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Seniors need maximum homestead exemption

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published November 26, 2006

Low-income seniors, age 65 and up, face many daily challenges. In addition to making choices between food and medicine, some elderly St. Petersburg residents are making decisions regarding their living situation.

Elderly homeowners are concerned with the rising costs of homeowner insurance, property taxes and the general costs to maintain their homes. In most cases, these costs are forcing them to make decisions regarding the feasibility of keeping their own homes.

Currently, the city of St. Petersburg is offering a senior homestead tax exemption equaling $15,000 to elderly residents, age 65 and over, who meet income-eligibility guidelines.

The city proposes an identical tax exemption amount in fiscal year 2007.

The state allows a maximum senior homestead exemption of $25,000, and it is the local taxing authority's discretion if it chooses to adopt the maximum. Sixty-one percent, or 11 out of 18 neighboring municipalities and/or taxing authorities to St. Petersburg, have proposed that the maximum exemption be adopted in fiscal year 2007.

As chair and vice chair of the city of St. Petersburg Commission on Aging, we feel it imperative to advocate for the elderly who reside in the city. The St. Petersburg COA is a 15-member, volunteer, mayor-appointed commission serving the needs of the elderly through advocacy. Our position regarding the senior homestead exemption, is to advocate that the city of St. Petersburg offer the maximum benefit, equaling $25,000.

Tax-exemption applications are due to be accepted from Jan. 1 through March 1, 2007. Low-income seniors in St. Petersburg would truly benefit from receiving the maximum exemption of $25,000.

We encourage the city of St. Petersburg to adopt the maximum homestead tax exemption, and we also welcome additional dialogue on this issue.

Jan White, chair; and Jason Martino, vice chair; St. Petersburg Commission on Aging, St. Petersburg

Site hurts community

Ex-professor caught in Web of controversy Nov. 15.

Cristina Silva's article on Bill Pyle's infamous Web site causes me mixed emotions.

I'm sad that this man has managed for so long to damage the reputation of his own community by "allowing" anonymous attacks on his neighbors (and recently the city of St. Pete Beach). I'm happy he has finally been exposed for his unworthy actions.

Despite Pyle's Web site, Silver Sands is a beautiful community with wonderful and thoughtful neighbors. His Web site is certainly not representative of the residents of Silver Sands and is personally repugnant to all but his two or three cronies. The opinion of many is that Pyle's small group - out of 300 owners - has used that Web site for its own personal agenda at the expense of Silver Sands' reputation and property values.

Last year, as president of the Master Board of Directors, Pyle was required to read a board resolution stating: "The Master Board neither endorses nor supports the unauthorized Web site." Yet, when asked at the meeting by five different residents if he was personally involved with that Web site, Pyle refused to answer. His silence was deafening. Now we know for sure.

Let this be a lesson for all: Those who live by the sword of anonymous, irresponsible and untrue accusations in the public arena - all in the name of freedom of speech - may one day be forced to swallow that sword.

Paul Cuticchia, St. Pete Beach

Be aware of motorcycles

Motorcyclists aren't so special, letter Nov. 8

Motorcycles are special to many people, along with the children, pedestrians, animals and other cars! There are signs to watch out for the children and pedestrians, and animals should be on a leash. Watching out for other cars - that's natural.

Perhaps the letter writer has never been on a motorcycle and experienced what riders enjoy. Perhaps she has never been on a bike when a driver in a car switches lanes, swerves, makes a quick turn, etc., and still never sees the motorcycle - and in broad daylight. Sometimes you will not see that motorcycle in your rear-view mirror. It is your responsibility to be aware.

This is all this bumper sticker means. It is in no way disregarding anyone else who shares the road. It's just a simple "be aware of your surroundings" or "be aware of others who share the road, too."

Robin DePlante, Seminole

Society does kill dogs

There are dogs at the Humane Society of Pinellas that are in danger. Many have already been destroyed, but there are others and more coming in every day that are in danger of being unnecessarily destroyed.

The Pinellas Humane Society is not a no-kill shelter. People should know what is happening to their animal if it goes to the "Humane" Society.

I have been volunteering at the Pinellas Humane Society and other shelters in the area for more than three years. For the past year, I have been working on a volunteer team at the Humane Society where aggressive and fearful animals would be rehabilitated and adopted out to loving families.

More than 50 animals were rehabilitated and adopted out that were considered unadoptable when they first came into the shelter and would have been destroyed if no one had worked with them.

With the advent of a new management team at the Humane Society, the work with these animals (by volunteers) was discontinued. They were denied their chance at life because people that could help them were not allowed to.

On Aug. 24, I wrote to Bill Mazurek, the interim director of the Humane Society, about the unnecessary destruction of dogs. I received no reply. Recently, I wrote to Jack Geller, president of the Humane Society board of directors, about this problem. He chose not to reply. It makes me very sad when I express my concern over the destruction of animals and no one cares.

If the people there don't care about the animals' lives, then something is wrong. Maybe there should be an independent investigation. Please help stop the killing of our friends at the Humane Society.

Richard Spitzer, Clearwater

[Last modified November 25, 2006, 22:28:42]