As mobile home parks sell out, a way of life fades
Published July 31, 2003
Re: Mobile home owners reeling at sale, story, July 20; Time seals mobile home park's fate, story, July 16; and 25 acres a prize in beaches deal, story, July 15.
In the '60s, '70s and '80s many, many people retired to Florida and chose to live in mobile home parks. They preferred them to the cramped feeling of apartments or the outdoor work of a house. Sometimes it was a matter of economics. Mobile homes represented a way of retirement that opened new doors after years of work and raising a family. It was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in which to seek new adventures.
They had a little bit of land on which to plant flowers. They had a clubhouse for activities, craft lessons and shuffleboard. On Thanksgiving and Christmas they held a dinner so those who had no family close by wouldn't have to spend the day alone. The activities director planned bus trips to dinner theatres or places of interest around Florida - nothing grandiose or pretentious, but simple, carefree and comfortable. This was the "old Florida."
And so they grew into their 80s and 90s, content to stay in the ease and comfort of their mobile homes that brought so much warmth and happiness. Unfortunately, they don't own the land on which their homes sit.
Times change - in come the developers to build row houses (now called townhouses so they can sell for more money) and condos - wealthy people seeking to become even wealthier. Where will these elderly people move? What will happen to their mobile homes?
This is our world today - more sophisticated, more moneyed, more aloof. The "old Florida" always had a "homey" feel to it. Life seemed so simple and uncomplicated. It is a way of life never to be seen again. However, memories remain in the minds of those who experienced it, and they are richer for the gentleness of that period in Florida's history.
-- M. Taylor, Seminole
Give up futile fight for preservation
Re: Clearwater Beach library is not expendable, letter by Anne Garris, July 24.
Anne, you've been here in Clearwater far longer than my mere 42 years. Your family brought you here and you grew to love it. I chose this place for the single, simple reason that I thought it was the best place to live that I ever saw.
We both know that not a single day has passed since those faroff times that the place of our choice has not depreciated in the values that brought and kept us here. It is inconceivable that this deterioration will not proceed until what we valued is all gone - except for the water itself - and at a accelerated pace.
We're not going to slow it down, and certainly not reverse it. There's way too much money in the deterioration racket for that. The people who are behind it - the money people - care nothing for libraries, for uncrowded beaches, for friendly neighborhoods, for open gulf vistas, for oaks and pines and seashells, when compared with their bank accounts and incomes.
So you know we're going to lose. We've already lost. Give it up. Pull back into your shell, close your operculum and enjoy what's left if you can. Drop your mental comparisons with the past.
The folks who do the big-time owning around here and their minions find destruction to be profitable. In trying to stand in their way, we are simply grotesque. Some day we'll both be dead, and our replacements will have no idea what they missed. If that's our revenge, I'd rather pass it up.
-- Bud Tritschler, Clearwater
Nonsmokers value freedoms, too
Re: Smoking ban stuns VFW, other clubs, story, July 26.
No pun intended, but why doesn't our government butt out of our life?
My husband and I have never smoked, but both our fathers were chain smokers. Their deaths were not related to smoking. We both voted against that law. We saw it as the government removing another freedom of choice from its people.
What is wrong with having smoking and nonsmoking areas in restaurants? What is wrong with letting the nonsmokers decide if they wish to spend an evening at a restaurant or club with their smoking friends?
I write this not because I see this as an issue solely for veterans' clubs. I see this an an issue for all Floridians and the state's tourists.
-- Mary C. Burke, Oldsmar
Travel expenses debate just petty politics
Re: Travel bill triggers call for more oversight, story, July 13.
Your headline and article seem to be a preview of what Tarpon Springs residents are to expect as we move toward another election. How ludicrous is the questioning of commissioners' travel expenses, and from some questioners who previously served and never questioned the city's costly litigation nor past overrun expenditures on city projects.
It appears from the article that the city staff - i.e. the city manager and the purchasing director - was cognizant of the expenses and determined the funds were well spent in reaping grants for the city.
In any professional job, one must keep abreast of trends and develop a network of people with similar interests and duties so they can assist one another. Attendance at seminars, conferences and boards enhances the individual and, more importantly, gives credence to the organization that the person represents.
Good for Tarpon Springs that we have such an individual as (former city commissioner) Beverley Billiris representing us. I am sure with her exposure to new ideas, legislation and people, we have benefitted. Tarpon is no longer seen as a parochial little town, meeting in coffee shops and talking about how to stir the pot.
I've been impressed with Beverley Billiris' dedicated service as a commissioner and I appreciate the knowledge she has brought to the city through her travels, meetings and contacts. She has, indeed, been a fine "ambassador to the world," as your article stated. She is articulate, well read on the issues and willing to listen to all sides before making an objective decision.
-- Gloria S. Hope, Tarpon Springs
Firefighters risk their lives to help us
Re: Firefighters expect some understanding from city, letter by Michael Aleksa, July 22.
Thank you, Michael. That was a beautiful letter you wrote.
How soon we forget it is the firefighter who puts his life on the line every time a siren goes off. It takes a special kind of person who can do the job they do (police officers also). For the majority of people, it is natural to run from a dangerous situation. These special people put fear of losing their own life aside to save a stranger. The least we can do is to compensate them for all their hard work. These are the people we call when we are in trouble and thank God they are there for us. Let's treat them fairly.
-- Sylvia Campbell, Largo
Smoking ban, construction hurt business
As a business owner in the greater Clearwater area, I am very concerned with the outcome of recent events in my area of business.
On Sept. 11, I mourned the loss of countless Americans and colleagues in private and corporate business. This single act cost me a great deal of income because I lost customers who would normally be coming to the area from far-away places. The loss of tourism cut, by my accounting, approximately 40 percent of my gross income. Doing my best to overcome those trials, I began to advertise in local papers to try to offset losses by running specials and cutting prices as much as 25 percent.
Shortly after this turmoil, the state of Florida decided to do a beautification project on the road that runs directly in front of my place of business (Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard) in order to open another road to handle more traffic. I have only seen another upset for my business, because my customers now have to go three blocks out of their way to make a U-turn to reach my parking lot.
Allow me to add one more of my problems: No smoking. Because of this new law saying patrons are not allowed to smoke in restaurants, customers who are regulars are leaving earlier or not showing up as frequently. They decide not to order pie or cake after dinner. This is another problem for the income of my business.
Am I to take the word of the community to enforce this law in my place of business when the state has not sent me any letter of direction or exemptions? What are the repercussions (of not enforcing) - fines, etc.?
I am very frustrated that just the latter two decisions have cost me a great loss. Everyone says you can't fight city hall.
In my opinion, if the government can make these decisions that affect my business and income, then somehow the government needs to make provisions to compensate me and other business owners for our losses due to their decisions - grants, low-interest loans, etc.
After all, we are the community that pays our taxes and generates the income for them to run their infrastructure.
-- George Poulas, Palm Harbor
Your voice counts
We invite readers to write letters for publication. Address them to Letters to the Editor, the Times, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Or you may fax them to 727 445-4119, or e-mail tonpletters@sptimes.com E-mail letters must be text only and cannot include attachments.
Letters should be brief and must include the writer's name, city of residence, mailing address and phone number. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published.
Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be printed.
