Letters to the Editors

Redevelopment is crucial to future of Pinellas

I am writing in regard to the Redevelopment Opportunities Summit for the Pinellas Community, which occurred recently in Clearwater.

First, I had the distinct privilege of serving on the Steering Committee that helped form the summit. The committee is an assemblage of some of the brightest, most talented professionals from the public and private sectors across Pinellas County. Perhaps most significant, the committee consists of elected officials and staff from the county government as well as municipalities located throughout Pinellas County. This is very significant considering the unique and fragile nature of intergovernmental relations in our community.

Clearly, County Commissioner Karen Seel deserves to be commended for her vision in creating this dynamic committee and for having the passion, courage and fortitude to move this important process of cooperation, communication, coordination and consensus-building forward.

Next, the summit itself was a resounding success. It was attended by a diverse assortment of citizens from throughout our community, representing various constituencies, neighborhoods, governments, organizations, associations and professions. The program and agenda were extremely impressive, offering a dynamic mix of interesting and insightful presenters.

The message of the summit was clear: Pinellas County, one of the most desirable places in the world to live and visit, is approaching built-out status. Many of our commercial and residential structures are aged and zoning ordinances antiquated.

During the summit, the presenters offered convincing arguments -- all supported by ample documentation -- which indicate that the redevelopment and rejuvenation of our community is an enormously vital component to ensuring the future viability of our beloved county, its economy, housing sector and our cherished standard of living.

For the sake of future generations, the citizens of Pinellas County must work together to effectuate quality, sustainable redevelopment. The summit was an historic opportunity to educate the public and create positive dialogue designed to help guide our collective future. It was an honor to have been a part of it.
-- Mike Mayo, director of Strategic Relations
Pinellas Realtor Organization

Quality of life, not just development, needs attention

Editor of Editorials Diane Steinle's Dec. 15 column, Looking forward to the next 100 years in Pinellas, provides a good focus following the Redevelopment Opportunities Summit. The "whole" community does need to consider where we are and what we want our future Pinellas to be. This discussion should include not only the development side, but protection of the environment, preserving neighborhoods and improving the quality of life as noted in the column.

The Board of County Commissioners has on its agenda at today's meeting the "Planning to Stay" document for transmittal to state agencies, local agencies and the public. This document was written by the county Planning Department and spells out where we are as to build-out and suggests the issues and guidelines for how we should approach a plan for the future.

The title, "Planning to Stay," is a statement that we need to be focused on how to have a community that our children will want to stay in to live, work and play. It is the first of its kind in the state, and the state Department of Community Affairs (the state planning agency) is encouraging us to send it to them as a model for others to use.

Steinle's column says this discussion should include the full community (or family of communities). This is true; however, our county must also continue to be more involved in the discussions around us in other communities and regional groups because we are now more affected by what they do or don't do. As they move on, we need to be with them also. We can do this as part of Planning to Stay.
-- Brian Smith, Pinellas County planning director,
Clearwater

New Wal-Mart on U.S. 19 would be boon to Palm Harbor

Re: County urged to reject U.S. 19 Wal-Mart, story, Dec. 6.

I support the new Palm Harbor Wal-Mart on U.S. 19. I watched the same plan develop in Oldsmar: on a high-traffic road, backing up to a quiet residential neighborhood. Neighbors objected; Pinellas County Planning gave pause. The project was approved with concern and is now completed and an improvement to the area.

A new store in Palm Harbor will be more convenient to the area neighborhoods. A traffic light on U.S. 19 at Cypress Pond Road could connect to Belcher Road and relieve congestion on U.S. 19. The back-street access works nicely at other locations.
-- Edward M. Porter, Palm Harbor

Nip supercenter proposal in the bud right now

Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy anything in North Pinellas because it isn't paved over, Wal-Mart steps up to the plate and proposes more concrete and changing the natural landscape to something more meaningful: suburban sprawl.

The Nov. 19 article pertaining to Wal-Mart and the Wilder Corp.'s plan to build a supercenter on U.S. 19 south of Klosterman Road enraged me. Not only is this an attack on Lake Tarpon once again by development (which has gone on for years and years), but a mockery of the residents in the area.

Why do we need a Wal-Mart -- a supercenter for that matter -- in the area when there is already a Wal-Mart within 2 miles of the proposed location and other ample shopping from Wal-Mart's competitors in the supermarket industry (Kash n' Karry, Albertsons and Publix all within driving distance of this location), as well as novelty stores that would be hurt by this one-stop-shopping mecca? What are they going to do with the Alderman Road Wal-Mart if this supercenter gets approved? Abandon it and leave us with another ugly box just sitting empty on an intersection? Don't we already have enough of those throughout the county and remainder of the bay area?

I am all for progress, I am all for responsible development, but this plan sounds ridiculous from the start. Wilder Corp. says it will pay for a traffic light on U.S. 19 and this is supposed to make me feel better?

This needs to be stopped before it starts.
-- John Fontana, Palm Harbor

Arts and crafts show's prior location was better

The Palm Harbor arts and crafts show is always a wonderful treat. I look forward to it every year.

This year I was very disappointed in the location of the show. The terrain was not very safe, with ruts in the ground, exposed long roots and lots of broken branches. I thought that this kind of terrain could be hazardous to your health, especially seniors and disabled people.

The terrain of the show in previous years, in downtown Palm Harbor, was much more stable and easy to maneuver over. After viewing the show, I was able to stroll into the shops around the show. I'm sure the small downtown businesses lost revenue because of the new location.

Next year, couldn't we go back to the former location? Sometimes, old is better!
-- Marilyn Satinoff, Palm Harbor

Pets don't always make great gifts for kids

Please, do not give a pet to your child and expect the kid to raise it. Instead, give your kid a toy, a hug and a trip to the zoo. If you must give a pet, then go to your local Humane Society.
-- Joseph F. Coughlin, Safety Harbor

Your voice counts

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