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Heading out? Leave dogs at home

My family and I were in St. Petersburg on Oct. 7 for the Komen Race for the Cure, and after the race we made our rounds at the Saturday morning open market. I was overwhelmed by the number of dogs in both places.

I mentioned to my family that I was going to count the dogs on our way back through the market. I counted 15 dogs and one cat; some people had two dogs, and several had three dogs with them. The one cat was in a basket, without a leash, on a motorized wheelchair. I don't know what the owner would have done if the cat had decided to take off because I assume the man was using a wheelchair because he was unable to walk.

My point is, animals at organized events are getting out of hand. When people are shoulder to shoulder, and dogs are face to face with children in strollers, you can't always know what a child will do that might upset a dog and what that dog might do to defend itself.

Also, when there is food involved, I feel people should use some common sense and leave their animals at home. Owners are not always looking at their dogs; they are looking at the many items for sale or talking to vendors, etc. They can go home after an event and take their dogs to the dog park or for a nice walk around the neighborhood. I even saw one lady holding her dog over a food counter. Sorry, that does not fly with me. I know dogs are now allowed at some outdoor restaurants; I hope it is in a designated area.

Thank you for letting me vent, but I truly feel something needs to be done. Believe me, we have had our beloved animals, but I would have never taken them to public places. I felt they were better off at home, in their own environment. I felt they would not be comfortable around large groups of people. I could always take them for a walk or run before I left or after I returned home.

Linda Poynter, Seminole

Give a pet a good, loving home

If everyone knew the tragedy of how many animals there are in shelters and rescue groups that need a good, loving home, they would be horrified.

Because the reason they are there is irresponsible people, it is up to the responsible ones to give them loving, forever homes.

Let us all find some room in our homes and more love in our hearts for just one more. If each of us were to adopt just one more, maybe that would actually put a dent in the pet overpopulation crisis. Not only that, but it would also make us feel really good to know that we have rescued an animal.

Belinda Blease, Largo

Florida: taxes, greed, overbuilding

We have recently moved to Florida from Maryland and were appalled when we received our TRIM notice.

In Maryland, we received the five following homestead credits: state homestead credit, county homestead credit, county property tax credit, special area homestead credit and municipal homestead credit.

Maryland helps the homeowner. In Florida I see government greed, free rein by developers who are also ruining the environment, congested roads and too many exemptions for those who don't deserve it.

Stop rebuilding the Pier. Who cares? It looks fine the way it is. Distribute that money among police and fire departments to make this a safer city.

Where are the priorities that should be helping the citizens and not the insurance companies or the builders?

Pat Fowler, St. Petersburg

Taxes feed ever-rising local budgets

It is incredible to me that our local and state politicians, including Gov. Jeb Bush, claim that they are doing all they can to contain tax increases. Some of these politicians claim that the tax increases mean not that they have increased taxes but that property values have increased.

I have examined the details of various local community and county 2006-2007 expense budgets. Many have increased 15 to 30 percent. One community published a table that showed that it has increased the spending budget 15 percent year after year since 1996. I suspect that many other communities have done the same.

It appears that our elected officials feel that any revenue increases that are the result of property value increases should be spent ... albeit for the good of developers and businesses and at the expense of the community residents and their quality of life.

Now I ask you, have your home budgets increased 15 percent every year since 1996?

Gerald P. Nassif, St. Pete Beach

Goodbye, neighbors; hello, pomposity

A Sept. 14 headline reads, Pinellas gets okay to market to gay tourists. Well, call me old-fashioned, but if I hadn't already had my mobile home snatched from under me by a greedy developer, I would be looking elsewhere.

Now for the goodbyes:

First and most important, goodbye and good luck to all the wonderful people we have met and come to know and love at Bay Pines Mobile Home Park. We will miss you so very much.

Goodbye and good riddance to the politicians of this city and county. I can only hope that you do attract the ultrarich assortment of people that you desire. I can't wait until you realize that you have the "upper crust" that you desire with nothing of substance under it.

Sadly, along with greed and pomp come a lack of foresight.

Karen Gordon, St. Petersburg

Sembler motive is simple

Re: Sembler plan denied, Sept. 17.

As a resident in Eagle Crest, I am offended by Craig Sher's comment that we do not understand this "complicated stuff." Mr. Sher, we do understand ... we understand that you want to make lots of money.

Amanda Young, St. Petersburg

Bring soccer to Al Lang Stadium

St. Petersburg will soon make a decision on the fate of Al Lang Stadium. With the Devil Rays leaving their spring training home, it seems that a part of national and local sports history will be lost. But I say, maybe not.

There is a movement here in the Tampa Bay area to bring back Major League Soccer to the area. The Mutiny was a good product that had a good fan base but played in an arena that was just too big and where they could never turn a profit. The team averaged 13,000 fans per game but played in a 65,000-seat stadium.

An expanded Al Lang (to 20,000 seats) would be the perfect fit for Major League Soccer in the bay area. There is a great buzz in downtown St. Petersburg. Plenty of parking. Great places to dine, nightlife, residents, easy to get to the venue. Plus the view would be the best in the league.

City and community leaders should think about it. It would work.

James Raulerson, Clearwater

[Last modified October 15, 2006, 08:48:58]