Re: Hospital in grief after chaplain dies in collision, story, March 16.
I am very angry at your incomplete story of the accident that claimed the life of Jim Graves a short distance from my home in Largo on March 14.
This day was like the official start of the madness we refer to as spring break. The traffic was unbearable and it took me more than 11/2 hours to get into Clearwater. You could not move going down West Bay Drive. The weather was very warm and the people driving had short tempers, wanting only to get quickly to the beach. You tell me what the hurry was.
People were running stop lights, yield signs, speeding down the shoulder of the road and making U-turns to try to find a faster way to the beach. The traffic was horrible the entire day, setting the stage for the accident conditions that would claim the life of this gentleman.
As I came upon the scene of this accident some 30 minutes after it happened, I was mad as hell. First, where were the police? All day while I was trying to get in and out of Clearwater, there were no law enforcement officials anywhere trying to control this traffic situation that was bordering on a riot condition. Why? What are we paying these folks for? To control these types of situations so we can safely travel up and down our roads that we have paid for with our hard-earned tax dollars.
I do not intend now to pay for the right to safely drive on the roadways with the blood of our citizens who live year-round in our community and are law-abiding, safe people that must fear for their lives everyday trying to get back and forth to work.
These people who do not abide by our laws must be taken off the road, and now! These stupid people are not drunk or on drugs. They simply know we have lost our ability to enforce the laws that we have all been thought to live by, because these are the laws of human decency. We don't speed, we don't pass in no-passing zones and we do not pull into an intersection and kill someone and tell the cops we didn't see them. We are not buying that story anymore, as too many good people have lost their lives to this lame excuse.
If our police can't control this situation, then let's fire them and get some folks in these positions who can do the job.
And we can quit worrying about any world terrorist organization ever getting us, because we are doing a fine job of killing ourselves with our inability to know how to safety operate a motor vehicle. Shame on all of us. Stupidity has taken control of our lives.
You can look forward to hearing more from me. I do not intend to sit by while more of our brothers are run down so the rest of you people can have a fun day at the beach.
-- Doug Hughes, Largo
Add Curlew Road to the list of killer raceways
Re: Demanding an end to Palm Harbor's "Deadman's Curve,' story, March 22.
As tragic as the vehicular killings on Tampa Road are, there are other locations just like Tampa Road where it is just a matter of time before someone gets killed. Curlew Road, also east of U.S. 19, has now become a raceway with long, blind eastbound curves with high walls blocking the views.
At a posted speed limit of 45 mph, one can even follow school buses at more than 55 mph there.
Drivers going west sit in the left lane the entire way from McMullen-Booth Road if they are to eventually turn south on U.S. 19, because Curlew eventually forces them to move further left and then left again. Eastbound drivers floor it from U.S. 19, oblivious of the many developments' blind exits and cars sitting in the middle trying to turn left in front of them.
It seems that the "planners" don't really think things through, doesn't it?
-- J. Dalney, Oldsmar
Beautify Coachman Park, let concerts be small and free
Re: Voters want real park of Coachman, letter, March 29.
I agree with the letter writer. Get rid of the ugly fences that have to surround the park a week before money-raising concerts are held. I believe Coachman Park is too small for these huge concerts. Hopefully, City Council members will keep their word and hold these types of concerts at the new stadium. If any concerts are to be held, they should be small and free for the public to enjoy. (Isn't that how it all started?)
And, yes, get rid of the ugly trailers and ugly portable toilets and ugly cement. Bring in the grass and flowers. Make it into a showcase so people will want to come and look it over, and enjoy the view of the Intracoastal Waterway.
The new library is so beautiful. Let's keep the surrounding area the same.
-- Janice Nierengarten, Clearwater
Clearwater council member delivers sound message
Re: Memo to Clearwater critics: Be sure to keep in touch, guest column by Hoyt Hamilton, April 1.
I say congratulations to Clearwater City Council member Hoyt Hamilton for his comments and his phone number so we can tell him about our concerns for Clearwater. It's always easy to blame others and yet ignore our own mistakes. He told it like it was.
The biggest problem I see in Clearwater (where I love living) is that the people who say they want to see the downtown revived back down every time it comes to a vote. The best proposal we had was in 2000, and I could not believe the people voted it down after the so-called Save The Bayfront people put out their fliers, right before voting day, just as they did this past March 9.
We either want downtown improved or we need to stop complaining in the meantime. We can't have it both ways. To be a city official in Clearwater must really take broad shoulders and a forgiving heart. Thanks again, Hoyt, for the message.
-- Fran Glaros, Clearwater
Indian Rocks Beach rescue crews get a hearty thanks
At about 3 a.m. March 8 I was awakened by a pain so severe that I immediately had my wife call 911. In just three minutes the Indian Rocks Beach Fire Department rescue squad arrived, and within four minutes, the 911 ambulance arrived and the crews began working as one. Their skills were apparent and amazing. It is difficult for me to express my thanks and gratitude for their work. Within a short time, I had been transported to Largo Hospital, where I had excellent treatment.
In addition to the skills and devotion to duty of the rescue workers, I must also admire the spirit of a community which supports such services as 911. Services cost money and many of us do not appreciate their value until we need them.
Believe me, I am in favor of paying for services. They kept me alive! My heartfelt thanks to the city of Indian Rocks Beach and its crews.
-- Andrew L. McIntosh, Indian Rocks Beach
Fix bridge cracks with epoxy - yeah, that's it, that's the ticket
Re: Report says causeway cracks repairable, story, March 26.
Here is the latest version of "the three greatest lies":
1. "Of course, I'll respect you in the morning."
2. "The check is in the mail."
3. "Yes, the Clearwater Memorial Causeway bridge's cracks can be repaired with a tube of epoxy."
Of course the "experts" hired by the contractor were going to say it can be repaired. I could have told you that. I'm just surprised that they didn't recommend using duct tape to repair the cracks!
-- David Kloczkowski, Safety Harbor
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