Letters to the Editors

Apartment project won't be limited to seniors

The Harbor Oaks I Homeowners Association opposes the proposed low-income apartment complex near Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital because we fear the restriction limiting the housing to seniors can be too easily circumvented.

Of the 160 proposed units, 80 are designed as two-bedroom. No more than two people can be assigned to a bedroom under the relevant law, but there is nothing to prevent those bedrooms from being occupied by people between the ages of 18 and 55. Relevant law also has a 20 percent allowance for those under 55. Thus, as many as 192 renters could be ages 18 to 25.

This would change the entire nature of the housing. The failure to address ways to make sure the proposed senior housing remains senior housing before a lease was signed was an error that could come back to haunt the taxpayers of Tarpon Springs.

The developer or the city commissioners should reduce the number of two-bedroom apartments to no more than half of the original proposal. This would protect the seniors that sign up for Savannah Cove and reduce the problems caused by the current potential for high density.

We are not opposed to senior housing; we are opposed to housing that only pretends to be senior housing.
-- Martin D. Peters Jr., president Harbor Oaks I Homeowners Association, Tarpon Springs

Ignorance of the law is no defense

Re: Renters in residential areas of Clearwater Beach.

There are zoning laws in the city of Clearwater and any owner of any property has the responsibility of knowing what can be done with the property and how it can be used. Never have residential areas been zoned motel/hotel, for a very definite reason.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking the law. Shame on our city for not enforcing laws on the books. The commissioners have allowed these investors up to 18 months to continue breaking the law while the problem is "resolved." Since when do we resolve conflict over the law by ignoring it?
-- Doris Sampson, Clearwater

Contract talks deserve investigation

As the wife of a Clearwater firefighter, I appreciate all the letters of support published in the paper. It is a difficult, yet rewarding job (being a firefighter and being a family member).

I would like to ask that the Times investigate a little further the claim of the city that the union is leaving out a part of the proposal. It is true that the firefighters are not mentioning the longevity raises (referred to as "step raises" by the firefighters). I think that is for two reasons. One is that not everyone gets them every year. They are given at different points along the career and get farther apart the longer someone is employed.

The other reason is that this is not new and has been in prior contracts, including the one that expired in October 2002. The city is making it sound as if they are going an extra mile with this longevity-based increase. In the beginning of contract negotiations, they took this benefit away and are now making a big deal about giving back something the firefighters already had.

I am certainly biased in my opinion of this issue -- we could really use a decent raise this year! But I would hope that with the resources at the Times, we could paint a clearer picture of the situation. The opportunity to hand out flyers and meet the very supportive citizens of Clearwater was a blessing amid a very stressful situation.
-- Sherri Willms, Dunedin

Former commissioner continues actions

We had hoped after the heat of the Largo election things in Largo would get back to the norm. Well, be careful what you wish because they are back. Marty Shelby is flinging cow chips into the wind. These are the rantings of a person who has failed to achieve his goal of being mayor.

Perhaps if Marty had stuck to the facts and not dropped below the line into the mud, had not littered the field with wild accusations, he would have come closer to being elected.

Mayor Bob (Jackson) and I do not see eye to eye on every issue, but I'm at ease with his competency.
-- Marie F. Hoke-Singer, Largo

Learn to accept jet noise

Re: Plane traffic at airport good, but not at 5 a.m., letter, March 30.

I read this letter with more than just passing interest, some amusement and a little sympathy. Air traffic, whether commercial or military, does not lend itself well to adhering to strict departure-arrival schedules, especially in these traumatic times. ("If you have time to spare, go by air.")

Also, jets are noisier on takeoffs than on landings, because this is when they cannot prudently spare the horses, since takeoffs require maximum thrust (power) to become more quickly and safely up and away.

Besides, I find the brawny roar of big jets calming and soothing. On the other hand, the nagging, buzzing sound of mosquitoes flying in squadron strength can, at times, almost drive me to distraction!

Finally, we human beings can amazingly adapt ourselves to quite a bit of temporary irritation, given the motivation (desire) to accept change simply as a way of life.
-- Joseph P. Corell, Safety Harbor

U.S. 19 needs better markings

We were favorably impressed when we went to the Ringling Museum some weeks ago. To start with, the drive was very nice, even if we were not familiar with St. Petersburg and the changes to be made leaving Clearwater.

What really amazed us was that when we went through Bradenton and parts of Sarasota, every cross street was clearly marked with a sign in the middle of the street or on a corner. Before a traffic light, there was also a sign indicating "Next signal, such-and-such street or avenue," and every building, business or home had its street number clearly marked. And this was on U.S. 41! So why can't we have the same in Pinellas County?

U.S. 19 is a mess, although construction is almost finished north of State Road 580. But still, few buildings, offices and shopping centers have their street numbers clearly marked and visible. Why is this not being enforced? Even at 45 miles per hour, try to find an address, unless someone else is driving -- and even so, at times you can't find a number anywhere. The Rand McNally Road Atlas helps, but sometimes it gives you the "100 number" only at main intersections.

Maybe U.S. 41 has more priority than U.S. 19 because the area north of State Road 54 in Land O'Lakes is equally marked as in Bradenton.
-- Irene M. La Paz, Clearwater

Support Homeless Emergency Project

People ask, "Why do you do fundraising for the homeless? Why don't you just tell them to get a job?"

Well, there are many reasons why people are homeless -- the small percentage by choice, the rest are victims of circumstances. For the larger group, there is the Homeless Emergency Project, or HEP. People who know of it see the great work HEP does to assist those who are unfortunate and help them to get back into society and become productive.

HEP is the dream come true for the Rev. Otis Green. As a child growing up on a farm when things were really tough, his mother opened the door to her kitchen and never turned away anyone who was hungry. Otis continued his mother's good deeds from the time he was young until today.

Raising money for HEP is not like raising money for the more "glamorous" organizations, but the need is just as great. Out of every dollar raised, a very small percentage goes to administrative costs. In fact, the Rev. Green has supported himself by doing construction work and has never taken a salary from HEP. Most of the people who work there are volunteers who are happy doing their share to keep people off the streets and to give them the help they need to become self-sufficient again. HEP is grateful for all the volunteers and for the assistance it receives from the community.

I just wanted the rest of the community to realize what HEP has done to make us proud of where we live. I also want people to know that there are still people who care for the lost and the hungry. From the Rev. Green's humble beginnings until today, he and his wife, Barbara, are there to help because they want to and not because they are looking for a luxurious lifestyle at the behest of the poor.

We are all living in a world full of skepticism, but HEP brings us back to our old-fashioned beliefs. I am proud to be one of their volunteers.
-- Jean Zaralban, Clearwater

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