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It's too soon to measure effect of rising minimum wage

Re: Minimum rage, Nov. 27.

It is probably much too early to gauge the true impact of Florida's recent minimum wage increase, though your story seems to close the book on the subject only six months after the increase went into effect.

There has not yet been any unbiased look at how Florida's minimum wage increase is affecting our state economy, and the economist cited in your story was a supporter of the increase. But even supporters of the increase admitted its impact would be well over $400-million. It is unreasonable to expect such an impact to be "modest" when it is guaranteed to escalate every year.

By indexing Florida's minimum wage to inflation, our state has effectively created a constant upward pressure on consumer prices. In the long term, that will eat up much of the wage gains low-income workers receive. Using an index to automatically increase wages, without regard to actual labor market conditions, creates a self-perpetuating cycle of rising labor costs, reduced job growth, and constant inflationary pressure.

Retailers benefit from a healthy state economy, as do all the residents of our state. The Florida Retail Federation, which represents employers from the smallest to the largest, opposed the increase because we believed it would be harmful to the state's economy.

Price increases and unfilled jobs, both documented in your story, are exactly the kinds of harmful economic effects we predicted.

Crist is doing the right thing

Re: Chain Gang Charlie, editorial, Dec. 3.

Your editorial criticized Attorney General Charlie Crist for trying to keep the press from seeing autopsy and other photos of Carlie Brucia after she had been killed. He is doing the right thing.

No one besides the prosecutors, the judge and jury should see these pictures. Carlie's family has suffered enough. If these pictures ever became public and somehow showed up on the Internet, their nightmare would never end.

Not only do I support Charlie Crist's efforts to seal these pictures, I thank him for doing it. If the Supreme Court could rule that these photographs should not be shown outside of court, the families of crime victims, especially those of murdered children - my child - would be protected.

My daughter, Sara Lunde, was murdered in April, and the trial of her accused killer, David Onstott, will contain evidence that I want no one other than those involved in his trial to see. I would not pass out family photos to any stranger to look at. Why in the world would I want the media people, whom I don't know, to view this material, to view crime scene and autopsy photos? Even if most reporters are honest, it only takes one to put these pictures on the Internet.

This is sickening to my family, friends and me, and to all who loved and knew Sarah. We are all suffering enough without my daughter's last photos being viewed by outsiders. I trust the judge, the lawyers and the jury to do what's right.

Troubling tactics at sea

Re: Felon helps draft grouper rules, Dec. 8.

I just wanted to thank you and Terry Tomalin for bringing these issues to the public's attention.

If it wasn't for the Times and Terry Tomalin we wouldn't know anything about these dirty back-room tactics the long-liners are using. I thought the poacher being hired to observe the long-liners was bad, but this is even worse. I can't imagine what else they are up to. Keep up the good work.

A scarlet-letter mentality

Re: Felon helps draft grouper rules.

Here we go with the "scarlet letter" mentality again. I am not a legal scholar, so perhaps I am mistaken in my belief that if a person convicted of a felony has served his time and has committed no further offenses he should no longer be considered a felon.

I have subscribed to the Times for years, but have observed much prejudice in your articles in the past several months.

Hypocrisy is the sticking point

Re: Judgment with a double standard, letter, Dec. 6.

The letter writer asks why members of the gay community can stand up for certain recognitions and can be called brave or admirable, but if people in the religious community do the same, they are quickly shot down, declared bigots, called judgmental or intolerant.

The answer is simple. If you belong to the religious community, then practice your religion. Don't be a bigot, judgmental or intolerant. In short, don't be a hypocrite.

Donations make a difference

Re: Charities desperately seeking holiday donations, Dec. 3.

Thank you for printing this story. It spoke pointedly about the tremendous need for donations of clothes, toys and cash to help children and families in our communities. As your story implied, donations are also down for the 30-plus Boys & Girls Clubs in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. These clubs provide after-school and summer day camp programs to more than 11,000 young "members" mostly from disadvantaged circumstances every year. The clubs also touch an additional 15,000 youth in outreach programs.

Club staff members work throughout the year to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Some area citizens who were impacted by the clubs in their youth are Dr. Clayton Wilcox, Fred Bullard, Carl Crawford, Derrick Brooks and Shaun King. As these men can attest, gifts to Boys & Girls Clubs can help to change the world one child at a time.

Lifestyles Family Fitness Centers throughout Florida are collecting toys and clothing for Boys & Girls Club members, and you may visit one of their centers to donate. You may also send cash donations to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, 5111 66th St. N., Suite 200, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 or call (727) 546-1032 for more information.

Famous neighbors

Re: Dagwood and Blondie.

I have to commend this paper for having the best comics section that I have ever seen. Imagine my surprise at learning that the most famous couple in the comics world lives among us.

Last Wednesday, the strip featured Dagwood dealing with city bureaucrats. The city seal behind the counter was "The City of Clearwater, Florida."

I hope this does not start a trend. There is an empty house on my street and I don't want Dennis Mitchell moving in!

[Last modified December 12, 2005, 10:02:36]