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Farewell with fond memories

Four years have passed since I moved to Tarpon Springs due to a job change. I fell in love with the house I was shown and the town where it was located. From the local businesses to the general citizens, the friendliness makes you feel like one of the Tarpon family.

And now another job is taking me away to Jacksonville. While here, I had the pleasure of making many close friends, among them the owners of the local winery in downtown Tarpon. I would help them out in their winemaking, and normally I would be found at their monthly parties playing bartender and explaining wines.

While doing this, I would try my best not only to serve the wine to the locals and the tourists, but convey as much Tarpon warmth to them as the town extended to me. Many times I was told by the out-of-towners of how lucky I was to live in such a cozy and passionate little Mediterranean-like town.

Parting this town is proving very difficult emotionally. Not only am I having to sell my house that I've so carefully preserved, but also I am having to say good-bye to my neighbors, my friends, the winery and the town, which I will always consider my home.

I only hope that this area never gives in to the coldness of dollars and cents only, which will strive to strip away the area's personality and warmth, leaving only expressionless buildings and strangers.

Some say growth is good for Tarpon, but what good is growth when you lose the soul that made the area so desirable?

So I bid you all farewell. I lift my glass now and say, "Opa!"

Kerry Brannen, Tarpon Springs

Just tell me what you'd do if elected

Re: Political ads often a pack of lies, Diane Steinle column Oct. 29.

There is no doubt that more political ads are fictional and full of half-truths. However, I say instead of wasting time and money to research political candidates, why don't we just disallow any negative advertisements during election time?

How can we vote for candidates who tell us nothing about themselves, and how they could contribute to our country, but just sling mud at other candidates? That's one thing that turns me off, even if it's my own party criticizing another to boost their own ego.

Just tell us what you hope to do if elected and stop running others down.

Fran Glaros, Clearwater

Sticking to issues appeals to voters

My wife and I just returned from an eight-day trip to Vermont - our first time. Vermont also has candidates running for office, but with a large difference: At no time did I see or hear mud-slinging like we have in Florida. It was nice to hear the issues!

And they wonder why not many voters come out. Try sticking to the issue.

G.R. Robertson, Clearwater

Thanks for help with HSP benefit

The great Humane Society of Pinellas has served our community for years. Caring for these special animals while awaiting adoption requires the kindness of many.

Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the 350 guests, volunteers and sponsors who attended the "Beggin' for Bones" Halloween Benefit this past Saturday night in Tarpon Springs. How wonderful to witness the generosity and outpouring of support for HSP, despite its recent struggles.

After all, the true priority is the animals, not the people and policies! Let's keep this in mind and remember the survival of the shelter depends on our donations.

Dr. and Mrs. Scott Ray, Clearwater

[Last modified October 30, 2006, 23:47:48]