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Nation needs long-term energy solutions, not gulf drilling

Re: Offshore drilling promotes national security, by Sen. Mary Landrieu, June 16.

I wonder if Sen. Landrieu actually wrote this piece or just had the big oil lobbyists do it for her.

In yet another case of failing to see the forest for the trees, the senator would like us to believe that opening up more of the Gulf of Mexico to oil drilling would somehow make our country more secure by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. But she gives no mention to any efforts at conservation or developing alternative sources of energy.

Long-term solutions are what we need, not more exploration and drilling that will only serve to continue feeding our nation's crack-like addiction to oil.

And no, Sen. Landrieu, the Gulf Coasts of Florida and Louisiana do not have a lot in common. Some of the waters off the coast of Louisiana are virtual dead zones and many of the beaches are unusable. The same cannot be said of Florida's Gulf Coast, and I hope it stays that way.

Thanks for vote against Wal-Mart

As a resident of Brighton Bay, and 10-year resident of St. Petersburg, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the city of St. Petersburg's Environmental Development Commission for voting down the approval of a big-box mega-retailer on the corner of Brighton Bay Boulevard and Gandy Boulevard.

After nearly 10 hours of debate, it was clear that the developer's large staff of corporate lawyers could not dispel the numerous doubts and concerns regarding this mega-retailer. I am grateful that the EDC recognized that several issues were not adequately mitigated, including: the drastic expected increase in traffic; the adverse impacts on endangered species and sport fishing associated with burying the site's large natural saltwater tidal marsh; the increased risk of flooding to our community by elevating the 27-acre property (which frequently fills with water and is located in a coastal high hazard flood zone) to 6 feet above Brighton Bay Boulevard; and the dangers to our community's school bus stops (the store's primary entrance, used by an expected 15,000 cars daily, would have been directly adjacent to our children's school bus stop).

The EDC's decision to vote down this misguided project was concurrent with the conclusions of numerous federal agencies (including the EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), concurrent with the conclusions of several independent experts (including traffic engineers, land use attorneys and environmental consultants), concurrent with sentiment of local businesses and residents, and concurrent with common sense. The project simply did not belong on that site! It was too large and too dangerous to be so close to a neighborhood. Thank you, city of St. Petersburg, for your leadership, wisdom and courage!

A cause for celebration

On the way to work the other day "a little birdie" told me to say thank you! It said to say thank you to all of the people who took the time, spent the money, and put forth the effort Wednesday at St. Petersburg's City Hall.

I was one of those people at City Hall, fighting on behalf of that bird and all wildlife in Pinellas County. I was there with other members of the Sierra Club, Brighton Bay residents and dozens of other concerned residents. We were able to do what some people thought was impossible: to go up against the poster child of corporate America.

I have to recognize the members of the Environmental Development Commission who heard our voice and that of our environment. Sam Walton said each Wal-Mart store should reflect the values of its customers and support the vision they hold for their community. He also said that if a community did not want a Wal-Mart that it should not build there. I guess these beliefs went out with the "Made in the USA" type of thinking.

I do not believe that this battle is over yet, but for the moment I plan to go outside and celebrate with "a little birdie."

There's a price to pay with Wal-Mart

Re: Wal-Mart loses in first round, June 16.

For once, the people can claim a victory against a profit-driven behemoth that shows no conscience. Hooray for the citizens who endured a marathon meeting to testify against Wal-Mart going up on Gandy Boulevard in St. Petersburg, and to the five members of the Environmental Development Commission who had the common sense to reject the proposal.

Many reasons were cited - environmental damage and traffic congestion among them - but the bigger picture is that penny-pinching shoppers need to do some research. The detriments sometimes far outweigh the benefits. Don't let the flag-waving commercials fool you. Wal-Mart's "always low prices" carry a heavy price for our community and society.

Water hogs

Re: Pricing paradise by the gallon, June 12.

There is only one word for those who use 40,000 gallons of water per month: hogs. What difference does it make if they are charged more? They are still wasting a precious, often scarce resource. It's pocket change to wealthy people.

I see the same mentality in Homosassa, with neighbors watering like there is no tomorrow and, even during and right after a heavy rain. Many are back up north and don't have rain sensor gauges to preclude sprinklers running when not needed. They should be mandatory.

Too private for print

Re: The ripper, June 16.

As a woman, I take great offense at this revolting article. I may have expected to read it in Cosmo, but even in that publication I am sure it would not have been as graphic. I am very surprised that such a private matter was allowed to be printed and in such detail.

I hope that the person who wrote the article, the photographer and especially the person who gave final authorization to print it take the time to read it again. I sincerely hope an apology to your readers is printed.

A lack of good taste

Re: The Ripper.

The article and the photo, which take up a large area of the Floridian front page, show a total lack of good taste and class.

The article contained subject matter that is not necessary in a family newspaper. One sentence mentions how the operator of the salon "and her implements venture into intimate crevices and clients assume positions associated with bedroom activity and yoga class." Do you realize that children are picking up this section to read the comics?

This article just cheapens the image of women, and today we need to raise woman to higher heights than this. I hope I can help do this by expressing how distasteful this article was.

Kathy Lerche, Dunedin

[Last modified June 21, 2005, 10:40:38]