Pinellas Park is faced with a difficult decision on how many horses should be allowed per acre. Having boarded a horse at a stable in Pinellas Park for years, I have come to the conclusion that it's not just a "numbers" issue but a "quality of life" issue, and that is a difficult one to govern.
The stable where our horse was boarded was a strictly run and well-maintained facility, but because there were approximately 60 horses on about 10 acres (under the eight horses per acre now being considered), the horses were restricted to only 30 minutes of pasture time per day (to spare the grass). For most of the horses, daily visits from owners allowed them more time out of their box stall, but for some of the horses, 231/2 hours of every day were spent isolated in a stall.
In a perfect world, horses are free to graze in pastures for most of their day, but that isn't possible in Pinellas Park. Our horse is still living in Pinellas County, but not in Pinellas Park, and now has two hours of pasture time each day. He seems happier and so are we.
-- Alicia Auletta, Indian Rocks Beach
Our libraries, staffers are wonderful
I am the leader of the St. Petersburg Palm Group of the Florida Writers Association. We are an organization of writers of all genres, beginners to published authors. We meet at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the St. Petersburg Main Library, at 3745 Ninth Ave N.
Everyone should be aware of the outstanding libraries we have in this county. They do not just loan books, tapes and CDs. They provide a wide range of services to the readers and writers in the county. We are allowed to use the auditorium each month at no charge. Celia White, adult services coordinator, and Nick Pocengal, office systems specialist, have worked with me to see that we keep our scheduled date each month. They have made sure we have a microphone or easel when needed. They have offered to help us set up the chairs and tables.
Initially, I was driving around the county to hand-deliver our posters and fliers to each of the libraries when a charming lady at the Pinellas Park library told me to contact the main library for help with distribution. The main library now uses its courier service to deliver our notices to the other county libraries. Those libraries display our posters.
Many people have called me for more information because of the caring librarians. People have inquired about books on writing; the librarians have suggested they call me. A group of writers were meeting at one of the libraries. The librarian gave them one of our fliers and encouraged them to attend a meeting.
Every member of the library staff I have come in contact with has been pleasant, kind and helpful. And not just with me. I have observed their caring actions with other patrons on my frequent trips to the library.
My appreciation for the library, and most important for the library staff, cannot adequately be expressed. So, let me say thank you, publicly, to all the lovely men and women working at the libraries in Pinellas County. You are appreciated.
-- Sheila McNaughton, St. Petersburg
Drive-in restaurants are unforgettable
Re: Drive-ins were at the center of social scene, by Scott Taylor Hartzell, July 21.
Years back drive-in restaurants with car hops were fantastic public service food servers. Hundreds of times in Chicago, during my late teens and early 20s, my girlfriends and I would pull in for shakes, burgers, fries, soft drinks, etc. Truly, their existence and essence served their times. The car hops demonstrated by their courtesy, conscientiousness, respectfulness and good cheer that they were well trained and well suited for their jobs.
For me now, these past entities are enthroned by nostalgia. I had fantastically good times at these car hop restaurants. This is a part of the past I miss - the dignities such restaurants rendered their customers. Reading about them reawakened marvelous memories. It may be that they gradually grew out of their functions and adopted different modes and methods, but they will never will be forgotten by those of my generation.
-- Robert B. Fleming, St. Petersburg
Lealman rescue team deserves praise
Re: Lealman Fire and Rescue Team.
Besides successfully performing their primary mission, the community involvement of the members of the Lealman Special Fire Control District has been outstanding. They have conducted at least two sessions for Community Emergency Response Team training. The graduates of the training become members of the President's Citizen Corps of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The training is to allow neighbors to assist neighbors in times of emergency: search and rescue, triage and treatment, and other crisis intervention.
The firefighters themselves exhibit classic team cooperation. They respect and have faith in their team members' abilities and views. Situations dictate leaders and followers with the cooperation of officers in the group.
Their respect for each other flows over to the people in their CERT training classes and the other community events they sponsor or assist: Independence Day activities at Terrace Park of Five Towns and the Kenneth City Police Department; the back-to-school event hosted by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office; and other groups' events.
During the past year and a half I have had the dubious pleasure of being transported two times to hospitals by the Lealman Fire and Rescue team. Their prompt, caring and efficient response was comforting and life preserving.
I praise the Lealman Special Fire Control District members for their integrity and professionalism. The team is certainly an asset for the residents of Pinellas County.
-- Peggy Daubert, St. Petersburg
Spill on sidewalk brought kind response
I was visiting St. Petersburg from New York on July 21 and fell on the sidewalk near BayWalk. I am not sure whether or not I momentarily lost consciousness, but I do know I was bleeding profusely from my head and was hurt and scared.
I cannot adequately thank the wonderful people who came to help me. From inside the office building near where I fell, many came out to comfort me and offer me water and assistance. The police and paramedics came almost immediately and took excellent care of me. I wish I knew all their names and could express my gratitude personally.
It is heart-warming to realize that so many people care for others, even strangers, and are willing to help when needed.
-- Bernadette Rittner, Spring Valley, N.Y.
[Last modified August 11, 2004, 01:38:25]
