Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

New condos no boon to business

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published January 5, 2007

Re: Curtain closes on movie theater project story, Dec. 13

Not that I was a proponent of the city of Clearwater spending $27-million on a movie theater, but is there even one resident of Clearwater who was shocked to find out that the downtown movie theater plans have been scrapped?

After all, there are far more important things to spend our ever-increasing property tax income on, such as the millions of dollars being spent on infrastructure needed downtown for the building of yet another monstrous condo, which will probably be mostly vacant throughout my lifetime. (A show of hands, please, from those who, at any given time, have seen more than a dozen lights on between the first two high-rise condos which were built on Mandalay Avenue on Clearwater Beach five years ago.)

Speaking of the latest inconvenient mess in downtown Clearwater, I truly feel sad for those who operate businesses there. Looking at what they have to deal with year after year with the lack of parking and other problems the city refuses to address makes me wonder how they can even stay afloat, let alone turn a profit.

I, for one, will continue to spend my money with the Downtown News Stand, the Cajun Grille and the Chiang Mai restaurant, even though I have to park a quarter-mile away and walk through a dust storm to get to them.

The notion of a tourist (if any of them still come to Clearwater) actually finding one of these businesses is incomprehensible. I sincerely hope these business owners can hang on and one day enjoy the benefit of being in such close proximity to the dozen or so residents who will live in the new high-rise condo when it finally is completed.

As a fellow business owner (just across the water from downtown), I can assure them that the recent addition of all of these high-rise condos brings in tens, maybe even hundreds, of dollars to the city's economy each year! Unfortunately, due to my experience, I can also assure them that they can count on more harm than help coming to their business district in coming years.

I am saddened by an enormous loss of business due to what's going on with Clearwater's recent development.

Eric Spaulding, Clearwater

Religious displays not constitutional

Regarding the recent dispute in Safety Harbor (and many other places) about the correctness and/or the legality of religious displays on government property, there was a letter to the editor from Anne Garris that said, "Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution do we find the words 'separation of church and state.' " Ms. Garris is correct about that, but the folks who wrote the Bill of Rights did address this subject.

The very first item in Amendment I, which was adopted in 1791, says "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Most of the people who came to this new country came for religious freedom, to worship or not worship as they chose. This amendment foresaw future disputes over this very question.

When a federal, state or local government allows a religious display to be placed on its property, this certainly can be construed as "promoting the establishment of religion." This is the basis for the many challenges to these displays.

The courts ruled that displaying the Ten Commandments in the Alabama capitol was illegal based on Amendment I, and many other challenges on this matter (religious displays) have similarly been upheld.

A. M. Haas, Safety Harbor

City leaders let down all citizens

An entire city has made a decision on a topic not based upon law, but rather upon the feelings of one person. Brad Messick made a complaint to the city of Safety Harbor (about the nativity scene displayed on City Hall's lawn). "My own personal belief," as Messick put it, was the basis of his complaint. I am sincerely disturbed by this.

The basis of this country is that we are a country of laws. Those laws gain their authority from the Constitution and from us, the people. When the Legislature, elected by us, makes a law, it is incumbent upon the judiciary to interpret and enforce those laws. It is clear that the law allows religious symbols, in specific context, to be displayed regardless of one man's feeling.

I am disappointed the city did not stand up for what is right and rather took a position of least resistance. In this matter, city leaders let us all down.

Let me remind Mr. Messick and our city leaders that our country was based upon religious belief and the freedom thereof. Everywhere in government we can see the impact and influence of belief in God. There is religion, but not a determination of which faith. The city of Safety Harbor did not buy the religious objects, they merely displayed what citizens donated.

Mr. Messick must also remember that the "holiday" season is a purely religious season, otherwise there would be no reason to celebrate. Even Santa Claus is historically tied to giving gifts in celebration of the birth of the Christ child. I guess Mr. Messick didn't know that one.

We just experienced the death of a president and a public funeral that was very religious. There were a great many government officials participating in a religious ceremony. I wonder if Mr. Messick has filed complaints about the funeral, which was Christian, or the public officials, such as President Bush, who spoke in a religious manner.

We must understand that the basis of separation of church and state is vital to our country. However, as City Attorney Alan Zimmet clearly stated, that means there must not be preference of one religion over another.

I am disappointed the city will not follow the law and that there are people who are ignorant of the law and complain.

Tony Roln, Safety Harbor

Don't like U.S. freedoms? Leave

I am fed up with people like Brad Messick, the man who says religious symbols belong in a place of worship, not on government property.

I guarantee that this man walks around with government-issued money in his wallet that has printed right on it, "IN GOD WE TRUST."

If this man doesn't like the beliefs and principles of these United States of America, perhaps he would like to move to Iraq or Iran or countless other countries on this earth that don't enjoy the freedoms we do.

Steven Butler, Safety Harbor

Your voice counts

You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (727) 445-4119, or by mailing it to Letters, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. You must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

[Last modified January 5, 2007, 07:27:44]