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I would like to thank the Pinellas County commissioners for their leadership on the issue of fluoridation for our county's water. As we have seen in thousands of communities across the nation, the long-term health benefits of this decision are significant and will be appreciated for generations.
As with any decision to do the right thing, predictably, there will always be a small group of dissenters to nip at one's heels. I want the commissioners to rest assured that the volumes of credible scientific studies and professional endorsements (from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the American Dental Association and the American Medical Association, to name a few), as well as decades of community success stories around the world, will easily support their stand.
On behalf of my family (we are Pinellas County residents) and my patients, I applaud their efforts to make our community that much greater.
Re: Tough transition at two churches: young mover, shaker, alienator, May 23.
Waveney Ann Moore began her article on Suncoast Cathedral and Pastor Deon Lett with: "When it was time for Suncoast Cathedral to hire a new pastor, leaders of the Assemblies of God church wanted a young one to shake things up."
"Their dream, or nightmare, depending on who is speaking, came true," continued Moore. She then quoted only negative comments from former and current church members.
I was personally struck with what appears to be Moore's lack of journalistic objectivity.
No matter what type of organization we are examining, there is usually a group within who will not readily accept change. Because of disagreement with the new leadership, they will seek out new jobs, a different store or, in this case, another place of worship.
I have no quarrel with the writer who chose to report on the "... dozen or so people... [who] gathered in a St. Petersburg home to air their complaints about Lett." While I do not agree with what those congregants had to say, I strongly agree with their right to say whatever it is they wish. That is the right of every American.
My concern is that the reporter did not give an equal opportunity for a St. Petersburg home filled with enthusiastic congregants to air their support of the Letts. I would ask you, in an effort to be balanced in your reporting practices, to come and speak to some of us who support Pastor Deon and Carmen Lett. With an estimated attendance of 850 people each week, surely it won't be hard to find "a dozen or so."
As most Treasure Island residents, I was disappointed to hear that Chuck Coward was resigning his position as city manager.
Admittedly, I don't understand all the details of the politics that were instrumental in determining Mr. Coward's decision. What I do know is that most people who are not self-employed will, throughout their careers, encounter adverse conditions, whether they are with working environments, management, subordinates or other factions of their employ.
In this respect my second disappointment was that Mr. Coward did not have the tenacity to stay the course. Based on his years of professional experience, I thought he would have taken this challenge in stride. I guess the old adage, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going," didn't apply in this instance.
I have long suspected that our tax dollars are not necessarily spent in the wisest manner. A recent experience confirms my judgment.
I live across the street from the 12th fairway of the golf course at the St. Petersburg Country Club. Alongside the street there is a ditch, normally having 8 to 10 inches of water in it. We are accustomed to seeing city vehicles cutting the weeds in the ditch. The other day, four vehicles pulled up at about 9 a.m., loaded with workers. Said workers stood around and did nothing for over an hour. Finally another vehicle led two of them away, only to return an hour later. Workers stood around for another hour.
Ultimately, 16 people were gathered at the side of the ditch. Nine of the people gathered did absolutely nothing whatsoever. They simply stood around. It was apparent that several of these individuals were "supervisors." To cut weeds?
I am currently unemployed. I spend an average of six hours a day trying to find a job - any job, just to bring something into the household. To see people with a job wasting our money is abhorrent to me. So I went over to the obvious supervisor (wearing a white shirt and smoking a cigarette) to ask why it requires 16 people to do a job that I could easily do alone in a day - to be informed that it takes this many people for this job.
Imagine that - it takes 14 workers and two supervisors, over a period of a full day, to start a weed trimmer (I actually watched a worker have a second person start his/her trimmer) - to cut the weeds in a ditch that runs one block.
And we wonder why it is so expensive to live in St. Petersburg?
We visited the Florida Aquarium last week. For those of us who haven't paid much attention to that place in many years, we found it be shockingly interesting! The new exhibits are very well thought-out, especially the "touch a manta ray" and the closeup display of busy roseate spoonbills and giant blue heron nearly 5 feet tall. The large coral reef with its colorful fish may be enjoyed easily with the addition of seating and rocking chairs and soft music. The display with sea monsters is stupendous.
The addition of a "kiddies" area, with a wading pool and a pirate ship with its only entry a woven gangplank of rope is a sight to see on a hot afternoon.
All this, with a lunch room, the Cafe Ray, offering a varied menu of food to be eaten inside or outside under the cool thatched roof.
Moored at the rear of the building is the World War II ship American Victory, now being renovated and open for tours.
We noticed a plaque thanking donors. Perhaps it might be nice for some of you to venture across the bridges and visit and see what you paid for . . . you will be pleased.
Betty L. Westra, Pinellas Park
RID - Remove Intoxicated Drivers - would like to say thanks for a job well done.
On Memorial Day weekend, while our citizens were honoring the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom so we could enjoy barbecues and going to special events, our police officers, state troopers and sheriff's deputies were working to keep our roads safe.
Lots of citations were given out, but most important, there were no fatalities.