidized child care, supports the purchase of environmentally sensitive land and talks more than most Democrats about the need to bolster economic development efforts.

Republican Hector Vila, 71, a retired small-business owner, seems genuinely concerned with improving his community. Vila says he can devote more time than Henriquez to the demands of constituent work. There certainly is a need in District 58 for the state to become more engaged in redevelopment efforts. But Henriquez is better suited to deliver on this than Vila. He also has a better understanding of the central Tampa neighborhoods included in his district. The Times recommends Henriquez.

Arthenia L. Joyner for District 59

Tampa attorney Arthenia Joyner, a Democrat elected in 2000, came to office with strong local ties but an unfocused political agenda. She has matured quickly in Tallahassee, pushing progressive policies that address the needs of her struggling east Tampa district.

Joyner is right to focus on the positive role the government can play in turning around depressed communities. She would be more effective if she spent more time focusing on the district's specific needs. Joyner acknowledges that the state and local governments need to unify their efforts, and her desire to accomplish this in the coming term could bolster redevelopment in east Tampa. Her opponent, Libertarian Rex Curry, wants to reduce government's role in society, which would hardly be progress for District 59. The Times recommends Joyner.

Sara Romeo for District 60

This race is a rematch from two years ago, when Sara Romeo defeated Ed Homan to represent north Hillsborough in the Florida House. Voters made the best choice then, and they should send Romeo back to Tallahassee. Her depth, character and responsiveness to constituent concerns are attributes that well serve these growing suburbs.

Romeo, a 53-year-old Democrat, has the sensitivity to focus on real-world priorities and everyday needs. She has been a positive force on water conservation and neighborhood issues, and her thoughtful legislative style draws praise from Republicans and Democrats alike. Romeo wants to raise teacher salaries and spend more on child protection efforts. She understands that accountability begins with the Legislature's having the courage to fund public services at an adequate level. Her common-sense approach and disdain for gimmicks give her an uncommon bipartisan appeal.

Romeo's agenda well suits the district. Traffic and environmental protection are prime concerns in New Tampa, Temple Terrace and Lutz, and much of the political debate here revolves around the search for balance between suburban and rural ways of life. Romeo is admired for throwing herself into this debate and searching for broad community consensus.

Homan, a 59-year-old Republican, is an orthopedic surgeon who lives in Temple Terrace. His main selling point is that he could more effectively represent the district as a member of the House majority party. But the Legislature does not need a pack mentality. Romeo has a broader understanding of her district's needs, and her concerns for schools, consumer protection and the environment transcend the divide of partisanship. Libertarian Ryan C. Conley is also on the ballot, but he has not run a serious campaign. The Times recommends Sara Romeo to voters in District 60.

Pat Burke for District 61

The public has been misled. Education is not the top issue in the 2002 campaign.

That is the skewed view from Ken Littlefield's perch. The Republican state representative for House District 61 thinks the economy is Florida's foremost challenge because of its impact on the state budget. Toward that end, he believes more corporate tax cuts are in order.

He doesn't stop there. Littlefield isn't convinced the state needs additional revenue to meet its needs and doesn't back down from his 2001 special session boast that he looked forward to cutting spending even though the program cuts affected the elderly, schools and even the state's successful antismoking campaign aimed at teenagers. It's an odd stance considering even Gov. Jeb Bush now recognizes the need for additional classrooms and wants to borrow money to finance construction.

Littlefield also doesn't regret his vote supporting aquifer storage of untreated water nor approving a bill that could raise telecommunications tax even though most other Republicans abandoned those partisan positions after a boisterous public outcry. If nothing else, Littlefield is loyal to his Conservative core.

But residents in District 61, which now encompasses most of central and east Pasco and a portion of northern Hillsborough counties, deserve a representative with a more realistic approach to meeting Florida's needs. It won't come from Libertarian Joseph Frank Preta Jr. of Tampa who did not respond to interview requests.

That leaves Democrat Pat Burke who offers a better, but far from perfect, vision. She cut her teeth as an environmental activist fighting a proposed pumping increase near the Crystal Springs preserve in southeast Pasco County. She believes the Department of Community Affairs warrants greater, not reduced authority, over local planning decisions.

She calls herself a fighter. Others call her abrasive. Certainly, at times, she is contradictory. She states there is nothing wrong with Florida's tax system, but also advocates stripping away some sales tax exemptions in order to increase revenues. She supports the amendment to reduce class sizes, but doesn't articulate a substantial way to pay for more schools and teachers.

Despite her shortcomings, Burke's more independent thinking is preferable to Littlefield's strictly partisan viewpoint. The Times recommends Pat Burke to District 61 voters.

Opportunity to reply

The Times offers candidates not recommended by its Editorial Board an opportunity to reply. Candidates should send in their replies no later than 5 p.m. Friday to: Philip Gailey, editor of editorials, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. By e-mail: letters@sptimes.com (no attachments, please). By fax: (727) 893-8675; Replies are limited to 250 words.

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