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Commission travel is good investment

Re: Now in office, he changes tune on trips, story, April 10.

First let me say that St. Petersburg Times staff writer Nora Koch did a great job in writing her story regarding my Tarpon Springs City Commission traveling. Her information was accurate and to the point and expressed the facts and not her point of view on the subject and that is refreshing.

It was true that before I was elected to the commission I was critical of the traveling expenses that I had heard so much about. What I did not realize at the time was that I did not have all the information needed to make an informed decision. During this second term of office I have learned the value of two things: teamwork and lobbying powerful elected officials with the power to help out the citizens of Tarpon Springs financially.

I will not go into great detail, but the lobbying teamwork of our commission has successfully produced very tangible results. Our city has received about $1-million from Rep. Mike Bilirakis for our sewer projects, about $1-million for community revitalization from the Community Development Block Grant Program, $50,000 from the Florida Legislature to repair our crumbling Craig Park sea wall, and now we are in line to receive more than $3,700,000 from the Florida Legislature to help pay for the repaving and sidewalk projects on Alt. U.S. 19 and Tarpon Avenue that will start this year.

The officials who make these financial decisions receive many, many requests for these monies. From personal observation, I can assure you that in matters of money and the government, the best chance of getting these grants is to have face-to-face meetings with these officials. This may cost an investment of time and financial resources, but it has paid off very well for Tarpon Springs.

There are people who overlook the fact, and I used to be one of them, that these city projects need to be funded in some way. If not for trips to see our representatives, senators and legislators, our citizens would have to fund them out of the local taxes they pay our city. In reality, financial lobbying keeps down our tax rates.

Many Tarpon citizens will remember that years ago the city almost doubled the tax rate because not enough revenue was being brought in to pay for our needed services. We cannot allow this to happen again. Other Florida cities are on the verge of losing their city charters due to poor financial conditions while Tarpon Springs is now fiscally strong and growing.

The bottom line is that in the past I had a very negative opinion regarding commission travel. Now I would like to say publicly that I was wrong. Experience and success at bringing money to our city have taught me the value of looking at all sides of any issue before making quick judgments. The citizens of Tarpon Springs are my most important concern and I will use this valuable learning experience to improve my service to them.

Let's not doom ourselves to repeat beach history

Re: In ripping beach plans, do not name Sand Key, letter, April 11.

It would appear the letter writer, Samantha Farina, is not familiar with the history of Sand Key. Before it was developed, it was "Belleair Beach," a public area unspoiled and enjoyed by thousands of people.

While fighting the disputed property boundaries, developers poured concrete right into the place where the waves used to break on the beach. The Florida Legislature passed laws to restrict beach development to 200 feet from the high tide line, but it was all too late to save "Belleair Beach" from U.S. Steel's greedy plans.

Now instead of a public area, it is reserved for those who can afford the spectacular view (enjoyed while blocking the view of those less fortunate).

We really need to remember these lessons and prevent a repeat.

Good music from the past brings back sweet memories

Re: New oldies take over 106.3 airwaves, story, March 29.

Thanks for the story on 106.3-FM radio and how the older generation knows what real music was and enjoys hearing it again.

Having just returned from Texas, where we enjoyed a great annual family reunion, several family members gathered to try to relive the days of our youth. To our dismay, the old haunt now plays so-called modern music - rock 'n' roll and hard rock - none of which any of us ever heard of. No one graced the dance floor as in days gone by, so needless to say, our evening out ended much sooner than anticipated.

To hear good music from the past brings back all those sweet young memories and gives us so much enjoyment and many smiles as we hear words and music we can actually understand. The music of the past made sense, and many times it told a beautiful or sad tale, but all understandable and enjoyable.

Congrats to the radio station, which keeps us entertained with real music.

[Last modified April 14, 2005, 01:15:22]