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Traffic control gets little attention

Re: Officers step out in crosswalk crackdown.

The May 7 Neighborhood Times included an article by Jon Wilson citing the police crackdown on pedestrians in crosswalks. This has been a perennial St. Petersburg problem, along with the running of red lights, aggressive driving and pedestrian fatalities.

Mike Frederick, the city's neighborhood transportation manager, has stated the problem and the solution exactly right.

There are crosswalks in St. Petersburg that only someone with a death wish would venture to use. Pedestrians also should be educated in using the walk in front of them instead of taking an oblique crossing using two crosswalks.

According to Frederick, "A foot (step) in the roadway" is enough to require a motorist to yield to a pedestrian. The law will be enforced by the Police Department by the establishment of a special detail.

If this comes to fruition, knowing the lack of enthusiasm for traffic enforcement by the Police Department, then all posted speed limit signs (which often read "strictly enforced") should qualify for a special enforcement unit rather than being left to the judgment of police officers to give motorists 5 to 10 mph of leeway.

The once-a-week special detail to enforce the crosswalk regulation also could be used for a speeding detail to cover diverse locations at various times. I understand that this concept has been suggested to police Chief Chuck Harmon, who has rejected it.

Crosswalks and the hazards associated with them are a microcosm of the lack of adequate traffic control. Motorists know the odds of being ticketed for a traffic violation are in their favor based on the modicum of attention given to traffic control.

Traffic control is a key factor in maintaining quality of life in residential areas.

If there is a need for crosswalk enforcement, then there should also be enforcement in those areas with posted speed limits that state "strictly enforced."

I respectfully request a response to this suggestion.

George Elias, St. Petersburg

Don't support 'professionally homeless'

Re: Tax would help end homelessness, letter, May 10.

The idea that a broad-based tax on food and beverage sales would somehow go a long way toward alleviating the homeless problem eludes me. One must first consider that we have two categories of homeless.

First are the working poor, who are often displaced from their dwellings by job loss, illness or injury. Many people in this category are trying as best they can to care for themselves and their families.

The second - and by far the larger category - are the professionally homeless, those who have no desire to be productive members of society or conform to its basic human standards.

Now, the displaced working poor should certainly get a helping hand from society, as it is needed. However, a tax that would benefit and encourage the professionally homeless would hardly be a step toward ending homelessness.

I have several charities that I support, and they know they can count on me, but that doesn't mean I favor rewarding those who choose to dwell in the gutters of Pinellas County.

Florence Hyde, St. Petersburg 

Chaboudy embodied Humane Society

Re: Pinellas Humane Society suddenly loses director, May 9.

It was with considerable shock and sadness that I read of the resignation of Rick Chaboudy as director of the Humane Society of Pinellas County.

I have lived in Pinellas County for almost 30 years, and I am just one of the many people who have supported Rick's work to save homeless animals.

It is hard for me to believe that someone with such a strong reputation as an animal rights protector would resign from his position after more than 19 years without a good reason.

I don't know why he stepped down, but I do know that he has dedicated his life to protecting animals. I have been comfortable giving my support to the Humane Society during these many years because I believe in Rick's dedication and leadership.

To me, Rick Chaboudy is the Humane Society of Pinellas County. I can't imagine the Humane Society without him.

He is the essence of that institution. His history with the Humane Society speaks volumes about his dedication; much of this history has been reported by the St. Petersburg Times over the years.

I think there must be more to this story than we know, and I hope that you, as the editor, will make every attempt to get to the truth of the story of why he resigned. I am willing to bet it was not his choice.

I have met Rick casually on several occasions and he is knowledgeable, more sincere than anyone I know and totally dedicated to what he has given his life for: the protection of those without a voice.

Candace Sanchez, Palm Harbor

Keep backing the Humane Society

Re Pinellas Humane Society suddenly loses director.

As a volunteer of the Humane Society of Pinellas I was just as shocked as the community was when I heard about Rick Chaboudy's departure.

I will miss his humor and definitely his dedication to the animals. I don't think a week went by that we were not hearing about another rescue that Rick and the Humane Society were involved in.

I ask the community not to give up on the Humane Society of Pinellas.

They are moving full speed ahead and have plans to continue the tireless work that Rick did. It will be hard to fill his shoes, but I believe that HSP will choose the right person to do it.

As with anything in life, there is always room for improvement. I pray that the community keeps supporting the shelter so it can continue to improve and keep up its good work.

Rick, you will definitely be missed.

Belinda Blease, Largo

PARC is a blessing for children, adults

As an eternally grateful mother, I want the community to know what a blessing the Pinellas Association for Retarded Children has been and continues to be.

How fortunate we are to have this regional program for developmentally disabled children and adults. Its diversified program is provided with loving attention and concern.

Ruth Tracy, St. Petersburg

IHOP in Midtown? Not quite

Re: IHOP will add to Midtown meal options.

In last Sunday's edition of the Neighborhood Times you identified the new IHOP construction at 42nd Avenue S and 34th Street S as being in "Midtown."

How did you get that so wrong? It is at the entrance to Broadwater Estates in the southern end of St. Petersburg.

Our neighborhood association is working hard to bring about a sense of uniqueness and special identity to our area, and it is disheartening to see our paper relocate it to a completely different area of the city.

Cheryl Cornelius, St. Petersburg

[Last modified May 21, 2006, 09:34:42]