Letters to the Editors

Vote 'yes,' reject tall hotels in Treasure Island

It is unfortunate that recent ads by special business interests have tried to confuse Treasure Island voters on the height and density initiative. Despite their money and efforts, one thing is clear: If you don't want tall hotels on Treasure Island, vote yes.

There is not a shred of evidence that supports the contention by initiative opponents that taxes will increase. Residents of Treasure Island pay 88 percent of all property taxes. Hotels pay less than 9 percent. Property tax revenues cover the bulk of city expenditures. Not one dollar of tourist development taxes is paid directly to the city. The taxes are paid to the county to use as it sees fit.

Opponents of the initiative are also trying to scare residents by suggesting that the initiative will affect renovations to their homes. Treasure Island has a variance process that routinely grants residential height variances. The initiative will not change that process one bit.

A vote YES on the referendum will prevent the residents of Treasure Island from living with a lifetime of tall buildings. Vote YES on the initiative.
-- Kenneth L. Weiss, Treasure Island

Pinellas Park ballot measure isn't clear

There is a question that will appear on the ballot for voters in Pinellas Park. The explanation of the amendment states that it will delete the language for a runoff and adds language for a "tie."

What the explanation does not say is that the amendment will allow a person to be elected to office with as little as 10 percent of the votes if there were many candidates for an office.

This could give rise to a small, organized minority winning elections with a very small percentage of voters.
-- Robert Campbell, Pinellas Park

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