I have read the letters sent by those who are frustrated by the hurricane, and I'm disheartened.
These men and women repairing the damage have been working nonstop since last week.
Some, such as my husband, had to work the whole weekend and then more overtime this week.
They weren't able to be home with their families or take care of their homes.
Even city workers still have no power at home and work.
How much work do we expect them to do? They can't work all day and all night.
Remember, the heat index is above 100 degrees and everyone is interrupting them to complain. Be patient.
Don't forget how lucky we really are in this country. Thank God we have electricity - some countries don't.
We haven't always had all these luxuries.
Remember how many homes there are in our county and how everyone has had tree debris on top of usual garbage collection.
Be patient.
Have a heart.
Say something kind.
-- Pamela Young, Clearwater
Many efforts laudable in storm's wake
Hats off to Clearwater's Solid Waste Department for picking up tree debris from our neighborhoods after Frances in record-breaking time before it could become flying missiles in case Hurricane Ivan makes landfall in the Tampa Bay area. They were out in full force well after 6 p.m. removing debris piled up at the end of driveways. Great job!
Also, thank you St. Pete Times carriers for getting that all-important newspaper to homes and corner vending boxes during heavy weather and, of course, to the U.S. Postal Service for living up to its motto. Great job everyone!
-- Len Vivolo, Clearwater
Was it safe to deliver newspapers?
Although we did appreciate receiving our St. Petersburg Times on schedule (during Frances), we question the judgment of the Times to send the paper carriers out under those adverse wind and rain conditions.
I believe even emergency crews were not allowed out.
And do you think the Postal Service would deliver mail under those conditions? I think not.
-- Jack A. Garber, Clearwater
City gave Aungst what he deserved
Re: Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst losing Clearwater vote in the race for county clerk of court.
Some people just don't get it. By all appearances, Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst is one of those individuals. How can Aungst honestly believe that his political loss for Pinellas County clerk of the circuit court had nothing to do with his being mayor of Clearwater? Is he in denial or what?
While Aungst may have been planning to use his position of Clearwater mayor as a political steppingstone, the controversy over a harmonica tribute this past spring could have possibly played into his recent loss. Aungst may have struck a sour note with many voters because of his mean-spirited actions against former City Council member and octogenarian Bill Justice.
Justice had opposed the Coachman Park renovations that the mayor had favored. Due to the hard feelings, Aungst almost prevented Justice from attending a special gathering so he could give his longtime friend, outgoing City Council member J.B. Johnson, a planned harmonica tribute.
Even though matters eventually were ironed out, perhaps some people did not forget. Thank goodness people read the newspaper and listen to the news. Nevertheless, politicians are notorious for promising voters almost anything to get the support that they need to win.
Remember this: Actions spoke louder than words. Pinellas County voters have appropriately responded to Aungst's inappropriate actions.
-- JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater
Watch where you park - then walk
Once again I saw a person park in a handicapped parking space when there was an empty parking space right next to it. What is 5 more feet? If anyone should leave a handicapped space empty, I would think it would be another disabled person.
I hadn't paid much attention to this until my wife was disabled and as we were about to park, she said, "You can park there. I have a handicap card."
I said, "Why should I take up a handicapped space when there is an empty space right next to it?"
From that time on, I have paid attention, and a lot of people make the same mistake. Pay attention, folks. Sometimes disabled people need the extra wide space in a disabled parking space for wheelchairs, etc. If you can walk 5 more feet, do it.
-- Donald F. Kelly, St. Petersburg
Turn signals are there for a reason
There are just too many people driving in the Tampa Bay area who do not seem to remember what their turn signal is there for. There are probably 20 or more vehicles I see switching lanes or making a turn without putting their turn signal on every day. Could someone please tell me what is going on around here and when will it stop?
This situation needs to be enforced by our police. Until tickets start being issued regularly, it will be the next generation of drivers in those vehicles learning the bad habits of their parents who will suffer the most.
-- Ron Gustas, Pinellas Park
[Last modified September 10, 2004, 01:15:35]
