Re: County aims for more ramps and parking, May 28.
The story talks about the need for more boat ramps and parking at existing ramps. As an avid boater and lifetime resident, I will say we could have better ramp facilities. But, as local knowledge dictates, if you work it right, there is never a problem.
My boating experiences started at age 6, in a Sears aluminum rowboat. My dad had a little kicker engine he would put on it when he came with us. That was my early motorized experience. Through the years, I have had sailboats, runabouts, ski boats, jet skis and canoes. Just like learning anything, it is important to start at the beginning.
With modern times these learning phases are often shortened or absent altogether.
My guess is that the modern model of a new-boat buyer has had no boating experience. They have seen the commercials and have a few hundred a month to burn.
I can launch my 18-foot skiff in one minute and have my car parked and my boat out of the next ramp-user's way in another two. Can the other boaters out there do the same?
The biggest problem I encounter at any ramp is the lack of technique and skill to quickly launch or trailer a boat. The experience at these facilities would be entirely different if the users would practice. It always seems that the busier the day, the slower the rate of ramp transfer from one user to the next.
The waterways are already getting out of control (actually they have been for some time), more ramps and parking for more inexperienced boaters is the last thing we need.
-- Jason LaCroix, St. Petersburg
Supercenters are visual pollution
I recently drove past the WalMart Supercenter on U.S. 19, north of Gandy, in Pinellas Park.
It is truly an eyesore.
The stretch of U.S. 19 (34th Street S) between 30th and 38th avenues S is the last semblance of green park between Clearwater and the Sunshine Skyway. It is abutted by the Ceridian and SPC/Allstate campuses and the historic St. Batholomew's Church. Even the Bank of America branch and Ramada Motel are tolerable because they are small scale.
Pinellas County Commission members should vote against WalMart building a Supercenter in this location. There is no way these stores can be anything but an overwhelming monstrosity. No amount of buffering - short of a dense forest a hundred yards deep - can hide that fact.
Furthermore, these stores have a history of moving away when tax benefits have been depleted in a few years' time. We are then left with an eyesore made worse by being abandoned and empty.
Commission members should do their part to hold the line against 100 percent visual pollution of U.S. 19 through our city.
-- Thomas 0. Ziebold, St. Petersburg
Everyone should exercise right to vote
Re: For her love of voting, 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 right 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
What about nonsmokers' rights?
Re: Smokers aren't second-class citizens, letter, May 17.
This letter caught my attention. Smokers may not be second-class citizens, but when they blow their stinky smoke and foul the air that I have to breathe, they can't really be very high class.
Most restaurants separate the smoking area from the nonsmoking area, but the smoke drifts into the nonsmoking area anyway unless they have separate rooms. And often, we have to walk through the smoking area to get to the nonsmoking area.
The letter writer complains that his civil rights are being taken away. I'm curious to know where in the book of civil rights it says that he has the right to smoke anywhere, even outside of his home, if he takes away my ability to breathe air free of the foul stench of cigarette, cigar and pipe smoke.
Smokers don't realize how far their foul smoke carries, even outside.
-- Bob Cooper, Seminole
Jessica's story was an inspiration
Re: Sense for success, by Janel Stephens, May 18.
This article was striking in its specificity. The point at issue is a girl who had severely impaired vision all her life and, in spite of this developmental disability, she is a top student who will soon graduate from high school and will be attending college.
There are people who have made a profound and positive difference in Jessica Tomlinson's life. Devoted parents, specialists who taught her tactile skills - and especially Joan Finn, who taught Jessica Braille and the use of audio equipment to assist her. And what should not escape notice is that Jessica never let her spirit become subdued, which is an inspiration to folks of all ages who wish to better themselves.
It's wonderful that this girl found the empowerment and encouragement to accept herself and to believe in her capabilities for a happy and promising future. Truly, Jessica is a testimonial example of human potential and personal effectiveness when you apply yourself. It appears that the seemingly impossible is but the next step for a determined spirit.
-- Robert B. Fleming, St. Petersburg
[Last modified June 1, 2003, 02:05:26]
