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Belleair residents can save their 'White Queen'

This Wednesday is a very important date for Belleair and for the beautiful Belleview Biltmore Hotel. A second reading of the preservation ordinance drafted to permanently save the Biltmore Hotel will be presented during the Town Commission meeting. I strongly urge you to attend and support the passage of this very important ordinance.

If passed, in 30 days, the ordinance will go into effect to provide permanent legal action to save the famous "White Queen of the Gulf" forever.

Through the efforts of the Web site www.SaveTheBiltmore.com the preservation ordinance was recently strengthened with an amendment to help save the interior of the Biltmore.

Normally, preservation ordinances only provide protection for the exterior of a historical building. However our nonprofit organization, Save the Biltmore Preservationists, feels that protecting the very historical interior of this magnificent hotel is also very important. For anyone entering the Biltmore, walking down the lovely east and west wings or strolling the 2 miles of corridors inside is a rich historical experience because of the beautiful Victorian interior. We want to thank the Town Commission and Mayor George Mariani, who approved this amendment to further protect the interior of the Biltmore.

So mark your calendar now and bring all your friends and family to show your support at this week's town meeting, at 7:30 p.m. at 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Belleair. If the preservation ordinance is adopted, this will be a victorious day for everyone in Belleair, in Florida and for the Biltmore Hotel. So come to this very historical meeting.

Having more boat ramps would spread out traffic

Re : More ramps would worsen boat traffic, letter, Oct. 23.

I don't quite get the logic that more boat ramps will worsen boat traffic. Building one more ramp is going to influence someone debating whether or not to go boating? Or, following the logic of the letter, another ramp will create more boaters? That doesn't make sense.

More boat ramps would spread boat - and car and trailer - traffic out more than it is and could actually help traffic congestion on the water and land.

One last point to consider: The issue of building new ramps is not one of environmental concern as much as it is of money.

With construction changing the face of our beaches, don't think for a minute the local governments are more concerned with the environment than the tax rolls.

Checklist to ensure a safe Halloween

The Suncoast Safety Council would like to remind everyone that when purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, you should look for the label "flame resistant." Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source.

--For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights.

--To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.

--Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.

--Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or older, responsible child. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns where ornaments, furniture or clotheslines present dangers.

--Children should only go to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

--Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering.

With these safeguards in place, you can give your children a happy and safe Halloween.

If lighthouse shines, will condominiums be far behind?

As a native of Pinellas County, I was thrilled to read the Anclote Key Lighthouse has been restored, has a keeper and may start permitting monthly tours. But I can't help but wonder how long it will be before we see the first condo on the island.

Protecting nature leaves a legacy for many generations

We're so fortunate!

I was immediately touched and in awe as I stepped onto the boardwalk at the recently completed Wall Springs Park in Palm Harbor. We cannot begin to thank all the thoughtful, dedicated and unselfish people whose efforts, desire and work made it possible.

To save all of this "true Florida" natural land, with all its flowers, trees, water, smells, animals and birds, is just a godsend. Now our children and children's children will be able to see and love the parts of a true Florida we and past Floridians know.

You all had the guts to say no to all those "condo" aggressors. Please, please, please leave Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, Howard Park, the Pinellas Trail, Wall Springs Park, Brooker Creek Preserve and all the other locations set aside for nature protection and our love and enjoyment.

[Last modified October 25, 2005, 12:30:24]