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Letters to the Editor

Public outcry may spur Dunedin to remove eyesore

I and my family have lived on Scotland Street within walking distance of downtown Dunedin for more than five years. We love this town because of its small-town feel.

However, I am writing to complain of a problem with the eyesore of a building on the prominent corner of Scotland Street and Douglas Avenue at 726 Douglas Ave.

The monstrosity on this property used to be a beautiful old home that was used for businesses, but still kept its old home charm. It was an asset to the downtown area. But now, after the start of a mixed-use improvement project that was supposed to turn it into Dunedin Station Square, it has sat in a half-constructed state for more than a year.

I, like many freedom-loving Americans, am against eminent domain, but I have never seen a property an eminent domain action would be better suited for. This property reduces the value of anything within eyeshot of it. And due to the high amount of traffic passing this property, a significant amount of which I would bet are visitors to Dunedin's attractive downtown, the property reduces the value of Dunedin as a whole.

This property has sat stagnant long enough and has looked like a part of a New Jersey wasteland long enough. It's time something is done!

I wrote to Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth about this property weeks ago and have yet to receive a reply. Please publish this letter, as I believe a public outcry is the only thing that will get the government moving toward doing something about the problem this property creates.

Vincent Collogan, Dunedin

Ballfields column misses point

Re: Kids need place to play, but where will it be? Diane Steinle column, June 20.

Diane Steinle's column regarding the proposed soccer complex adjacent to McMullen-Booth Elementary School has totally missed the issue in the dispute regarding these fields.

As far as I know, no one disputes that the children of Tarpon Springs, Safety Harbor or unincorporated areas of Clearwater need a place to "play."

What we residents of the area around this site dispute is the illegal invasion of our property rights by the School Board loaning this land for purposes for which it is not zoned to people from other towns and areas of the county.

The land in dispute is zoned "AE" or Agricultural Estates. When we built our homes here we had every right to expect that our county officials would adhere to the zoning restrictions for this area and respect our rights as property owners, taxpayers and voters.

Now they want to put 60-foot, double-loaded stadium lights, restrooms, parking for hundreds of cars, concession stands, scoreboards, loudspeakers and all the noise, traffic, litter and everything that goes with a sports complex, 100 feet from my front door, seven days a week, until 10 p.m. or later.

If the children of Tarpon Springs, etc., need a place to play, let the residents of those areas find suitable places in their neighborhoods.

Robert Spraitz, Clearwater

Violating human rights is wrong

Re: Stress might have sent activist to brink, story, June 1.

After reading this story, it becomes clear to me that human rights are being violated and the violators are being rewarded!

On one hand, you have Charlie Plancon, mobile home activist, fighting his good fight for his home and family. On the next page, an editorial about another mobile home park getting ready to "bite the dust" and another owner, attorney, or developer getting ready to walk away, laughing all the way to the bank. How can this continue?

Why is this still legal? This, to me, can be compared to what was done to Native Americans in the past to make room for "development." Cheating people out of what is theirs, I suppose, never changes. It is just made "legal." How wrong.

F. Hatchett, Largo

Mobile home dwellers need a law

It's time to stop this wanton, dastardly, peremptory destruction of the common man's lifestyle. Mobile, law-abiding residences should have rights, granted by county and city laws.

This culture of heinous treatment against the dignity of mobile home retirees living in well-kept, quiet enclaves must be eliminated. It's a cancer on our civilization!

When decent folks are treated worse than animals, the conscience of people with brains should make appropriate decisions to perpetuate civil laws to protect humans.

Lester A. Kim, Largo

Editorial clarified Dunedin issue

Re: Change is right for Dunedin, editorial, June 18.

Your editorial regarding the search for a Dunedin city manager was superb !

The writer obviously was very astute concerning the real problems facing Dunedin and the need for a change of management philosophy.

Thank you for clarifying the real issue.

Jim Harpham, Dunedin

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[Last modified June 26, 2006, 07:01:05]