Re: Neighbors, friends light up Christmas season for ill man, by Andrew Meacham, Dec. 17.
I was truly touched by the thoughtful neighbors who put up Christmas decorations for a man who has cancer and was too sick to do it himself. Kind people who reach out to others make for wonderful neighbors. I wish I had more such neighbors in my area.
Noticeble niceness is very obvious in a neighborhood as is unfriendliness or insensitivity. Would it not be grand if kindness were rekindled throughout America? If only every act of kindness or decency could melt every cold heart and mold them into new warm ones. It warms the heart during the holiday season when exemplary kindheartedness is manifested anywhere.
-- Robert B. Fleming, St. Petersburg
Our greetings can reflect beliefs
It's that time of year again when the hustle and bustle of secularism overshadows the real reason for the season.
In a time when one has to be ever so careful to use politically correct terminology so as not to offend anyone, we hear people wishing one another "Happy holidays" or "Season's greetings." Indeed, there must be something magical about this season, as even the nonbeliever gets in on the holiday celebration by decorating evergreens and stringing lights and garland as they obviously recognize some significance to this particular time of year.
For me and my house of a particular faith, however, we prefer to see the significance of this time of year for what it is and always will be: Christmas!
And while there may be diverse ideas among people for this joyous season, there is one thing we can all wish one another, particularly these days: "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
-- Len Vivolo, Clearwater
Living in St. Petersburg: Is it worth it?
I recently received correspondence from my mortgage company. I naively thought, "How nice, it must be a Christmas card from them thanking me for my timely payment." (Only 28 more years to go now!) Instead, it was a nasty letter stating that my house had recently been put into a "flood zone area" and that flood insurance would be required within 45 days at my expense. It sure would have been nice to hear something about this from the county first. Merry Christmas, homeowner, what a nice surprise.
Let's see . . . now for my modest 1,528 square-foot house in the Tyrone area (1969 vintage), I am paying $2,600 in property taxes, $800 in homeowner's insurance and a proposed $900 a year in flood insurance. This will be more than double the taxes and insurance paid by the former owners of my house just two years ago.
So when I hear about recent significant rate hikes in electricity, water and phone service as well, I start to wonder, "Am I living in San Francisco or St. Petersburg?" As I ponder these rising costs of home ownership, it sure makes apartment living look more and more attractive. Sure, it's nice having a home in St. Petersburg, but is it really worth it?
-- Brett Hayman, St. Petersburg
[Last modified December 24, 2003, 01:16:08]
