I just read the article about the man who attempted to jump off the Sunshine Skyway bridge after having tried to kill his wife by stabbing her several times.
I am absolutely appalled by your article. I'm not sure if you are complete idiots or if you are just cold-hearted and completely clueless about the reality of the situation. Did you even bother to learn the facts in this case before you wrote this article?
Your article stated that her wounds are not life-threatening. (Editor's note: The story attributed that information to sheriff's deputies.) Her condition is very life-threatening. She's been given a 50/50 chance of survival. How in the world could you make so light of what this man did to his wife in front of their children? And then, to add what a hero the sheriff's deputy is to have "saved" him from committing suicide!
I understand the Sheriff's Office's first responsibility was to get him off that bridge, regardless of what he had done; however, to lightly brush over the real crime that had taken place and put all of the importance on this "poor man" being so distraught that he tried to kill himself makes me sick and extremely angry.
The article stated that he had a criminal history including stalking and domestic battery, yet you chose to quote the officer who said, "He's a real good worker." I think it was in very poor taste for you to build up the man's character and focus on what a "great" guy he is. You might as well have said he's "a great guy, and his wife and children are completely insignificant and unimportant. As long as we saved the poor guy from killing himself, we can all sleep tonight." How could you have been so incredibly indifferent about something so serious?
If this is how your writers (and I use that term very loosely) research and write articles, I think we'd all be better off getting our news from a gossipy neighbor. There would be far more facts involved in secondhand gossip than in what I just read from your newspaper.
-- Jennifer Anderson, Clearwater
Traffic light at Innisbrook unnecessary
Re: Traffic light being installed at Innisbrook, story, May 6.
This is in response to your story about the traffic light in so-called Death Valley in Palm Harbor. Absolutely no consideration given to all the folks who live in Glen Eagles or Eagle Chase.
First, there is really no need for another traffic light, as there are not dangerously high speeds by every car as County Commission Chairman Karen Seel says. One may attain high speed but can also do that on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard or any other road. We have law officers to enforce that.
Regarding the pedestrian deaths, most if not all were as reported in the newspaper: alcohol related on the pedestrians' part, not the drivers'.
Accidents are not unusual, as they happen all up and down U.S. 19, not only in our area. If traffic lights were such a godsend, as Seel says, why are the taxpayers spending more than $100-million to rid U.S. 19 of them at Drew, Sunset and State Road 590? The article in the paper says so we can have "nonstop" driving. Nonstop is the key word here. These traffic lights, by the way, have the worst accident rating in the state, again reported in newspaper.
-- Roger Gardner, Palm Harbor
Everyone should exercise right to vote
Re: All she wanted you to do was vote, story, May 17.
I wholeheartedly concur with the philosophy of the former supervisor of elections, the late Dorothy "Dot" Ruggles. Voting most certainly is one of the most precious rights given to us. It profoundly hurts me when I learn of citizens who apathetically throw this privilege away.
During campaign 2000, I volunteered my services for the Democratic Party to help get out the vote. In the weeks just prior to the election, I called as many registered voters as I could, explaining the desperate need for each and every one of their votes. If they didn't have a ride to the polls, a driver would be provided for them.
Of the many people I phoned, there is one woman I will never forget. As I explained the reason for my call, she laughed, as though I had told her the most hilarious joke. Then she proceeded to tell me that she had no intention of voting. She adamantly told me that the election results were to be in favor of Bush. She felt that "big money" had already spoken. So, why should she bother? No matter what I said to this woman, I could not convince her otherwise.
No one person deserves to have their victory served to them on a silver platter. Every candidate needs to prove themselves to be qualified for the job, no matter who they are, where they come from and no matter how much money they have.
Believe it or not, your vote does count, so make it count. If for any reason you don't like to go to the polls or it is too much of an inconvenience for you, then by all means vote via absentee ballot. It is as easy as calling this number: (727) 464-6108. The people that you will speak to are pleasant, and all of the details are handled through the mail.
-- JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater
Story on boy granting wish was inspiring
I grew up in Florida and have read the St. Petersburg Times for as long as I can remember. I understand that it's your job to report the news to the public whether it's bad or good. It seems like lately we have had more than our fair share of bad news. The World Trade Center, terrorists, Iraq war, tensions in the Middle East and Korea, SARS, stock market, etc.
That is why I found it so refreshing reading the article written by your staff reporter Ed Quioco, With wish granted, boy returns favor. I find that type of journalism and reporting very important in these days and times, yet sadly, almost nonexistent. That is the true story of the human spirit and what we should all be doing for one another. If we would all just "pay it forward," as that young boy has done, the collective consciousness of the world just might turn a little more positive.
There are more than enough negatives in this world, and I think responsible journalism most certainly includes reporting these type of positive stories. Believe me when I tell you they have an effect on people reading your articles. I had never heard of the Children's Dream Fund or the boy featured in your article. But I was so inspired by his story and the work they do for children, I am in the process of sponsoring a child myself.
The boy in the article has started a cycle of "paying it forward." It would be nice to continue his work.
-- Stacey M. Shehorn, Safety Harbor
Good riddance to Athenian principal
Re: Athenian Academy fires its principal, story, May 20.
The parents at Athenian Academy do not know how lucky they are with the firing of their principal, Melanie Fernandez. I took my two children out of Academie Da Vinci after a year of dealing with Ms. Fernandez and her if-you-don't-like-it-you-can-leave attitude. I was part of the 25 percent enrollment that she lost in the first year of that school. Our only recourse was to present our case to the board of directors, which in her case was all of her closest buddies.
Charter schools have their place as long as the owner/operator/principal has someone to answer to. Parents, be thankful for the fact that she has to answer to someone higher than herself. It really is a blessing in disguise!
-- Lyndee Dolan, Dunedin
Your voice counts
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