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Though many may have forgotten, the folks in Gowers Corner have John Long to thank for the clean air they breathe and the absence of a 54-ton-per-day medical waste incinerator on their corner.
It was in the 1980s when regional medical waste incinerators were looked at as moneymakers. One was planned for Gowers Corner on land that was 54 percent wetlands and close to the Pithlachascotee River.
Residents tried many avenues, but it looked like the incinerator would be built. Enter then-Rep. Long and Sen. John Grant's aides. A bill was drafted to put a five-year moratorium on regional medical waste incinerators. It passed the House quickly. However, a glitch in the Senate appeared to stall the bill or defeat it completely. Long walked across to the Senate floor and, as I was told, whispered in the ear of Sen. Kirkpatrick. In a few minutes, the vote was called and the bill passed.
I can tell you there was jubilation in the streets of Kent Grove. Residents who thought that no one listened to the little folks quickly learned that people can make a difference. However, without the negotiation or whispering skills of John Long, we could have a medical waste incinerator on our corner. He will long be remembered by me and many others in our area. He was a man of many skills. He will be missed.
I wanted to voice my opinion on the Oct. 31 page showing a closeup and very personal picture of the grieving family of Dr. John Long. I find this offensive and am deeply saddened that the St. Petersburg Times would sink to this level.
I am a business owner who regularly advertises and subscribes to the St. Petersburg Times. If and when I renew my advertising/subscriptions, I will have to remember the front-page picture of the grieving Long family.
I enjoyed the article about Jim Owen and his blueberry farming in Northwest Pasco. I did take issue, however, with Frank Cianci's negative remarks. He stated, "It's a curiosity why anybody would buy land to put a blueberry farm when real estate around here is going crazy."
Not everyone is focused on making a quick buck. I remember when owning a piece of land and putting down roots (literally) was an admirable goal. Perhaps Mr. Cianci would prefer another golf-club subdivision instead?
Re: Murder trial centers on fellow jail mate, Oct. 28. I am truly puzzled at the judicial system's concern for the safety of a murder trial witness. Enough concern to release this person. If for some reason this person resorts to his accused ways while on bail, does this decision put any of the children of this county at risk? If anything happens while this accused offender walks the streets, can the state be responsible for allowing bail to be posted?
Is there a loophole? Was this release necessary? Releasing on bail an accused predator, who is looking at a sentence of more than 12 years, is absurd. Shame on the system.
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