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Patience fades as all sorts of bills increase

Sorry, folks. This is not one of the "I love Florida" stories that you all like to read - sunshine, palm trees, etc. Instead, it's a real down-to-earth story of storms, mildew, heat and the rising costs to live here.

Electricity going up, phone rates going up, and yesterday was the final clincher. Not only did my trash bill go up, but also my homeowners insurance was raised $400 after going up $300 last year. What has the insurance commissioner done for me? You want people to vote? Well, vote them all out.

After several phone calls, the answer was, "Well, we had a rate hike" (again) because of the hurricanes. No one told me. So, because of the violent storms here in Florida for six months of the year, I should be paying extra for lousy weather! If I'm going to have to pay for weather, at least I want it to be good.

I wish St. Petersburg Times columnist Howard Troxler would have better luck than me reaching the insurance commissioner and try to get some answers. It amazes me that the people of this state just lie back and let them keep raising car insurance, homeowners insurance rates, etc., and no one questions anything.

Well, I, for one, have had it. Make me a generous offer, and I'll be out of here on the next lightning bolt. You all can have it!

Seniors deserve a break; let us keep our homes

Re: Mobile home residents appeal for shelter, July 17.

What is happening to Pinellas County? We are tearing down our history to build high-rise condos and townhomes.

What about those of us seniors who have lived here most all our lives, such as myself with a small income, and some of us with major health problems, no health insurance and now having to worry about replacing our homes with mere crumbs of $2,000? Where can we go and replace our homes with that kind of money?

Are the priorities only for the rich and famous? Some of us low-income old-timers need a break. Please let us keep our homes. Have investors give us $25,000 or $30,000 to at least be able to replace our homes.

Drivers these days lack basics: courtesy, common sense

Because there seem to be a lot of letters about dumb drivers, I thought I would add some things.

Humans are pretty stupid. They have to be told not to stop on railroad tracks. Isn't that common sense? I see drivers stop on them anyway every day. Then there are the "Yield to pedestrians" signs. What's the other option? Hit them? Or yield to drivers making U-turns. Again, is the other option to hit them? And then there is the sign that drivers hardly ever have the common courtesy to obey: "Do not block intersection."

Regarding the bike rider who wrote to ask that drivers use their turn signals at all times, fat chance on that happening. Unfortunately, most drivers do not have common courtesy or common sense.

There was a time when children could play, run, be safe outdoors

Re: Cruise offers respite from soccer mom duties, guest column by James Pettican, Aug. 26.

I very much enjoyed this column and related to it. I remember as a child walking to the local stores and to school. At quite a young age of 6 or 7, I walked to the corner to buy milk or bread. Then, at 10 or 11, I crossed a street to "go to the store" for my mother or a neighbor. During elementary school (or, as I called it, "grammar school"), no one even thought of any other way but walking. High school meant a bus - a city bus, not a school bus.

Outdoor play was not organized or planned. We were just told to "go outside and play." Children today have lost the spontaneity of play. It's sad that children today have to be fearful when out on their own. It takes away from inventing new games and informal outdoor activities.

[Last modified September 11, 2005, 01:12:29]