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Mayor's words cause trouble

Re: Editorial on mayor was mean-spirited, not based on facts, letter, June 23.

I was shocked at the tone of Oldsmar Mayor Jerry Beverland's response to your paper the other day. It certainly was not the carefully articulated and measured response I would expect from an intelligent individual who is being misconstrued by the public. It was a rambling, artless tirade filled with veiled threats and childish dares.

Only as a brief footnote did he address the real criticism of the editorial. I would have thought that the mayor would assure his readers that any future board appointments would be based on abilities, not prejudices. It's a very simple statement but appears nowhere in the mayor's letter.

Mayor Beverland has been a public official long enough to know that it is no cakewalk. It is often difficult and thankless. There can be intense scrutiny and quick, sometimes premature, criticism.

But it was his decision to take on those responsibilities. And it was his mouth that got him in the papers. He was the one quoted as saying prejudice might creep into the board reappointment process.

His resulting letter to the editor did nothing to assure me that it will not. I am sad to say that I find his lack of professionalism in handling this issue to be indicative of poor leadership skills. With all due respect, compassion is not just a label you stick on the front of your political affiliation.

Imagine starting your day by going out to get some minnows for fishing. By the end of the day you are in jail being accused of DUI, the church that employs you disowns you, and your family has been devastated in the process.

The Rev. Jerry Tidwell just went out to get some minnows. Even the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, after rendezvousing with a prostitute, kept his job in the church.

After everything is said and done, the Rev. Tidwell's urinalysis for drugs proved negative and the DUI was dismissed. But what does this say about the Calvary Baptist Church congregation? Were they more concerned about how the Rev. Tidwell's unfortunate circumstance reflected on them as a congregation? Did ministering to the sick not include their own pastor? Were they not able to apply the teaching that Jesus gives a second chance to all who ask for it?

He just went out for minnows.

Re: Closing "other' beach not best alternative, editorial, June 20.

Regardless of what decision is made concerning the strip of land on the Courtney Campbell Parkway, I respectfully disagree that there is any legitimate comparison between the beach along the south side of the parkway and Clearwater Beach.

Clearwater Beach provides a source of revenue for the city. It only makes sense that the city directs more attention to this well-established tourist destination.

The strip of sand on Courtney Campbell has never been part of the tourist industry and provides no revenue to the city.

The City Commission should be applauded for evaluating whether the cost of keeping the Courtney Campbell strip open is economically sound, especially in a time when budget cuts threaten important city services to our residents.

Re: Ex-mayor recalled as caring, passionate, story, June 18.

I mourn at Art Levine's passing and extend my sincere condolences to his survivors.

More than once, at town meetings, I sat between two of Safety Harbor's former movers and shakers.

One was Claude Rigsby and the other Art Levine.

Even after Levine's politicking days were over, he never ceased to stand up and express his views, concerns, etc. (Whether the incumbent town leaders heeded Art most of the time is another story.)

Remembering his earlier military career, I say to this former Lt. Col. Arthur Levine, "Sustenio Alas" (Keep 'um flying) in God's immortal air corps.