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New minister's sexual orientation irrelevant

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published November 15, 2006

Openly gay man officially introduced as minister Nov. 8

As a former president of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of St Petersburg, I was very pleased to see the well-written article by Waveney Ann Moore that captured so well the excitement and anticipation that my congregation feels with the official installation of the Rev. Manish Mishra, our new minister.

I do, however, question your headline, "Openly gay man officially introduced as minister." When my church undertook a two-year search to find the perfect candidate for this position, we did not consider sexual orientation to be a factor. When our search committee evaluated prospective candidates and interviewed a selected few, we did not consider sexual orientation to be a factor at all.

Why did your headline writer consider that the most important part of this article? I think that his background in a Hindu family, work experience in the foreign service, or degree from Harvard Divinity School would all have been of more significance to the newspaper-reading public.

I am extremely proud that my faith community, the Unitarian Universalists, can see the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings and not feel the need to characterize any group by such an irrelevant topic as sexual orientation. I wish the same for St. Petersburg as reflected in your newspaper.

Sally L. Carville, St. Petersburg

Officer more than a hero

Cop crawls under house to rescue boy Nov. 8

I want to thank St. Petersburg police Officer Scott Cameron for being there on Nov. 6 and entering the lives of Juanita and J'Marion Wright to make a difference .

Thank you for keeping your cool and composure and using the training that you received in becoming a police officer. I know those moments will be etched upon your mind for the rest of your life as they will be for Ms. Wright. J'Marion may not remember your acts of courage, compassion and responsibility but he will hear the story from those who are grateful that he is still with them.

I know Officer Cameron won't consider himself a hero. I know he would say that he was just doing his job. That's what heroes always say. I, however, see him as more than a hero. He embodies the humanity that our world seems to be lacking in so many ways.

It is unfortunate that this story did not make the front page. It is unfortunate that it is in our nature to hunger for the negative so that the media is inclined to feed us that which we crave. In reality stories like this one should give us all a sense of hope and inspiration to "pay it forward."

Officer Cameron, you have inspired this citizen, and for that I am grateful.

J. Ulibarri, St. Petersburg

Being responsible a plus

There are lots of books, cards, and calendars that attempt to spread the word about being kind and thoughtful to our fellow man. I am amazed that, for some reason, that philosophy does not appear to apply when it comes to items of conscience and pure common sense.

For example, I always make it a point to return at least one shopping cart to the store I am visiting. I pick up bottles and cans and drop them off in the trash can whenever I see them near where I am walking (I carry a plastic shopping bag just for this purpose).

I take my papers and recyclables to the recycling center once a week. I save my hazardous electronics or chemicals until I can take them to one of the many mobile dropoff locations around the county.

When I see kids doing something they should not be doing, I notify the police or the store manager if they are in a store.

If I see a street light or traffic light burned out, I notify the department responsible for servicing them. I could list many more, but maybe you get the idea.

We should recognize that by doing our part to act responsibly, we are in some small but significant way helping to reduce the cost of the products and services we buy as well as contributing to our environment's appearance.

It's the right thing to do.

Dennis Schulman, Largo

Cars don't own the road

Motorcyclists aren't so special, letter Nov. 8

No, motorcyclists aren't any more special than the next person. But when most people who hit motorcyclists with a car use the excuse that they didn't see the motorcycle, then the bumper sticker and billboard have a valid point.

Many people (if not most) who drive a car seem to think that they are the only ones entitled to use the road. We have had people in their cars look right at us as they are coming across the traffic lane and almost hit us.

A bumper sticker that says "Watch out for pedestrians" would be a good one too, as I can't tell you how many times I have had a car turn on me as I am trying to cross the street - yes, even in the crosswalk.

So, watch for motorcycles, pedestrians, and children because they are entitled to use the roads, too.

Christine Larzelere, St. Petersburg

Motorcyclists aren't so special

I was appalled to read this. The letter writer can't figure out why it's so important to watch out for motorcycles. Well, it's to save lives. Motorcyclists are not as visible on the road, or as well protected as people in cars.

More and more people are riding motorcycles today due to the escalating price of gas. To categorize all motorcyclists as "awful riders" shows a narrow-mindedness.

Most motorcyclists have taken safety classes in order to get a motorcycle endorsement on their license.

Motorcycles are much more economically and environmentally friendly than gas guzzling cars. What a waste it is to see a full-size car with only one person riding in it! Further, many motorcyclist groups are continually working to raise money for charitable organizations such as Toys for Tots.

I hope the letter writer now understands what exactly she is supposed to be watching for. If not, perhaps she's the one who should stay off the road.

Cheryl Finnerty, Seminole

[Last modified November 15, 2006, 07:30:39]