It never ceases to amaze me how some people use a lack of good judgment in preparing for a hurricane.
As I drove through my neighborhood the day before Hurricane Frances was expected to reach Pinellas County, some residents had placed their throwaways at the end of their driveway. It would not be picked up until well after the hurricane.
These items included old sinks, vanities and tree trimmings, all of which would most certainly become missiles flying into the homes and vehicles of those of us who used a little common sense in preparing for the hurricane.
Placing such items at the end of a driveway during an approaching hurricane is ludicrous and shows a lack of good judgment and consideration for one's neighbors and other people's property.
-- Len Vivolo, Clearwater
Largo's preparation helped ease fears
Because the city of Largo is pre-emptive, we sustained less damage than other areas. If you are living in a low area, you will have water problems. I cannot tell you how many times the emergency vehicles went up and down our street. We had no fears because our city had a plan and dedicated personnel to carry it out.
Thank you, Mayor Bob Jackson, the city commissioners, staff members, all of you who work and volunteer on our behalf and the fire and police departments.
We often forget to also say thanks to our hospital staff members from the best surgeon down to the person who runs the dishwasher.
It's good to be a Largoite.
-- Marie F. Hoke-Singer, Largo
Burying power lines would be beneficial
Perhaps our leaders should rethink the benefits/effectiveness of putting all of our power lines in conduits underground. Yes, the initial cost would be high, but I submit that this would be offset by the long-term pluses for all of us. In my little town alone, there have been irksome stoppages, sometimes when it isn't even raining, let alone thundering and lightning.
-- Joseph P. Corell, Safety Harbor
Times' production, delivery merit praise
I returned to my Largo home from my mandatory evacuation fully expecting to find the worst, but not only was I relieved to find the house still standing, I was astonished to discover the Sunday and Monday editions of the St. Petersburg Times sitting on the doorstep. Credit is due to the production team that managed to get them to press, but a special word of thanks and appreciation goes to the home delivery people who fought the elements to get the papers to us. They truly acted well above and beyond the call of duty.
-- Thomas C. Rizzo Jr., Largo
Entry to Clearwater looks neglected
While recently driving with my family on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard at U.S. 19 in Clearwater, I noticed how disgraceful that entire area looked. The landscaping had not been worked on in at least a month. The grass had not been mowed in a very long time, and as far as edging goes, that had also not been done in quite some time.
That area is one of the first impressions tourists see as they are driving into our city. Let's try to clean it up.
-- Marta Blackert, Clearwater
Four-way stop an unnecessary addition
I wish to protest the installation of four-way stop signs on two consecutive minor intersections on S Druid Road at Magnolia Drive and at Jasmine Way. These two streets are minor neighborhood roads with almost no traffic. Jasmine Way stops at S Druid Road. Magnolia Drive is a dead end to the west.
Traffic signage is usually provided after the use of traffic counts by an engineer. This obviously was not done here.
There is an adequate maximum speed limit of 25 mph posted. Plain single stop signs at the side streets would have been adequate.
This is poor planning. Another Clearwater folly.
-- Stanley Wohl, Clearwate
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