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Power, greed driving many decisions of commission

As an active participant in the opposition to a rezoning in our neighborhood, I have gained some insight into what is driving the recent decisions from our County Commission: cash and cronyism.

There are a couple of power brokers in the county who control significant inflows to the incumbent commissioners' campaigns. Our commissioners are engaged in the pay-to-play game. They are under the influence and addicted to "bundled" donations. Bundled donations are coordinated efforts to circumvent the legal limit of $500 - like the $5,000 that Commissioner Susan Latvala received from the lap-dance lobby.

I was at the hearing when power-broker attorney Tim Johnson persuaded the commission to accept his eviction plan. It is one thing when pay-to-play drives commercial and corporate decisions, but quite another when it is at the root of evicting someone from their home. While I respect private property rights of park owners, mobile home owners have paid the mortgages of the park owners, sometimes for decades, and they deserve to be treated differently from someone illegally parked.

The commission's rush to appease its largest contributors in its race to capitalize on the real estate bubble is wrecking the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents. It is only a matter of time before judgment-impaired commissioners, drunk on large campaign contributions, begin condemning properties for the benefit of developer friends.

Progress Energy shows incompetence with trims

Our back yard will not be the same for many years to come, thanks to Progress Energy!

Two weeks ago, Progress Energy sent a tree-trimming crew to our street to trim tree branches away from their power lines.

We have two giant live oaks that grace our back yard, providing shade and a picturesque setting that we and our friends enjoy. We keep these trees trimmed and are naturally very protective of them because of their value and the comfort they provide.

When leaving to run an errand, my wife spoke with the person she thought was the crew leader. She told him not to trim our trees because they are not near the power lines and because we spend our own money keeping them in proper shape. Therefore, the trees do not need to be cut.

Upon her return, the crew had left our street. Our trees were butchered - cut back beyond the Progress Energy easement. Also, one of our crepe myrtles had been crushed down to the ground.

When we contacted Progress Energy, we were directed to the person in charge of the company's tree maintenance. His response to our complaint was, "The crew probably did not speak English." Therefore, they did not understand what my wife had instructed them regarding our trees.

Progress Energy has to be the most incompetent public utility known to mankind. But what can we do? The damage is done and it will take years to correct.

Thanks, Progress Energy. I'll send you more money next month.

If nature's not your goal, keep out of nature park

Re: People need to speak out on changes at Chesnut Park, letter, Jan. 12.

I am writing in response to letter writer Phil Tropea, who believes that all of the "predators" (wild dogs, alligators) should be removed from our parks.

First of all, the wild dog problem at Wall Springs Park was effectively handled by the county, which I commend them for. Secondly, how can you go to a nature park and then complain about the nature that is there?

There are so many beautiful parks in North Pinellas alone that everyone can visit at little or no cost: Fred Howard Park, Anderson Park, Chesnut Park, Hammock Park, Wall Springs Park, Brooker Creek Preserve, Honeymoon Island/Caladesi, etc. Most people forget that these parks are not only there to serve as recreation for people, but as preserves and protection to Florida's natural ecosystems and environments (salt marshes, mangrove swamps, hammocks, pine flatwoods, etc). If not for these parks, those "predators" would be making a home in your neighborhood or your yard. Be thankful there is a place where such animals can live undisturbed, because I can imagine that an alligator with no home that you would find in your yard would be much more aggressive than one you would see in a park.

Sir, alligators are a natural part of Florida. Either get used to it, or move on north.

[Last modified January 19, 2006, 01:48:21]