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Letter to the editor

Why fault one council for sins of others?

Are some of the residents of Clearwater in a time warp? Over and over again I read letters to the editor blaming the current City Council for the Clearwater Beach roundabout and the Harborview Center.

As a result of these less-than-loved projects, city residents have since voted in a different crew for the City Council. Thus, these projects did not happen on their watch. Let's move on, folks.

Furthermore, Clearwater and its director of Public Works had the brilliance to make the new Memorial Causeway bridge a Florida Department of Transportation project. No one foresaw there would be problems, but while we are inconvenienced, the headaches belong to the DOT.

And as far as the previous bayfront redevelopment referendum goes, I certainly would like to get rid of the asphalt road on the waterfront and enlarge Coachman Park so we can go down to the water and enjoy the view, have a picnic meal or just walk along the waterfront. What a nice cool walk in the evening without having to go over to the beach! Boat slips would also be fun to walk along.

As a child here, I went with my family on some hot evenings to walk along the marina over at the beach and enjoyed seeing where all the boats had come from. I think the downtown waterfront could be a lovely destination for us all.

This is 2004. Populations grow. We in Clearwater are practically built out. Old buildings are wearing out. Redevelopment is the answer unless we want blight to take hold. Our City Council and city management are carefully trying to control the growth and the quality of our city. Let's be realistic!

Coverage of fluoride issue given praise

Re: fluoridation of Pinellas County's water.

The burden of proof regarding the safety of fluoridation lies with the government officials bestowed with the public trust.

By all indications, the county commissioners are not fulfilling this trust in this case. The laissez-faire attitude the county commissioners are taking with regard to the safety issues presented by industry experts is frightening, almost sinister. Presented with facts that prove a course of action unwise and unsafe, to continue in that course of action speaks to me of hidden personal bias or complete incompetence.

The inclination of our county commissioners to act contrary to the public interest in this important public health case is outrageous. Thank you for continuing to cover the issue, putting pressure on the county commissioners to faithfully execute the duties of their office in the name of the public trust, despite obvious bias.

Clearwater firefighters worth raises they seek

The Fourth of July didn't start well for some of the residents of Pinebrook Apartments when we were awakened to the shriek of a neighboring building's fire alarms.

There didn't seem to be a fire, so we called the Clearwater Fire Department's nonemergency line to ask someone to come check and shut off the alarm. They responded within minutes and returned our day to the relaxing holiday it should have been.

If this is how they respond to a nonemergency, I have absolute faith that we, as Clearwater residents, are in excellent hands should there be a real emergency. Thank you, Clearwater Fire Department, for your dedication and professionalism. It offends me that our city officials can't see that you are worth every penny you ask for!

Auto dealership lauded for rescuing least terns

Re: Dealership's employees cluck over tern chicks, story, July 5.

Kudos and commendations to Autoway Pontiac GMC in Clearwater for the retrieval of the least tern chicks from its parking lot. In these days of rampant cruelty and violence, it is heartwarming to learn that a business establishment is using its time and resources to rescue baby birds. Folks like you restore my faith in the goodness of human beings.

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[Last modified July 14, 2004, 01:00:43]