Re: What's the big problem here? Time the lights, letter, June 16.
The letter writer's complaint about the untimed lights in the county, a valid observation, is directed to the Pinellas County Commission. I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Pinellas County Citizens University, an opportunity for residents to visit county leaders, department managers and facilities.
The program includes a visit to the traffic control facility, where I learned the county has good, qualified people to coordinate the stoplights. They desire very much to coordinate the stoplights throughout the county and look forward to the day this benefit to citizens of Pinellas County may be accomplished.
I say "may" because the county director of traffic has the ability, the technology and the desire, but he "may" not time all the traffic signals. Permission to perform this valuable service is required by the individual city managers and city commissions. And therein lies the problem!
Our county is very large and includes multiple municipalities. Our main roads, such as those mentioned in the reader's complaint - U.S. 19 and Seminole Boulevard (and let's not forget Park Boulevard, East/West Bay Drive, Ulmerton Road, Alt. U.S. 19, etc.) - are not all under the strict jurisdiction of the county. They run through cities. The traffic director has had difficulty getting some municipalities to participate in the coordination of stoplights within their city boundaries.
I strongly encourage the writer, especially identifying himself as a Largo resident, to redirect his comments to the municipal city councils. Your voice needs to be heard by those who resist this cooperative effort to positively affect the overall Pinellas traffic problem, who maintain tight control over their city boundaries and are uncooperative with the county traffic controllers to the detriment of the citizens, visitors and travelers.
Timing of all the stoplights on all the roads (regardless of their city or town jurisdiction) would be a great project to foster cooperation among the cities and the county leaders, which have a contentious history.
-- Anne Scofield, Largo
Lights seem programmed for speeders
Re: What's the big problem here? Time the lights, letter, June 16.
Letter writer Curtis Holmes discusses the near impossibility of driving almost anywhere in the county at the speed limit without being caught by a red light at every controlled intersection. I would like to suggest the lights are timed, just not for the speed limits.
I arrived at this conclusion early one Sunday morning when I was pressed for time to meet my car club at the north rest area on Interstate 275. I got on U.S. 19 at Curlew Road and put the hammer down. I soon found I was making all the lights green, except for the one at 54th Street, and that was because someone changed lanes, driving at the speed limit, blocking the opening I had before me. When the light turned green, I again proceeded as before and made it all the way to the ramp up to I-275 without any red or yellow lights.
So what was I doing? Traveling between 8 and 10 mph over the posted speed limits.
Obviously, if lights are timed for a faster speed than the limit, one cannot get anything but red lights, and one travels one light at a time.
Oh, that's ridiculous, you say. But is it? Most drivers, as well as our county officials, are aware that stop-and-go driving and idling at each light for up to 3 minutes uses much more fuel than driving steadily without stops (unless you are driving a hybrid). That of course sells more fuel, and in the price of the fuel is tax for the county!
This method of increasing tax collection seems to be evident throughout the Tampa Bay area. Yet recently I traveled U.S. 19 in Pasco County between Tarpon Springs and Port Richey. Even with fairly heavy traffic I made all but two lights on green and while driving at the speed limit.
Government for the people?
-- Walter Heberlein, Dunedin
Former hotel owner embodies generosity
For 46 years, Bernie Powell owned and operated the historic Belleview Biltmore hotel, hosting everyone from the Duke of Windsor to golfer Ben Hogan. With elegance and grace, he gained national and international acclaim for the Belleair community. Belleair was the Belleview Biltmore hotel and vice versa.
In 1990, Mr. Powell sold the hotel and over the past 15 years has shared a significant portion of the proceeds from that sale with our community. In 1991 he made his first million-dollar gift to Morton Plant Hospital to build the Powell Cancer Center in memory of his beloved daughter Christy, whom he lost in 1981. That same year he created the CaPSS program, which has become a national model for counseling cancer patients and their families.
In 1996, he made a second gift of $2.3-million for the Cheek-Powell Heart & Vascular Pavilion, which is home to the Morton Plant Wellness Center. In 2002, he committed another $1.5-million for the Mary Ann and Bernard F. Powell Child Care and Learning Center, which opened in 2004 on the Morton Plant Hospital campus.
The Mallory-Powell Salvation Army Social Services Center will be opening later this year in Clearwater. Mr. Powell's estate plans include multiple millions more for Morton Plant Hospital and more than 20 other charities.
Through the Belleview Biltmore hotel, Bernie Powell was able to continue the tradition of philanthropists Morton Plant and Donald Roebling who came before him. Nearly a century ago, the Belleview Biltmore's original owner, Henry B. Plant, challenged the community with a $100,000 gift to build Morton Plant Hospital, named after his son. At 93, Bernie Powell continues to give of his time, talent and treasure to increase accessibility and affordability of health care for all of our citizens regardless of their ability to pay.
-- Holly H. Duncan, Clearwater
Are parking meters really necessary?
Recently, we traveled to St. Armands Key in Sarasota for an arts and crafts fair. I was surprised to see a lot of activity. Stores were open and there were people shopping and having a good time.
I saw something else too. There were no parking meters. What a novel idea! That community provides a user-friendly environment for the retail stores and for the shoppers.
I wonder if Largo and Clearwater city governments really feel it is worth squeezing every penny they can out of the residents when they park their cars to shop or go to the beach? We even pay to park to visit our own county courthouse. I think its time to rid ourselves of this income source and wake up our dead downtowns.
-- Gail Randle, Clearwater
[Last modified June 17, 2005, 00:35:15]
