With each project glowingly presented by the powers that be at Clearwater City Hall, the ever hopeful taxpayers of Clearwater have awaited the final product, only to realize that the end result was not quite what was promised.
Recently, several letters to the editor have listed these projects, usually beginning with the Clearwater Beach roundabout followed by the Cleveland Street lake and park, which is obscured by mounds of weeds and debris and is adjacent to the tacky townhouses, which should be obscured.
The list continues with the inconvenient parking at the new stadium and the inadequate parking at the new library, which has a gorgeous view of the waterfront park that is frequently marred by a line of portable toilets and chain-link fence.
And the list concludes with the unfinished, precarious span on the Memorial Causeway. Eighteen-million dollars of Penny for Pinellas money that should have been used for Clearwater's infrastructure is dangling over the water.
But these less than perfect projects did not deter a large group of officials and citizens from spending $20,000 from the general fund unappropriated retained earnings to promote Clearwater for an All-American City award. Perhaps next year they can tout "Beach Designed by Mack and Cheezem" and the Hamiltons' South Beach Pavilion. But the presentation should be accompanied by a soundtrack of the Sonny and Cher favorite And the Beat Goes On.
-- Patricia Bates Smith, Clearwater
Contents aside, new library a sight to see
Dr. Helen Dexter and I recently went to see the Asian elephant paintings at the new Clearwater Main Library. The paintings are fabulous, but we were totally delighted with our library.
This building is such a fine example of what a library should be: bright, airy, gorgeous views of the Intracoastal Waterway, great kids' space. It just beckons one to come and spend time.
As a resident of Clearwater Beach, it has even made me forgive the travesties of the roundabout and the new bridge.
Clearwater residents, plan a visit and prepare to be proud
-- Jev Wehe, Clearwater
Do like Dunedin: Let sheriff police Largo
In reference to the recent articles about the morale at the Largo Police Department and the city of Largo raising taxes, I have a simple answer. If Largo looks north to the city of Dunedin, the answer is there.
A few years ago, Dunedin decided to contract with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. There was much controversy, and I was not sure that this was a good idea.
Now that a few years have passed, I realize this was a great idea. Dunedin has saved millions and has concentrated on making the city a great place to live.
Largo needs to put aside its pride and examine all the benefits. The cost savings alone are reason enough to do it, but the most important factor is the quality of service the sheriff provides.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is professional and appears to be well-equipped. I see patrol cars, boats, crime scene vans and helicopters patrolling Dunedin all the time.
Largo could then concentrate on its parks, libraries and other services. It could eliminate the administration of the Police Department and spend the money on services that the good citizens of Largo would benefit from. You must remember that spending money on parks and libraries has long-term effects, and the money spent on a Police Department is only short-term.
But I think the biggest benefit would be to the officers of Largo. They would receive their take-home cars, have in-car computers and be members of the state retirement system. Largo would benefit by saving money and eliminating the liability.
So I will leave you with one last comment: Come and visit the city of Dunedin and see our beautiful downtown. We do not have drugs or a prostitution problem there.
-- Patrick J. McKay, Dunedin
Celebrate centennial by voicing opinions
As the city of Largo begins its centennial celebration, it is also in the process of reviewing its charter. This is an opportunity for the taxpayers of Largo to take a stand in how we are governed. The commission will review each item, decide on proposed changes and then place them on the ballot for the March election.
Some items are covered by state statute. They require deletion or conformity with state law. Other items will require greater thought and discussion. The public can and should give careful consideration to these items and share their wishes with the commission.
Among items for consideration are the number of commissioners and whether to divide the city into wards.
I think we should increase the number of commissioners to nine. As the city has grown, the commissioners have gained a greater number of people to represent. They also must sit on a greater number of outside agencies such as the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. More commissioners will better divide the work load.
I don't like the idea of dividing into wards. Commissioners should do their best to represent all the taxpayers. At present, taxpayers have access to all commissioners. Dividing the city into wards would mean each area competing with the others for money and services. Also, as the city adds new territory through annexation, it will necessitate redrawing ward boundaries.
The same small group of us speaks at commission meetings time and again. Now is the time for the other 70,000-plus residents and property owners to show up and speak up. Democracy is a terrible thing to waste. Celebrate Largo's first hundred years by helping to review and rewrite its charter.
-- Philipp Michel "Mike" Reichold, Largo
Join effort to control animal population
It has come to my attention that the Humane Society of North Pinellas recently had 500 cats, a mind-boggling figure. I can only imagine how overworked and stressed the staff must be.
I am sure they would appreciate a helping hand, or actually many helping hands. If you would call (727) 797-7722 to volunteer, you could make their day.
Folks, we need to spay and neuter all our animals, as well as the ones we come across outside in our neighborhoods to stop this horrendous cycle of overbreeding of companion animals.
There aren't enough homes for these animals; therefore they contribute to the homeless numbers and the euthanasia that no one prefers. Help a cat or dog live by stopping the animals' breeding.
And, of course, go to our shelters, Animal Services and breed rescue groups to adopt your next best friend for life.
Please, be part of the solution and not the problem.
-- Marilyn Weaver, Tarpon Springs
[Last modified June 28, 2004, 23:54:20]
