Letters to the Editors

Let's stop sending students to school in the dark

Re: Second brother dies after bicycle accident, story, Oct. 27.

It breaks my heart to read of the tragic bicycle accident that killed two innocent teenagers. The parents moved here from Albania to provide their children with a better life and a better education.

I wonder how much longer Pinellas County will send our young people out to school in the dark, early morning hours before they realize it is dangerous. Do you realize this accident would not have happened the next week after we returned to "normal time"? The drivers of the cars would have seen the bicycle, because the sun would have been up.

Something needs to be done. Either we do away with daylight saving time, which we no longer need, or the public schools find a way to protect our young people and start school at a later time.
-- Margaret Hyde, Clearwater

Children's safety should come first

I am heartsick over the deaths of the Sefa brothers, who were killed while riding together on a bike to high school. Granted, the brothers did not have a bike light and crossed at an intersection with no stoplight, without helmets, but I think it's ridiculous to expect school kids of any age to start class at 7:20 a.m. My high school-age children are off and running as early as my husband, in pitch blackness for part of the school year.

However, I really feel sorry for some friends who are putting their first- and second-graders on the bus at 6:30 a.m. half asleep. Farmers are about the only people who can reasonably function at that time.

These starting times should be re-evaluated, busing notwithstanding. Our children's safety and well-being should come first. The real tragedy is that part of the blame rests with the people who make these decisions.
-- D. Rod, Seminole

Time change should be earlier in fall

For a long time now, I have thought that we turn the clocks back from daylight saving time far too late in the fall. As a parent of a student leaving for school in the dark for the last few weeks, I couldn't help but think it was a tragedy in waiting.

Now, with the deaths of Almarin and Ervis Sefa, we have two bright, loving boys taken from their parents. And think what the drivers of the cars that hit them must deal with for the rest of their lives.

Doesn't it make more sense to change the time back at the beginning of October instead of the end?
-- Kay Condron, Indian Shores

Eliminate daylight saving time

Now that two more children have been killed, when will the state of Florida eliminate the daylight saving time in Florida? If the accident had happened 48 hours later, those two kids would most likely be alive, because drivers would have been able to see them. When can we stop sending our kids to school in the dark?
-- Robert Hall, Seminole

Inaccuracies cited in teens' obituaries

I must say I am very, very offended about the young boys who were killed in a fatal accident. The two brothers were riding across Missouri Avenue, one on the seat, the other on the handlebars, and before they reached the other side a car hit them, knocking them off their bikes, then another hit them, which killed one immediately. The other struggled through a day before passing away.

In school today one of our teachers posted the obituaries for these young guys. I read them and became very upset. It reads they were students at Largo High School and that both passed away on Saturday, Oct. 26. Both pieces of information are incorrect. They caught a bus at Largo High School to go to their school, which is Pinellas Park High School, and as I already said, one was killed on the scene of the accident. I find it offensive that the reporter didn't take the time to find the facts. I now wonder how much of what I read in your paper I can trust.
-- Domenic Bisesti, Largo
EDITOR'S NOTE: Corrected versions of the obituaries were printed Oct. 31.

Fireworks ordinance deserves approval

Hooray for the lawyers who drafted an ordinance on the use of fireworks in Pinellas County! I for one love fireworks, but in the wrong hands, they can be deadly.

It's not enough that it's overwhelming on the Fourth of July, but some buyers start setting them off in the middle of June! I have seen 6- and 7-year-old children set off Roman candles and bottle rockets right in front of their parents. I know these same parents would never let their children handle a gun, and I believe fireworks are just as deadly. I recall a young boy almost losing an eye on the Courtney Campbell Parkway this past year and a home being ignited because of this hazard.

During the past few years, we have seen a drought like none other, and I find it hard to believe that fireworks would even be allowed to be sold, knowing the fire risk involved.

I hope for the sake of our children (and property) that this ordinance passes. Let's leave the fireworks displays to the experts.
-- Diane Rancan, Palm Harbor

Don't waste taxes on more bus lights

Re: Buses' flashing lights not dangerous; drivers are, letter, Oct. 23.

Let's put a few more flashing lights on public transportation and school buses and we'll have moving Christmas trees throughout the year.

If drivers do not recognize buses in front of them, they should not sit behind the wheel.

May our tax money be put to better use for more important things.
-- Hildegard Kalms, Largo

Times recommends

Following is a summary of the Times' editorial recommendations on local referendum questions on the ballot Tuesday:

Oldsmar

Referendum 1, to hire and fire charter officials with one, three-fifths vote of council: No.

Referendum 2, to hire and fire city manager with one, three-fifths vote of council: No.

Referendum 3, to change date vice mayor is appointed: Yes.

Tarpon Springs

Referendum to issue revenue bonds for improvements to water and sewer system: Yes.

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