Rep. Bense overlooks deaths caused by red-light runners
Letters to the EditorPublished March 3, 2005
Re: Stoplight bill dead from word go, speaker says, Feb. 25.
This article stated that "red-light runners killed 115 people and injured 13,000 in Florida in 2003."
House Speaker Allan Bense promises to stop the passage of bills that would allow cameras at intersections with traffic lights. Many legislators, sheriffs, the AARP and the Florida Medical Association support the installation of these cameras. They would obviously be a deterrent that would reduce the number of accidents caused by careless drivers who continually ignore a red traffic light.
Apparently Bense thinks that 115 dead and 13,000 injured in one year is no big deal. Maybe if he went and visited the families of those killed and those injured, it might shake him out of his current extremely shortsighted view against installing cameras at traffic-light intersections.
-- Richard Preston, St. Petersburg
They're not considerate neighbors
Re: Belleair wrestles over Hulk Hogan's menagerie: Suburban smackdown, Feb. 26.
Celebrity status aside, the story about the Bolleas is about a family not respecting the rights of their neighbors. To argue that the town code regarding the number of pets is "vague" or "overbroad" is missing the point. The law is quite specific about a person infringing on other people's rights to the quiet enjoyment of their properties. It doesn't matter if the continuing source of noise is caused by a barking dog, loud music, objectionable equipment sounds or a crowing rooster. All can be considered to be nuisances.
If the Bolleas were nice people, they wouldn't be hiring an attorney to wage a legal battle over the town ordinance or running around, screaming into cameras that they have been targeted because of their celebrity status. Instead, they should be considerate neighbors and do whatever it takes to stop the noise.
-- Lisa Schellin, Palm Harbor
Give the family a chance
Re: Suburban smackdown, Feb. 26.
Terry and Linda Bollea's family has lived a quiet life in their home. No riot squads have been called for loud parties. Both are polite, and I've not heard that they ever turned down the use of their celebrity status to help out a local charity.
I will agree roosters are noisy, but they do not live forever. We raised chickens. The hens just cluck, but the male has to signal the world he is there. Much like humans. The city caused the problem by issuing a permit for the fowl. Can't change your mind when it's convenient for you.
I believe they have the right to have a respectable number of animals in their home and on their grounds. It's not as if they were harboring pit bulls on a 50 by 60 lot. Back off be a good neighbor. Give them a chance to see if they can find away to quiet the rooster.
I prefer a rooster crowing to barking dogs or screaming tropical birds.
-- Marie F. Hoke-Singer, Largo
Is it a potential reality show?
Re: Suburban smackdown.
I just read about how the Bolleas have been treated in a heavy-handed fashion by those in power in Belleair. The Bolleas are getting body-slammed in their own backyard for following the rules as they are written in Belleair.
The Bolleas are well-known for having made many contributions to the betterment of our community. I say: Let them be.
It seems obvious that the ordinance was clumsily written - allowing five pets per person - not per household. I am confident that the Bolleas are going to prevail, and wish them a speedy resolution of this embarrassment.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing how this plays out, possibly on TV one day. While embarrassing to Belleair, this sounds like just the kind of plot for an ongoing reality TV series that will easily surpass the vulgarity of The Osbournes - with characters that are more wholesome, more creative and more worthy of prime time.
To those who are offended by the crow of rooster, it is a creature of God. Blame the designer, or blame the person who accepted the payment for the domestic fowl permit years ago. Give it time and the situation will come to closure.
-- Tom Nocera, Clearwater
Please obey the law
Re: Suburban smackdown.
As an entertainer Hulk Hogan is in a world all to himself in his profession. However, as Terry Bollea, resident of Belleair he has the rights of other citizens living there but must obey the laws of this community.
So to Citizen Terry I say, please obey the law. There are no pet variances for entertainers. Manage your pet menagerie to the laws of the community.
-- R. Victor Wood, Indian Rocks Beach
Airport neighbors' illogic
Re: Crashes renew worries, Feb. 17.
I always read with interest the quotes from airport neighbors after some accident or mishap occurs at a local airport. There is invariably someone from the area who complains that the airport should be closed because it's unsafe to have airplanes near houses and buildings.
What always strikes me as amusing is that it never seems to be the case the neighbor predates the airport. In the particular example of the unfortunate fatal crash that occurred at Clearwater Airpark recently, the Times quotes Myvedet Hoxha who moved to the neighborhood in 1989 as complaining that the airport is unsafe. However, the same article notes that the airport was built in 1939, 50 years before Ms. Hoxha moved in!
Just imagine where our large cities would be if everyone who lived near an airport started lobbying to have it closed because they believed it was loud and unsafe. Perhaps the simpliest solution is that people who think airports are unsafe should not move near airports.
-- Katherine Frisch, St. Petersburg
Attacking the nation's foundation
Re: High court to weigh Ten Commandments case.
As my grandmother used to say, "Everything is going to hell in a hand basket." Seems like Thomas Van Orden is doing his best to carry that basket, with our country in it.
What right does an atheistic, homeless, former lawyer have to try to get all references to any religion erased from public view? Will he next try to get "In God We Trust" removed from our currency? Does he go to schools to see if any thing religious is on display there? Does he listen to hear if a prayer is uttered on government property? Is he trying to get the Bible removed from our libraries? Too many of our freedoms have been taken away already.
If the public display of religious items offends him so, let him not look. After all, what happens to a building when the foundation crumbles?
-- Jo Ann Merritt, Seminole
Hostile commandments
Re: Ten Commandments.
There's a reason we can't have the Ten Commandments in a courthouse: You cannot post "Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and "Thou shalt not lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians. It creates a hostile working environment.
-- Mary Voiles, New Port Richey