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Travel to conferences can easily pay off for public officials

Re: They'll go to Hawaii; we'll get the bill, June 18.

The kind of county commissioners who would scare me would be would be ones who are so sure of their own opinions that they would not be willing to learn from others in similar positions. They would not care about the successes of other counties, and they would have no interest in talking with other elected officials who have made a significant difference to their communities.

It is unimaginable to me that St. Petersburg Times' readers would not support educational and networking opportunities on a national level for members of the Pinellas County Commission.

My own national association holds conferences in interesting and enjoyable places throughout the country. The truth is, the cost is about the same, with airfare being the variable. That motel you read about on the county's brochure has rates similar to those in most cities with convention facilities that could support the meeting.

Convention managers pick beautiful cities and produce interesting brochures because it is hard to get busy elected officials or other professionals to travel for education and networking seminars. Like me, they hate taking the time. After attending, they are fired up and realize it was the best possible use of their time.

All it is going to take is for one Pinellas County Commissioner to pick up one important idea and use it effectively for this training to pay off. Readers should think about the total annual county budget as managed by this commission. Then they can responsibly ponder whether four Pinellas commission members should attend their national training and networking convention.

See you at the polls

Re: They'll go to Hawaii; we'll get the bill.

Personally, few things have made me feel better than knowing that some members of my duly elected Pinellas County Commission are willing to attend a taxpayer-funded convention in a Third World hellhole like Hawaii solely for my betterment.

So, bon voyage, commissioners. Enjoy the Hawaiian sunsets, the pig roast luau on the beach and the umbrella drinks by the pool. Have a safe trip on our money. Return soon, and we'll see you all on Election Day.

Why so negative?

Re: They'll go to Hawaii; we'll get the bill.

You point out that cost for the commissioners to attend would be on average $2,500. As a nongovernment employee, I wish the seminars I attend cost as little as this. The National Association of Counties chooses a different state each year to host this annual event. Did you forget Hawaii is state, too?

Your article sends a negative message to NACO as to where it should hold its annual seminar and says to government employees they should not be able attend seminars in the most beautiful state in the Union. To the approximately 3,000 county employees across the nation who are going, thanks for serving us. Have a great time.

Let's grade commissioners

Re: They'll go to Hawaii, we'll get the bill.

I say, "Let 'em go." We know and they know it's a junket. Sure these Pinellas officials will collect handouts from the various meetings they attended. Probably even take a few digital pictures to show around when they get back. But they're still spending $18,000 for information they could get on the Internet or from the national office of the conference sponsor on audio/video.

Still, I say, "Let 'em go," but at the end of the fiscal year, let's ask the county to publish a list of where they went and how much they spent. Give the Pinellas taxpayers a chance to grade them for their performance as commissioners - the same way we grade our kids in school. If they earn an "A" grade, they get 100 percent reimbursement for their expenses. If they receive a "C" maybe 60 percent, and no reimbursement for "D" or below. While I appreciate the Times' reporting on such egregious behavior, you have become a paper tiger, and we, a feckless electorate. For shame on the commissioners and on us.

A stain on Hillsborough County

Re: Hillsborough bans county from recognizing gay pride, June 16.

The recent proposal passed by the County Commission to "... abstain from acknowledging, promoting or participating in gay pride recognition and events, little p, little g" in Hillsborough County is deplorable.

Commissioner Ronda Storms and her supporters ought to be ashamed of their spirit of discrimination. They spit in the face of all those who fought for decades to attain equal rights legislation.

Here's the news, Ronda and Company: Your proposal re-enforces bigotry, encourages ignorance and is an injustice to all. It acknowledges, promotes and avows active discrimination.

Hillsborough County is tarnished by your narrow-minded agenda!

A setback for our community

Dear Hillsborough County Commissioners:

Your discriminatory, 6-1 vote Wednesday may have set this community back at least 10 to 20 years. I don't say this lightly as I consider most of you personal friends and respect you greatly for your public service. However, "Friends Don't Let Friends Discriminate."

Putting aside the obvious human rights and civil liberties issues, the inconsistencies of your various positions need to be addressed. You say you want to bring in huge sporting events. Likewise, you vote to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to bring in new businesses and conventions from around the nation. I believe that the people associated with these events, businesses and conventions want to come to progressive communities with leaders who are open-minded and accepting of all people.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio got it right Thursday when she said that "our diversity is our strength and it should be celebrated." There is still time to reconsider your vote and when you do, please remember that you were elected to represent all of the people.

A message of narrow-mindedness

As a resident of Hillsborough County I want to thank Ronda Storms and four other county commissioners for reminding me how important it is to stay involved in local elections. And I want to thank Commissioner Kathy Castor for giving me hope that all is not lost yet.

As Storms worries about what to tell her children about gays and lesbians, I worry about what to tell my children about how people can be so narrow-minded and mean-spirited and call themselves leaders in our community.

[Last modified June 21, 2005, 02:30:30]