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Mind their manners, Shephard's

I am a property owner at 800 Bayway Blvd. on Clearwater Beach. I am also a Realtor. Shephard's waterfront restaurant is growing more popular on the weekends and causing many issues for the owners and visitors of Clearwater Beach.

On the weekend mornings, I could collect more than enough trash from the guests who frequent Shephard's to fill a large trash bag - such items as bottles, cans, plastic cups, lemon wedges, used condoms, wet toilet paper, etc. I have witnessed public urination in the early evenings along Bayway Boulevard. I do not know if the owners of Shephard's are aware of the many problems their establishment causes others.

There are also many parking issues. For example, one of their patrons removed a no-parking sign in front of the Clearwater Yacht Club next to our property. The gentleman obviously thought, oh well, I need a place to park, and simply removed the sign.

Many property owners are concerned that lemon wedges are scattered along the sidewalk, which leads people to believe that patrons are leaving the premises with alcohol.

I, for one, believe the owners of Shephard's should be responsible for the trash pickup on the weekends. Bayway Boulevard is primarily condos. Why should we, as taxpayers, be responsible for picking up their garbage?

I believe more law enforcement is in order, either on foot or bicycle, during peak seasons.

Clearwater Beach is a wonderful place for all to enjoy, responsibly.

Laura DeVinney, Palm Harbor

Churches should help sheriff

Re: Churches in Partnership lacks support, letter, June 30.

I find the letter by John Rockwell hard to believe. He stated that only 13 churches answered the call to participate in the Pinellas County sheriff's Churches in Partnership Program with our local churches to feed and assist the needy of our area.

I did not see the original story. However, in May I helped with National Prayer Day, and I know that we contacted more than 500 churches in the local area. That's why I was amazed when he stated only 13 churches agreed to participate in the program. What does that say about goodwill toward our fellow man?

Our church leaders should hang their heads in shame. Somehow, we as professing Christians have failed to live up to what we profess.

Every day in our daily newspaper, we see help needed articles, and yet when the sheriff tries to give us a chance to help those in need, we refuse. I'm sure many will say they didn't refuse, but if we didn't say we'd help, it's the same thing.

I realize that some churches already participate in an outreach program and may feel they can't do more. But I'm sure if each church had a collection box for the needy, they'd soon find some extra dollars and some extra goods to donate to the partnership program.

We are all so blessed, so how can we go to bed at night and rest knowing others are hungry and many homeless, and still refuse to help?

I have found that "true happiness usually adds and multiplies, if divided with others." I pray all churches in our area will rethink their decision and contact the sheriff and give the help that's needed. If we claim to be Christians, we must help those in need.

Fran Glaros, Clearwater

Our Earth deserves better

I am saddened to see the continued abuse of our Earth.

On June 30 alone, I saw three articles in the St. Petersburg Times that broke my heart: 1. The "conservative" politicians (maybe they should look up the meaning of that word) make it legal to drill for oil just off our beautiful coast; 2. Irresponsible pet owners allow dogs to kill shore birds and ruin nests on barrier islands (what little is left of them); 3. A world record shark carrying 50 shark pups is killed for a so-called sport. If that were a dog or horse or other animal, he would be in jail for animal cruelty.

In all types of religions, there are references to guarding and conserving our Earth. The Bible says we are to be stewards of the Earth.

Maybe global warming and increased hurricane activity are ways the Earth is fighting back. I pray there will be something left for future generations.

Keith Thompson, Oldsmar

[Last modified July 12, 2006, 06:42:56]