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Vote program pays dividends

Re: Voting as a veteran's legacy, editorial, May 14.

Thank you for such a positive editorial about our Vote in Honor of a Vet program. We are so proud of the outstanding results this program has garnered. As your editorial mentioned, more than 2,500 high school students registered to vote this school year alone while attending one of the vet programs.

Since its inception in 2002, nearly 13,000 students have registered to vote through this tremendously successful program.

What you might not realize is that another 600 to 1,000 students register to vote each year through school elections conducted by our staff. For example, 163 students registered to vote during a school election at Pinellas Park High School in March, and 135 students registered to vote during a Gibbs High School election earlier this month.

During this school year, more than 16,000 students - elementary through high school age - took an opportunity to vote on touch screen voting machines at their own schools as part of an ongoing voter education initiative. These students got involved in an election that meant something to them personally - maybe choosing a prom or homecoming king and queen, or maybe electing a new student government.

Even the elementary and middle school students made their opinions known in various fun elections to select their favorite game system, fast food or soft drink. At the same time, they experienced the excitement of participating in an election that mimicked the actual democratic process and had the chance to use a touch screen voting machine.

Now, when these students are old enough to vote, they will have memories of a positive voting experience that could make them more likely to go to the polls on Election Day. And what's even more exciting, they could be more likely to encourage their parents to vote now!

Thanks again for another good-news story.

Deborah Clark, Pinellas County supervisor of elections

Tap the brake and save on gasoline

Speed limits don't seem to mean anything. There definitely is a lack of enforcement of speed limits in the area. It doesn't matter if one is driving on Fourth Street N., 34th Street, First Avenue N or S, Gulf Boulevard, the Bayway or even I-275. Vehicles are constantly roaring by at 10 to 15 mph over the posted limits. One often meets them again at the next traffic signal.

Many of our main thoroughfares have traffic signals timed so that if one is driving at the speed limit, he can make all of the lights without stopping. This results in improved gas mileage. With fuel around $3 per gallon, a 10 percent increase in mileage is much more meaningful than searching around for the best gas prices.

R. A. Johnson, St. Petersburg

Surprise, surprise; more condos coming

I thought it somewhat fitting when last Friday one read the obituary of Dean Dewberry, the well-known and accomplished jazz pianist who played in the '60s and early '70s at the Russ-Mary Motel cocktail lounge on St. Pete Beach with vocalist Jan Sinnett.

That same week the former site of the motel, together with the adjoining two blocks, was cleared to make way for new condo construction.

Rod Johnson, St. Pete Beach

High school graduates shine indeed

What a lovely breath of sunshine and originality the portraits were in the May 3 Top of the Class article It's time for school leaders to shine by Times photographer William Dunkley. These young men and women will cherish their pictures for years to come, thanks to Dunkley and all the staff, especially Rita Farlow.

Good luck in all your endeavors, and may you graduates stay as dedicated and happy as you look today.

Barbara W. Turner, Pinellas Park

[Last modified May 17, 2006, 08:11:31]