Re: Interfaith breakfast to live up to its name this year, story, May 2.
Largo Mayor Bob Jackson deserves a lot of credit for attempting to convert the annual event known as the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast from a purely "Christian event" to an interfaith event celebrating Largo's diversity.
His effort would be seen as more significant had he not followed the city's precedent of holding the event on the day scheduled by the National Day of Prayer Task Force, headed by Shirley Dobson. Mrs. Dobson is the wife of Dr. James C. Dobson, head of the largest Protestant evangelist organization in the country, Focus on the Family.
In a foreword to the National Day of Prayer 2004 Resource Guide, Mrs. Dobson quotes Christian scripture and proclaims, "Through God's grace and the power of prayer, we're confident our nation can be transformed. Let's ask God to bring about a new day when the majority of government leaders and officials give priority to seeking His counsel..."
Further in the booklet, there is "Answers to Common Questions."
In response to the question, "Why don't you include other faiths in your events?" is the following: "The National Day of Prayer was created by an act of Congress and is therefore intended for all peoples of faith to pray to the God of their understanding. However, the NDP Task Force operates under the authority of an independent, religious 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Like any other 501(c)(3) religious, non-profit entity, the Task Force organizes and promotes events that are consistent with its own religious traditions and beliefs."
While the National Day of Prayer was instituted by a congressional resolution and its annual date fixed by a presidential proclamation, the Task Force fails to mention that the event has been preempted and promoted as its own by evangelical Christian groups.
We note that the "resources" listed in the "Resource Guide" are some 23 materials ranging from posters and lapel pins to postcards, coloring books, CDs and videos for purchase. These include "Jesus is alive! Coloring Book," "10 Commandments Family Nights Tool Chest," etc.
Mr. Mayor, may I respectfully suggest that your Interfaith Prayer Breakfast would have greater credibility if it were held on a date other than May 6?
-- Sidney M. Goetz, Gulfport
Coachman school excellence merits its own story in paper
I am writing in reference to the recent release of FCAT scores for schools in Florida. Pride and admiration for a particular school inclined me to write. This school has been consistently overlooked for its dedication to highest student achievement, generosity and overall excellence in light of all the problems with our educational system. This school is Coachman Fundamental Middle School in Clearwater.
Over the past few years, Coachman has been in the top 1 to 5 percent of schools on the FCAT. This year we were the top performing middle school in the county on the writing section and fifth in the state. The only schools to outperform Coachman were schools for the gifted. This is an amazing accomplishment, in that Coachman is a regular public middle school. Coachman has a varied student population that reflects our community. Coachman does not select its students; our students and their families select Coachman.
It is true the fundamental school places emphasis on academics and parental involvement, which is the reason it performs and makes a real difference to those who attend it.
Another aspect of Coachman that has gone unnoticed is that each year it has earned recognition status (an "A" school), it has reinvested all of the money back into the school. This means teachers have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve the facilities, resources and the school's overall well-being. With teachers' pay as low as it is, with failed attempts at salary increases and with budget cuts, this money has been given back to the school by the teachers who earned the bonuses to improve the quality of their school. This is not only a noble and honorable act, but also shows their commitment.
Through it all Coachman has existed with relatively little fanfare and public recognition even though it represents what is right about public education. Please consider doing an article or even an editorial on this outstanding school. The public deserves to know about the tremendous efforts and the outstanding achievements of its teachers, students and parents.
-- Thomas J. Brown, St. Petersburg
Newspaper missing the good side of Clearwater High School
Some time ago you printed an article on the problems at Clearwater High School. I attended the awards ceremony held at Clearwater High School recently . Many students excelled in miscellaneous categories. You should have been there to write about these fine, wonderful students.
Yes, I realize schools have problems (and they all do) but there are many students who deserve a pat on the back for their efforts.
I want to thank those students and teachers for a wonderful evening. They truly earned a place in your paper to offset that very negative article you previously wrote. There are two sides to a story. Your paper missed a really good chance to see the good side.
-- Marlene Bedford, Clearwater
Good that commissioner now knows of pedestrian dangers
Re: Signs signal change on Tampa Road, story, April 14.
County Commission Chairman Susan Latvala's comment in this story was, in part, "I went out there and it absolutely scared me to death." What did she think it should have done?
With her comments in mind, why are we still building sidewalks on U.S. 19 where the speed limit is higher than on Tampa Road? Tampa road has curbs. U.S. 19 in Palm Harbor does not. At some points the sidewalk is within 5 feet of U.S. 19!
At some intersections where U.S. 19 and a side street intersect, the sidewalk curves closer to U.S. 19. I would have thought that at the intersections, the sidewalk would curve away from U.S. 19, giving a driver additional time to see a pedestrian.
It was about time that a county commissioner learned it was not safe to walk near major thoroughfares. Most other residents know to stay away from them, as can be seen by taking a ride on U.S. 19. You don't need to count the number of people walking, because there aren't any!
-- Tom Kulaga, Palm Harbor
Let citizens vote on whether to treat their water with fluoride
The citizens of Clearwater must be given the opportunity to vote on the fluoridation issue. Fluoride may not be as safe and benign as the council members would like us to believe.
Scientific studies have shown elevated levels of lead in children living in an area with the same chemical mixture the commissioners intend to foist off on us.
Fluoride may be beneficial to teeth. I brush with fluoride toothpaste. I do so by choice. Yet I do not want to bathe in fluoridated water, wash my dishes in it, expose my kids to it day in and day out, with no say in the matter, no choice.
It is an outrage to think that the council members would take this action without a vote.
-- Doyle Mills, Clearwater
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