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Intersection should get signal improvements

Re: Nervous left turners have to share green, story, Sept. 12.

After reading the article, I could not believe what I had just read. I completely disagree with Keith Crawford, Florida Transportation Department signal systems engineer.

I am a resident of the Amberlea subdivision in Dunedin, and I can most certainly attest to the residents quoted in the article concerning the difficulty navigating a left turn onto State Road 580.

Mr. Crawford said the intersection does not warrant a split-phase signal and that there has not been an accident in 31/2 years from someone turning left out of Amberlea.

This type of thought and mentality is exactly what is wrong with Pinellas County. Pinellas' roads, which are already inundated and hazardous with delayed construction, are becoming busier and busier each day from commuters traveling all across the bay area.

Mr. Crawford, why not take a proactive approach and place a light at the intersection to avoid an accident? It does not matter that an accident has not occurred in awhile. There is great potential for a severe accident. Why not take pre-emptive measures to preserve a life?

Having a light allowing one side to proceed at a time is not a bad idea and would not cause an accident unless someone ran a red light. There are hundreds of similar intersections in Pinellas that have lights with a turn signal.

Mr. Crawford, I ask you to take serious thought and reconsider your decision.

Signal upgrade a matter of common sense

Re: Nervous left turners have to share green, story, Sept. 12.

The residents in the Amberlea subdivision in Dunedin appear to be living in a Catch-22 situation. Much to their credit, there have been no accidents in 31/2 years. Therefore, the Florida Department of Transportation finds it unnecessary to install a left-turn arrow, which would allow the homeowners in Amberlea to safely turn onto State Road 580 from their neighborhood.

So maybe if the intersection were accident-ridden, the DOT would see the necessity of a left-turn arrow? Asinine!

Instead, a whole eight seconds will be added onto the green light time. Big deal! Is that really going to help those turning left in this dangerous intersection?

And what kind of cockamamie excuse is traffic systems engineer Keith Crawford trying to pass off, when he explained that a left-turn arrow could increase rear-end collisions? There is no reason why anyone should have to take their life into their hands when making a left turn onto a six-lane highway. We are now in the 21st century, and there are remedies available.

Does no one at the DOT have the common sense or humility to put themselves in the same hazardous situation?

Interfaith service unifies in time of need

On a recent Tuesday night there was a gathering of members of at least eight different religious traditions and their leaders in a truly heartwarming and spirit-nourishing moment Pinellas County should be proud of.

In the service, hosted by the Unitarian Universalists on Nursery Road in Clearwater, we heard a wonderful rainbow of voices trying to grapple with the emotions we all share as we have watched the devastation our gulf neighbors are experiencing.

The overall effect was one of soothing fears and heartache, but most important, reinforcing a commitment to help with the immediate heavy lifting needed now and in the long term.

Bridges built of cement and steel as well as human kindness need to be made. It was clear that walls of isolation need to come down, that we all speak with one voice and one heart - the human heart. Voices of faith came from the following traditions: Christianity, Baha'i, Buddhism, Scientology, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Unitarian Universalism and Unity. Did I leave anyone out?

Hearty congratulations to all the leaders and performers who gave their impressive time, talent and caring to this event. May there be more in the future. Those of us in the audience certainly left the better for the experience. We can move ahead with more hope and dedication. It is clear we don't all have to think alike to love alike.

Thank you. It was a moment at which I was utterly proud and grateful to live in Pinellas County. Now on to the tasks at hand, helping our neighbors!

[Last modified September 13, 2005, 01:45:22]