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Reg Neighborhood

Protect the beauty of Bird Island

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published July 12, 2006

Re: Bird Island.

It is rather disturbing to me that there is any question that this island should be protected. Very often we hear about another species that is thought to be extinct or in trouble. This is the opportunity to make a small stand against continued encroachment of humans on wild areas.

This island and the birds that roost on it are a jewel among our community. This island affords protection from many nest-robbing predators like raccoons and snakes. I hope the city and county commissioners will shelter this island from being just another piece of land in St. Petersburg that used to be beautiful.

Nikolaus Rolfe, St. Petersburg

No problem if fee goes toward boating

Re: Boaters pay to play, July 5.

The boat docks at Fort De Soto are the best around. I don't mind paying the fees to use the docks there and in the other Pinellas County locations, if the money is going to maintenance or additional docks.

If any part of this money is going to the upkeep of other park facilities, such as jogging/bicycle trails, fishing piers, picnic tables, etc., then I feel that the people using those things should contribute, too.

Mary Hardy, Largo

Disagree with fee? Launch elsewhere

Re: Boaters pay to play.

The Polk County boat owner and others who find the $5 fee absurd at Fort De Soto should then launch their boats from wherever they live.

They are using the park's facilities in Pinellas County and it's a little enough price to pay for their pleasure. Even movie tickets cost more.

Janet Fowler, St. Petersburg

Compare cost of boat vs. launch fee

The definition of ridiculous:

People launching a $100,000-plus boat whining about a $5 launch fee.

Bob Lasher, Clearwater

Dog owner should have known better

Re: Dog taking walk at park is snatched by gator, June 27 and Lator, Gator, June 28.

While I feel badly for the little dog that was attacked by a gator, I feel no such emotion for dog owner Al Clark, for two reasons.

One, all of our county parks have signs saying that dogs must be leashed. There's even a maximum length the leash is supposed to be.

It does not say "all dogs except small dogs" or "all dogs except cute fuzzy dogs." It says all dogs, period.

Secondly, it is widely known and publicized not to walk dogs near a body of freshwater. The fact is that in all probability, where there's freshwater in Florida, there are probably alligators. Even if you've not seen one in a particular lake or pond, gators do move around. Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned here.

Susan Williams, Largo

The shore and lake are not safe

Re: Dog taking walk at park is snatched by gator, June 27.

My heart goes out to Al Clark for the loss of his beloved dog FiFi at Ridgecrest Park. Plain and simple, alligators love dogs.

As a dog owner myself, I plead with all dog owners to keep their pets as far away from freshwater lakes and shorelines as possible.

Diane G. Langston, Clearwater

Developers' greed all too common

I am very concerned about what all the developers are doing to our land. Every piece of land available or vacant is being sucked up by the greedy developers, not to mention getting rid of all the mobile home parks as well. Where in tarnation are these people supposed to go? The townhomes, condos and high-rises are not the solution. Who can afford those prices? Never mind the insurance, which is another big problem.

The developers and councils call for meetings. Why do they waste our time? It's already a done deal. They don't listen to the people because if they did, why are all these mall and mini-malls crowding us common people out? You want us to preserve water, but how can we when you keep building and tearing down and then building some more?

Why don't these developers build moderately priced homes for the elderly and low-income families? Is it because they won't fill their pockets with all that profit? People should stop and think and try to get out of Florida because it's getting too expensive.

So, don't waste my time or all the other taxpayers' time to give you our opinion, as it doesn't work. The politicians, council members and all who run the city are surely aware of all this but have to let the developers win all the time. They are thinking of themselves and their greed, and not the less fortunate ones.

Alice M. Sterling, St. Petersburg

Come downtown and enjoy fireworks

Re: July Fourth.

Thanks to all the people who worked the Fourth of July so we could enjoy the festivities and fireworks.

I heard some people didn't come because they were concerned about getting stuck in downtown traffic.

If you live close enough, leave the car at home and walk or bicycle to the event. A few people used inline skates. That might be tricky because some businesses don't let you come in wearing the skates. Maybe you could find retractable wheels or carry street shoes.

Other people carpool, park a few miles from downtown and walk or bicycle the rest of the way. One couple said they drove from Clearwater and bicycled the last 4 miles.

If you're concerned about traveling in the dark by yourself, leave the event immediately, travel on main roads with plenty of people and lights, and keep looking around to be aware of your surroundings. Walk or bicycle with a group of friends or neighbors.

Parking was easy. The city of St. Petersburg provided portable bicycle racks.

I watched the fireworks from the end of the Pier. Using walking and bicycling, it took me only 20 minutes to get out of downtown. The cars were going nowhere slowly. Then I zipped on home.

Kimberly Cooper, St. Petersburg

School's out and so are the kids

When I was a kid, as soon as school was out in the spring, there was always a big public relations emphasis: SCHOOL'S OUT! WATCH OUT FOR THE KIDS.

It was on buses, taxicabs, billboards and other public places reminding everyone - not just the people with children, but also the people without kids - that there will be a lot of kids out on the streets during the day, and that their safety should be our No. 1 concern.

It occurred to me that the school reader boards could be used to inform the entire county and remind everyone in the neighborhood that SCHOOL IS OUT. SLOW DOWN. WATCH OUT FOR OUR KIDS! It would be a constant reminder to all our citizens to keep our eyes peeled for the kids.

Cindy Trumble, St. Petersburg

[Last modified July 11, 2006, 22:57:13]