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It's called a preserve for good reason

Re: Friends get feisty about Brooker Creek Preserve, editorial, Aug. 23.

As a "Friend of Brooker Creek," I am feeling mighty feisty right now. It has taken years for this issue to reach a boiling point and to receive the attention it deserves.

In light of the ongoing and seemingly continuous assaults on the Brooker Creek Preserve, I fully and wholeheartedly support efforts of the "Friends" to preserve the remaining portion of the preserve that hasn't already fallen victim to development. These and any future developments should be placed on land purchased solely for their use, not by carving off additional pieces of the Brooker Creek Preserve.

Pinellas County's arguments that these lands have already been impacted and are of little ecological value are irrelevant. Nature heals its own, and all it needs is time and our protection. Especially in light of this latest threat of a 70-mile sprawlway to connect Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough and Manatee counties, we as citizens need to insist on the highest levels of protection we can get for our preserves and parks.

Look for me out there at Brooker Creek. I'll be the one with a camera and binoculars enjoying the plants and wildlife that make up this beautiful slice of wild lands in our highly developed county.

Don Margeson, St. Petersburg

Bus rider story raises questions

Re: Just following rules? See where it can take you, Aug. 18.

The feature on the disabled bus passenger who could not maneuver her wheelchair on a regular PSTA bus and who was refused transit on DART because the chair was mechanized raises some interesting questions.

One question is whether this rule originates with the feds, who have a lot to say about transporting the elderly and disabled because of their support of the agency.

The second is a remark that seems to involve some dark humor. An agency spokesman said the passenger could not be transported because PSTA has an "obligation to the budget." Considering that these people are planning to increase the cost of the pass for all elderly and disabled 40 percent (along with similar increases across the board), it would seem these people have more than fulfilled their obligation to the budget.

John Royse, St. Petersburg

No one stopped to help young man

This letter is being written just to vent the emotions I feel as a result of something that occurred in your city on Monday, Aug. 14, around 9 p.m.

My grandson is in law school at Stetson University. He was driving to see a friend along Interstate 275. When he got off at Exit 22, his car hit standing water in the road, planed across the water, went spinning across the median and stopped when it hit a tree. His air bag deployed and though his car was destroyed, he was not seriously hurt, except for his eyes. The chemical in the air bag burned both of his eyes, and he could not see. He was terrified.

Not one other automobile stopped. No motorist called 911. No person bothered to check to see if he was injured. He sat in his car and blew his horn. He was completely blinded but finally got out of the car and felt around until he found his cell phone and called 911 himself. He was in a lot of pain and was taken to the hospital, where his eyes were washed and treated. Prior to this accident, he had perfect vision. He lost all vision for one day, but with time and treatment, expects to regain most of it.

There was no alcohol; there were no other people in the car and he was not cited. He simply planed across water and was very lucky that no other auto was involved. However, he was very unlucky to be living in a city without compassion. I find it inconceivable that other motorists ignored this young man's plight.

Lynda Bader, Summerville, S.C.

St. Pete Beach residents score a win

Re: St. Pete Beach gets to vote.

Congratulations to the residents of St. Pete Beach on their recent victory. Maybe growth in that area will finally be properly managed, and I hope the rest of the county follows suit.

Daniel Wickham, Brandon

[Last modified August 25, 2006, 12:20:29]