Complaints and vandalism greet a holiday light show intended to raise money for charity.
By ANNE LINDBERG
Published December 14, 2003
PINELLAS PARK - A light display meant to celebrate the holiday season and raise money for charity instead has inspired complaints and even vandalism by some local grinches.
Some residents say the generators that run the lights nightly at Helen Howarth Park are noisy, smelly and too close to the playground.
In an apparent effort to stop the show, dog feces were smeared on the generator handles. Wires have been cut and bulbs removed.
Another person stood along the route, greeting visitors with an obscene finger gesture.
Yet another - a member of the city's equestrian board - allegedly complained about the display's encroachment on the horse trail.
That last bit of pique provoked Marshall Cook, also a member of the equestrian board, who chastised the riders as trespassers and praised the light display in a burst of e-mails to county commissioners on up to President Bush.
Missing amid the hubbub is the kind of neighborhood buzz that drives attendance.
About 400 cars, one bus and one limousine have visited the light show. Compare that to the county's display at nearby Lake Seminole Park where more than 7,000 cars have passed by.
The low head count is bad news for some Pinellas Park charities, which are supposed to receive 40 percent of the profits once the company that owns the lights covers its costs of about $20,000. The company is supposed to get the rest.
"We're just not on Park Boulevard like Lake Seminole is," said Pinellas Park spokesman Tim Caddell. Helen Howarth is on 94th Avenue N just east of 66th Street.
"Timing is everything. If the county hadn't decided to do one at the same time, we'd probably be doing very well. It turns out it is a good idea."
Part of the problem, he said, is the confusion between the two displays. Many people think they've seen the Pinellas Park display when, in fact, they've seen the county lights.
But Caddell said the city got its first busload of folks last week and time is on the city's side: 22 nights to go before the display closes Jan. 4.
Caddell also said early complaints about the noise and fumes from the diesel generators have tapered off. The vandalism seems to have stopped.
But Cook, a familiar face at government meetings, is still peeved at the equestrian community.
When a rider allegedly complained that a portion of the trail was detoured to get around the lights, Cook took exception: "The horse people think that nobody is allowed to use anything in that park where the horses are."
Cook took his campaign to the computer, sending e-mails to President Bush, his brother Jeb, the governor, local officials, media outlets, the American Civil Liberties Union and others.
He warned riders to stay off the trail where the lights are.
When they ignored him, Cook said, he got his "night vision" camera to take pictures of riders he thinks are breaking the rules.
He asked police to ticket trespassing riders. The police refused, but Caddell said officers spoke to the riders.
Now Cook plans to ask for resignations at Wednesday's equestrian board meeting, saying board members should support city endeavors rather than complain about them.
"I'm trying to keep the peace," Cook said. "I believe in the light fest. . . .You've got some people who just don't like anything. This is for charity. It's a worthwhile project."
Lynn Smith, an equestrian board member, on Monday sent her own e-mail to the mayor, City Council members, city manager, police chief and other city officials.
"I just heard yesterday about the incident at Helen Howarth Park," Smith wrote.
"I am appalled that anyone, let alone one of our board members, would be so rude. I humbly apologize and can assure you that this matter will be addressed at our next meeting.
"Please understand that the equestrian board as a whole is supportive of the city's efforts and we all appreciate the support you have given us."
If you go
Pinellas Park is holding a light fest to benefit charity, 6-9 p.m. weekdays and 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 4 at Helen Howarth Park, 6301 94th Ave. N. Cost is $10 per car and $25 per busload. For information, call Tim Caddell, 541-0721.
