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Faith and civic-minded faithful cannot be separated

Re: As churches influence area politics, local issues suffer, column by Diane Steinle, Feb. 13.

There will always be separation of church and state in this country, but there can never be separation of faith and the faithful.

The Founding Fathers made sure America would never become a theocracy when they wrote "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." the very first words of the very first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. We are free to believe what we want, and what we believe becomes who we are. Mind and soul.

And so, I'm troubled by the opening lines of this column: "Churches play an important role in American communities ... provide a place where people can worship with others of like beliefs ... offer religious education and religious-centered social activities ... a port in the storm for those who are lost or lonely or without hope." It sounds to me like the editor is putting churches in their place, as if to say, they're fine, they serve a purpose, as long as they mind their own business.

That's dismissive. The business of churches is the preaching of the gospel to the faithful. And it is the gospel that reveals to the faithful the moral values by which they must live and act all the time including - and perhaps, especially - participation in government.

No one is trying to turn our local governments into little theocracies, for heaven's sake. Even if the candidates' religious beliefs are not a factor for the voter to consider, what is so terribly wrong with voting for someone who represents similar values?

It saddens me that religious beliefs are viewed as if they were the good china sometimes used or the comfortable slippers sometimes worn. They are us and we should not - cannot - leave home without them.

Inadequate media coverage worsens apathy to local politics

Re: Apathy leads to uncontested elections, story, Feb. 7.

I applaud the Times for its recent coverage of the growing apathy for our local governmental process here in Pinellas County. However, I submit that you have, perhaps inadvertently, left out one very important consideration of the cause of the increased apathy. That would be the local media coverage, or lack thereof, as it relates to our local races and candidates.

During this past election cycle there was virtually no media coverage of local candidates and races. Any mention in the Times of upcoming public forums or debates between candidates involved in local races could typically be found as a two-liner on the fifth page below a mattress ad. Television coverage was almost nonexistent, except for state and national mud-slinging races.

This left the electorate to decide on its local candidates primarily based on mailers and billboards reflecting the latest political click-phrases rather than public discussions on real issues and solutions. Not to mention your endorsement page, which seemed to criticize those who dared to question current policy in an effort to recognize and improve our local government's service to its people - those of us who spoke of things like improving our transportation policy, our resource management policy, our economic and development growth policy and, yes, the growing apathy toward the process.

I find it interesting that those of us who spoke of these issues during our campaigns were characterized as radicals, perhaps disgruntled and unfit for public office. It does seem that your paper has improved coverage of these issues - after the elections. It's time for all of our local media organizations to accept their important role, responsibility, and duty to expand nonbiased coverage of the local races and candidates. Don't forget that there are still those of us who were willing to, and in some cases did, risk it all in belief that things can improve. Don't dumb-down for the sake of ad sales; pick it up for the sake of our local democratic process. It's your duty, nd it should also be your honor to do so.

--EDITOR'S NOTE: Norm Roche was a candidate for the Pinellas County Commission in the November 2004 election.

Some issues not mention as causes for candidate apathy

Re: Apathy leads to uncontested elections, story, Feb. 7.

While I am always curious to read what "political observers" have to say, I was surprised that the reporter did not interview at least some of the 32 people who applied for the Safety Harbor interim commissioner positions recently. Surely their reasons for not running for an office they asked to be appointed to could be of value to this important discussion.

I was one of the 32 applicants, and one of only three who actually ran. I did not waltz into office on a pass from my "friends" on the commission and, in fact, was passed over during the process not once but twice, precisely because I made it clear I planned to run.

Why are there so few candidates? I'd suggest election fatigue from November, the fact that key campaign organizing falls during the holiday season, the area's hurricane hangover and, in Safety Harbor's case, there was confusion. Many residents believed that the 32 people who wanted to be appointed were actually running and some candidates may have passed on the crowded field. "Low pay and lack of time" never occurred to me. This is not about getting some cushy gig but about public service and the honor and responsibility of representing my neighbors.

I take issue with the Pinellas Republican chairman's attitude that local issues aren't "very sexy." In fact, local issues prompted me to run. While organizing North Pinellas residents around the airport expansion issue over the last two years, I saw that there are two groups in our community: political insiders and the people who actually live here. It's time the former were introduced to the latter and that residents were not only encouraged to participate in their government but welcomed into the process. You can bet that'll be one of my concerns over the next three years.

Forget hosting Toronto VIP, invite Canadians to visit

Subject : Official balks at footing Toronto VIP's bill, story, Feb. 4.

I am a Canadian from Ontario and am amazed that any of your elected officials would want to pay for one man and his family, whether he's a city official or a blue collar worker, to visit Dunedin. It's under the pretext that this one person's free visit would influence other people from his city to visit.

Well, let me tell you, all it does for me is cause resentment. I spend my earned taxed dollar down here and I get nothing for free. Let this guy pay his own way and let Canada know about your beautiful city. What it costs to give him and his family a free holiday (and, believe me, he can well afford to pay his own way) should be spent on advertising in our Canadian newspapers and letting everyone know the benefits of vacationing in Dunedin.

In my opinion, this guy in Toronto who is not even associated with the Blue Jays organization is cashing in on your city's goodwill. Give us all a break and invite us all to visit. Even if it costs you a cup of coffee for every visitor, think of the money that would be spent by thousands of Canadian tourists. We might not come from Toronto but we are still Jays' fans, so give all Canadians an opportunity to see how beautiful Dunedin is.

Officials who represent Tarpon residents voted for Wal-Mart

Re: Tarpon Springs residents still opposed to Wal-Mart, letter, Feb. 15.

A letter writer from New Port Richey stated, "The majority of the people of Tarpon Springs did not want a Wal-Mart." The city commissioners voted in favor of the Wal-Mart. Don't they represent the people? Was there a city vote taken? The major opposition to Wal-Mart is from union organizers, not the everyday people of the area. Wal-Mart is an American success story that employs thousands of American workers. Get on with building the store!

[Last modified February 21, 2005, 01:32:19]