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Killing of gators robs us of things that make Florida special

Re: The gator terminator, May 27.

I was sickened to read about the methods used by trapper Mickey Fagan in killing the "nuisance" gators. The photo of those six dead gators made me very sad.

I have seen the "lynch mob mentality" and macho posturing of the local men that surrounds these gator captures - lots of laughing and crude remarks. It seems to bring out the worst in people.

I have been told to "get a life" because I was not in favor of the capture. I tried to educate my neighbors by distributing the brochure from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on "Living with Alligators." I even wrote an article in the local newsletter advising people to keep their dogs on a leash, to not let pets go down to the water's edge, and to not feed the gators, etc. Some took the brochure others refused - they "already knew all about gators."

The situation seems hopeless, like a scene from a Carl Hiaasen novel, where the people won't be happy or feel safe until all of Florida is sanitized and paved over, stripped of every feature and creature that once attracted us to this beautiful state.

Donna L. Doucette, Pinellas Park

Keep gators out of human habitat

Recently the Times offered supportive comments regarding the protection and proper use of the Brooker Creek Preserve in Pinellas County. With statements like "assure the preservation ... of the native plant communities and wildlife," and "nonintrusive human access," the Times made it clear that this 8,500-acre preserve is, by and large, off limits to human use.

Certainly showing respect and stewardship of our natural resources is a prudent course, but somehow this mind-set must also apply in reverse.

Why are so many Floridians subjected to living in the proximity of dangerous wild animals such as alligators? Honestly, the state and nation at large have gone cuckoo to allow environmental advocates to remotely suggest that alligators should in any way be allowed into human communities. That we should live with them side-by-side and respect their diverse habitat needs is simply environmentalist hokum.

The alligator attacks of recent weeks are intolerable. These dangerous wild animals should be either relocated to the Everglades or removed from human communities.

If Brooker Creek is not intended for human access, as the Times advocates, then Florida's established human communities must be off limits to deadly, wild alligators. How could rational people accept anything less?

Richard K. Lumpkin, Tampa

Educate yourself about wildlife

Re: The gator terminator, May 27.

Florida has lots of lakes. People like living in houses on lakes. Alligators live in lakes. If you have children or pets and you want to live on a lake in Florida, it is your choice.

If you do make that choice, it is also your responsibility to educate yourself about these reptiles that have been a natural part of Florida long before humans showed up. If you feel threatened by them, then don't buy a house on a lake.

With the rampant development in this state, the alligators don't have many places to go where they won't be in contact with humans. It is amazing how selfish people have become when it comes to wildlife in Florida. I don't care if you didn't have them up north - we have them here so deal with it!

Rick Johnson, Lithia

Gator hunter needs a change of heart

My name is Natalia Hall and I am a 10-year-old kid. I am going to express my feelings about The gator terminator. I love animals and would never even think about killing, putting them into any danger or hurting them.

I think the process in which he kills the animals is - it is so bad I can't explain it. I mean he goes to the lake, puts out bait and kills them. He doesn't even know if he has the right alligator because there is more than one alligator in a lake.

Before we know it, alligators are going to be extinct in some places because of the "big bad gator terminator." I think he should have a change of heart.

Natalia Hall, Dunedin

Preserve nature, don't kill it

I just wanted to write a letter concerning the article about the alligator trapper. I was disgusted to see the dead animals (and one on the way to die) in the paper.

The alligators are only becoming a problem because of ignorant people feeding them and trying to get close to them. They are naturally scared of us and tend to stay in their own element, but now they have no choice because they have houses being built in all of their back yards.

I understand that these homes need to be built, but there is a fix to this problem: Don't bother them, they won't bother you! This is insane to go around killing these poor things when they were here so long before us.

Instead of killing nature, let's try preserving it.

Kristen McCutcheon, New Port Richey

Accept Florida, or leave

Re: The gator terminator.

Those who move to our state and complain about the wildlife, the insects, the heat and humidity need to return to their state of origin.

We "Floridians" will be grateful for the quiet. And the alligators can continue to sun on the banks in peace.

Glenda Pittman, St. Petersburg

Green spaces should be preserved

Re: Pump out a nature preserve for golf? That's Pinellas, May 25.

I want to thank Howard Troxler for writing about this issue. Unfortunately, I must agree with his assessment that "that's Pinellas.''

I live in the East Lake Woodlands community and am a member of the golf course club that would "benefit" from the Brooker Creek water. I am appalled that this has even been raised as a reasonable solution.

I will sign a petition, be involved with any citizens' group that is willing to take a stand against this lack of vision by our government and the "public" utility that purports to represent the people of this county.

Brooker Creek is far more important to the citizens of Pinellas than a green golf course. Please keep this issue in front of the public. Please publish any county government e-mail addresses that we should be voicing our opinions to. Any public leaders that should be involved in this issue, please take a stand now. We need you now more than ever to save our green space in this county, and I am not referring to golf courses.

The generations that follow are depending on us.

Kay Warring, Oldsmar

County officials go too far

Re: A preserve, except for when they say it isn't, May 28.

Kudos to Howard Troxler for his article exposing the antics and buffoonery of our government and water department in Pinellas County. They took an inch and now they want a mile.

To our government officials: Stop abusing our preserve now! Next they will want to put a 40-acre parking lot in the preserve for Pasco and Hernando county commuters.

James Kramer, Clearwater

[Last modified May 30, 2006, 05:57:39]