Re: Driver, 21, charged in U.S. 19 collision, story, June 10, and Three hurt in road race gone bad, story, June 9.
Thank God no one was killed. My condolences to the innocent bystanders who were injured or had property damaged. How anyone could or would try to race on U.S. 19 north of Nebraska Avenue is beyond me.
There is a time and place for everything, but this driver's record would suggest that he lacks the judgment to discern this.
It surprises me that, without insurance, this guy was still driving. Maybe it shouldn't surprise me. We occasionally read about the horrific driver who keeps driving despite ample evidence that he is incapable of doing so safely. A string of tickets marks his path. We usually read about these drivers after they've killed someone else.
I wish there was a way to get them off the road. Loss of insurance or license suffices for most. These guys keep driving without.
Significant jail time sounds very attractive after an accident like this. Or is it an incident? How can someone with such horrendous judgment claim as "accident" what most of us would have called "inevitable"?
-- Philipp Michel "Mike" Reichold, Largo
Law enforcement needs to keep tabs on problematic drivers
Re: Driver, 21, charged in U.S. 19 collision, story, June 10, and Three hurt in road race gone bad, story, June 9.
Where are the law enforcement agencies when a man with 15 violations in six years and no insurance is permitted to retain a drivers license and registration for his car?
-- Michael Porter, Clearwater
Importance of human life should be held in higher regard
Re: Three hurt in road race gone bad, story, June 9.
Wow, the drivers that caused the accident likely face "several traffic violations." I'm continually amazed at our acceptance of flagrant disregard for human life by certain segments of our society. Further evidence that it's not the roads that are dangerous, it's the idiots using the roads that are dangerous.
-- Paul Bulson, Palm Harbor
Although for the fluoride plan, commissioners' proof not solid
Re: Health agencies offer solid support on fluoridation, letter by Pick Talley, June 10.
Why is it so hard for the county commissioners to answer this question: Where is the scientific research to back up the safety of ingesting hydrofluorosilicic acid (fluoride)?
Pinellas County Utilities director Pick Talley wrote a remarkable letter to you claiming lots of government agencies support fluoride (and at the end referred people to them if they have any questions).
Pinellas County Commission Chairwoman Susan Latvala claims this is the same fluoride already naturally occurring in water. Pinellas County Health Department director Dr. John Heilman says there are no known studies - but why wait for them to come out, we just know it's safe.
Now the president (and all the commissioners) of the Upper Pinellas County Dental Association have called the people who are asking this question "uneducated." Why, if they can't produce the research to back up the safety, are they making all of us ingest this? Why are they resorting to third-grade name calling because they've been caught in a lie?
Just answer the question. And if you can't, then get it out of our water until you can!
My four children should not be their guinea pigs.
-- Tammy Cihak, Palm Harbor
Director's fluoride statements don't match "facts' on Web site
Re: Health agencies offer solid support on fluoridation, letter by Pick Talley, June 10.
Pick Talley, director of Pinellas County Utilities, wrote in his letter to the editor June 10, "There are a number of misunderstandings among those who have written in opposition [to fluoridation]." He stated: "We cannot find any record of a referendum for Pinellas County Utilities on the issue of fluoridation of the county water supply." He fails to say that this "misunderstanding" was created by Talley himself.
Last year, Talley's Pinellas County Utilities Web site had this Frequently Asked Question: "Is there fluoride in the water?" He answered, in part, "In 1976 Pinellas County citizens voted against a referendum concerning the addition of fluoride to our drinking water. Addition of fluoride would increase the cost of water significantly and fluoride is only needed in drinking water, not in water for other household uses or for irrigation."
Talley says the county does no original research but "relies on the advice of experts." For the health of all of us, I hope he checks this advice better than he did the "facts" that appeared on his Web site.
I challenge Talley to review the information on www.AquaSafe.us a Web site produced by knowledgeable, concerned citizens.
Talley and the Board of County Commissioners wonder why there is skepticism and concern about the motives behind Pinellas fluoridation. Could it be that those who should know don't know? Couple that with the BCC's decision not to let the voters choose, and I, for one, smell a stink in our water.
-- David Plyer, Clearwater
Officials' special interests more important than average citizen
Re: City Hall starts again in earning trust, story, June 10.
City of Clearwater officials are not really interested in what the citizens of this town think. They are only interested in getting whatever they (the city officials) want.
They have been told not once, but twice, what the residents think. How many times does it take to know? The city leadership continues to ignore the majority of residents while catering to more powerful special interest groups: the Phillies, developers and those of the L. Ron Hubbard persuasion.
Maybe one day the average citizen will be represented by elected officials, as they once were in the days of Bob Weatherly, Darwin Frank and Gabe Casares.
-- Harold Vick, Clearwater
The Largo Golf Course is better than some may be led to believe
Re: Largo golf course scores financial bogey, story, May 28.
Just by chance a friend gave me this article concerning the Largo Golf Course, and I'm writing in its defense.
Largo Commissioner Harriett Crozier plays once a week from April through September, the most difficult period for the course weather-wise with the extreme heat and irregular rainfall. No amount of watering can compensate for a good rain, and I admit right now the greens and tees aren't looking too great.
However, I play with the Wednesday Women's League from late September through May and at least a second time each week. Along with many other winter residents, I find the course is very well kept and much better than several similar semiprivate courses in the area.
In addition, the staff is friendly, helpful and competent, the pro shop has what I need and the fees are very fair. The ladies room is well cared for and the parking facilities are excellent. I know I speak for many others who enjoy the Largo Golf Course.
