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Dunedin puts blot on Main Street

Congratulations, Dunedin commissioners, for making a horrible decision to approve the monster Stirling Place development for Main Street at Broadway. The sign showing the rendering is now in place and even the sign is huge.

What were the commissioners thinking?

Surely not about preserving the quaint, unique and hometown feel that exists. You know, the one that residents love and magazines write about.

I also wonder why anyone would put a building of this size at the far west end of town to overshadow the view of the water from the other end of Main Street.

Not only have the commissioners ruined downtown's atmosphere, they are trying to play with a Barbie in a miniature dollhouse. It just doesn't fit.

Pam Lewis, Dunedin

Power outage bodes ill for storm response

I write to alert my fellow residents of Pinellas County to the befuddled response of "our" local power company.

A brief yet intense thunderstorm Tuesday afternoon knocked out power to 85 houses in the Countryside area of Clearwater.

Yes, only 85 houses. Yet it took our regressive power company 10 hours to restore power. Ten hours to restore power following a brief storm. Please note, our section of Countryside has underground utilities, which are reputed to reduce or minimize power outage problems.

The power company did respond to this outage in a fairly timely manner. There were a number of trucks in the area. I counted as many as nine employees at one location. One person seemed to be working and eight were "supervising."

If it takes 10 hours to restore power to such a small area after a brief thunderstorm, how long will it take to recover from a substantial storm (i.e. hurricane-force winds) with wider damage?

I encourage my fellow residents to minimize their expectations in terms of how long it will take to restore power.

If last night is any indication, "our" power company has done little to prepare for inclement weather. Perhaps it is not as important as directing lobbyists' efforts in Tallahassee.

Neil Cribb, Clearwater

City Players deserve support from community

One of the significant traditional theater events in Clearwater is the annual musical presented by City Players Inc. at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

On July 21-23, a cast of 75 members (including eight children, ages 4-17) will present The Sound of Music. Clearwater, which originally sponsored the programs, has had to back out of the organization because of budget cutbacks, which I can understand. However, this leaves the City Players now undertaking to raise all funds for the production.

While the cast is made up of volunteers, and other people volunteer to build sets, paint scenery, find props, build props, make or procure costumes, stage-manage, sell and market tickets, the fact remains that there are major expenses for music, musicians, rent for a practice hall, building materials, costume materials, printing of programs, etc., to be met.

We faithful attendees of these amazing and uplifting performances are indebted to Betty Jane Pucci, City Players' director. This enthusiastic and talented group of performers deserves our support and needs it to continue this rich, ongoing tradition in Clearwater.

I am sending what I can - a $100 donation - and I hope many readers of this letter will join me. Make a check payable to City Players Inc. and send it to 3038 Longbrooke Way, Clearwater, FL 33760. We've received a great deal over the years; it is time to give back.

Katharine Griffith, Clearwater

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[Last modified July 13, 2006, 00:04:43]