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A park, not condos, would better serve residents

Re: High hopes for downtown, story and photos, July 25.

After years of stagnation, it is nice to see some kind of development in downtown Clearwater that might bring people into the area.

However, most of the citizens who might visit downtown are never going to be able to afford those high-end condos, nor will they work in those high-end shops and offices.

When I look at the picture that was published of the Clearwater downtown waterfront-to-be, I wonder where the ordinary people are.

And I notice that part of Opus South's development is proposed on land that we, the ordinary citizens of Clearwater, already own: City Hall. Then I think, no way! I do not want another condo or another office building on my land. I, as a citizen, own the City Hall site and I, as a citizen, want to be able to use it.

Instead of an office building or a condo or a rebuilt City Hall on the bluff, I want a park.

Development could strain public services

Re: Acqua project in downtown Clearwater.

This project and others like it on the drawing boards in Clearwater raise one question: Has Clearwater government studied the impact on the city services, i.e., the increased demand on the water, sanitation, police and fire services?

It wasn't too long ago that we were in a water restriction mode, and we are still in a modified one. Also, how is the Clearwater Fire Department going to fight a fire on the 30th floor of this high-rise?

As retired superintendent of 400 Cleveland Street, I remember the problems we had with water pressure on the ninth floor, with pumps running at full capacity. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Acqua will put Clearwater on the map

Re: 32-story plan nears Pinellas' tallest tower, story, July 19.

Way to go, Clearwater city officials! I want to commend you for getting a project like the Acqua brought to Clearwater. I can't wait for it to start construction.

I think the idea of making it a signature building for Clearwater is a great idea. It will really put us on the map. The architects on this building did an incredible job of creating a beautiful building with enough pizazz to really get our town noticed.

To me, it's the start of something big for Clearwater. And to get a movie theater downtown - wow! And a couple of upscale restaurants will be nice, too.

I am really excited about the changes that you have in store for our downtown area. I love the plans for Cleveland Street and Coachman Park. What a great time to be living in Clearwater, and it's only going to get better!

Proposals will kick-start Clearwater

Re: Clearwater should carefully consider tower request, editorial, July 24.

I am in favor of the proposed new developments in downtown Clearwater as long as they are done by private parties. A tall building as a kick-starter is fine. When the other planned projects are added to the mix, the tall building will look very natural, in my opinion.

Clearwater trying to copy Dunedin doesn't make sense to me. "Small, quaint and interesting" exists a couple of miles north, and we can visit there in 10 minutes. Let that atmosphere be where it is and let's create our own atmosphere here.

I think that downtown has been hanging on by its fingernails for so long that an extraordinary injection of creativity is necessary to bring it to life. If private citizens are willing to risk their money to accomplish this, it is fine with me.

I believe that Clearwater will proudly have one of the most beautiful and creative downtowns in all of Florida within five short years.

Largo policies are harsh on businesses

Re: City widens annexation bid, story, July 26.

It looks like Largo's tax wolves are once again out of their posh City Hall dens in search of their favorite prey: commercial property in the unincorporated community of High Point.

Considering the city's exorbitant taxes, sky-high franchise fees on electricity (16 percent) and excessive licensee fees that accelerate even higher the more employees you have, I find it hard to believe any business would want to willingly join the city of Largo.

According to the article I saw in the Times, Largo has received 26 voluntary petitions to join the city from the High Point area. What are these business people in High Point thinking?

Wilcox must do more to ensure safety

Re: Mom presses schools to solve bus problems, story, July 29.

Thanks to an alert mom, 60 school-age children from the Curlew City area will not be subjected to crossing eight lanes of traffic on Curlew Road at U.S. 19.

Why did the discontinuance of school bus service there occur in the first place? Because school superintendent Clayton Wilcox is all words and no follow-up. He has replaced and reorganized the school transportation department and has chastised the bus route software designs, but he has never walked the bus routes since the two tragedies of last school year. He does not follow through to see that his words are acted upon.

Pushing a pencil and taking verbal action is not enough for a school superintendent. If, as Wilcox claims, schoolchildren's safety is his No. 1 concern, why has he not gotten his hands dirty in solving the bus stop problem? Because he is a talker, not a doer.

The school children need a superintendent who will do whatever it takes to ensure their safety. One who does not do this for the schoolchildren does not deserve to retain his position.

To Largo Middle, thanks for memories

For the first time in seven years, I did not welcome students to Largo Middle School this school year. I left the principalship to return to the classroom as a teacher. I am leaving Largo Middle School to spend more time with my family.

I enjoyed my term as principal, and leaving the school was a very difficult and emotionally trying decision for me. I will miss the many wonderful students, staff members, families and community supporters who made up our school community. I guess I will see if you can go home again. I do want to express my sincere gratitude for the support I received as principal of Largo Middle School.

The city of Largo, Largo Police Department, Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Durango's Steakhouse, Largo Rotary and Dial Directories are some of the community members that made so many wonderful contributions to the children of Largo Middle School. The support we received from the community helped make Largo a better place for students, staffers and families. These groups and others deserve recognition for the support they willingly gave to the school.

I would also like to thank the many students and parents, both past and present, for their financial and moral support. A school cannot be great without support from parents and students. Largo Middle School was fortunate to have so many supportive students and families.

The staff at Largo Middle School has a tremendous number of talented teachers, and they need to be recognized for the outstanding job they have done. These teachers embraced a diverse student population, and the school has earned above-average grades for the past five years. I was proud to work with so many great staff members and administrators.

Largo Middle is a fine school but, like all fine schools, it will continue to need support from students, parents, staff members, district staff and the community. A great school is not a principal, a teacher, a student, a parent or a community leader. It's everyone working together to make a school a safe learning place for all children. A school will never reach excellence without this valuable and needed support.

I will be returning to the classroom, but I want everyone to know how much I appreciated the support that I received from the Largo community. Largo is a community that cares about its children.

[Last modified August 4, 2005, 01:05:20]