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Water shortage flows from government stupidity

As Gomer Pyle used to say, "Surprise, surprise, surprise."

It didn't take long for this to start up. The more our politicians keep allowing all these new high-rises and condos, the more people we have here. Even though they are taxing the hell out of us already, now they want to control our way of watering.

I for one am tired of the moronic ways of our government, in all levels. No matter how we vote, the wealthy lobbyists are going to be greasing the politicians' hands in one way or another. A lot of us aren't naive to this practice within the government. As long as the lobbyists are allowed to continue their presence within, there will be "takers." These takers will allow the developers to have their way. Before long, there will be no beachfront or green space.

So shut off your taps and hoses folks, until we get a good flooding. We're in for a long, dry year.

Jack J. Gammon, Clearwater

Imagine real shortage

I can live with watering my lawn only one day a week. I could live without watering my lawn even that often.

My fear is the day will come when we don't have enough water to drink, cook or bathe. Imagine government saying, "You can drink one glass of water a day, you can take a shower two days a week - no better make that one day a week."

As long as developers are allowed to build and build on every square foot of land, the day will come when we won't have enough water to drink and bathe. Who has his hand in whose back pocket to allow this developing to continue?

It's hard for me to think about what would happen to Pinellas County if a Category 4 or 5 hurricane hit here. Well yes, I can think of one thing: Some would benefit. Guess who? The developers could start all over and keep on building.

Ernie South, Largo

Watering cutbacks on way Jan. 6, story

Stop the building

Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala's "hallejulah" response to the impending water restrictions as quoted in the Times is absurd. This past year has not been abnormally dry and the fact we must reduce water consumption triggers an alarm for this area.

More importantly, this move is an indictment against the governmental bodies that have allowed unrestricted growth for decades. You can't keep replacing single-family homes with 50-unit condos and expect there to be enough resources. It is the irresponsibility of county and city commissions and the almighty dollar that has led us to this crisis. And it will only get worse. At some point, we must have responsible leaders who have the courage to say, "No more building."

As a fifth-generation Floridian, I am sad to see the beauty of Florida going the way of asphalt, condos, traffic congestion and crowds.

Glenn Bradley, Seminole

Watering cutbacks on way Jan. 6, story

Defining drought

Saturday's front-page article on watering cutbacks should have explained the use of terms like "serious drought" and "abnormally dry conditions." Your Page 2A weather statistics indicated 2006 rainfall of 56.62 inches, compared to average yearly rainfall of 44.77 inches.

How in the world is the "winter rainfall" 11 inches below normal when October through December 2006 rainfall was a bit above average at 6.8 inches?

Dennis Fox, Hudson

Watering cutbacks on way Jan. 6, story

A toilet toll

Maybe I am missing some important information. The housing section is full of new condos being built all over St. Petersburg, but the headline in Saturday's paper shouts about water cutbacks.

Water has been a problem here for the 18 years I have been a resident, but that doesn't stop the developers. What are these new residents using to flush their toilets?

Doris Russell, St. Petersburg

Watering cutbacks on way Jan. 6, story

Enforcement is lax

Watering restrictions do not save water because Swiftmud does not enforce the restrictions and passes out ridiculous exceptions to the rules. Did you know that if you plant something new in your yard, Swiftmud will let you water your new plantings every single day of the week for months? The city of Zephyrhills, which restricts watering even more than Swiftmud, has been doing exactly that on Fifth Avenue since last summer's road construction was finished.

Ever hear of xeriscaping?

Swiftmud and local governments talk a good game, but that's all it is - just talk. Until public officials take water conservation seriously, don't expect the public to do so. "Do as I say, not as I do" didn't work with your kids and it won't work with adults either.

Gerald Barnes, Zephyrhills

Congratulations on the continuing effort by the St. Petersburg Times to keep the focus on both the Bay Pines and Tampa veterans hospitals. Not only is the actual veterans health care system dysfunctional, but the way the VA decides service-connected disability claims is a slap in the face of every veteran who has ever served in a combat zone.

Many vets return home with injuries and illnesses suffered while in combat only to face another war in order to get their disability compensation. The VA is supposed to be a nonadversarial compensation system when dealing with service-disabled veterans. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am sure the VA can trot out a few vets who will swear the VA is wonderful. Even some of the service organizations pretend everything is fine at the Tampa medical center.

If the Times continues to turn over rocks at the veterans hospitals both in Tampa and Bay Pines, it will find plenty to shock and horrify those who have eyes to see and ears to listen.

John King, Tampa

In praise of Jeb Bush

The St. Petersburg Times recently published a page of letters that were downright demeaning to the legacy of former Gov. Jeb Bush. Let me be the first to praise some of his services in the letters section of your newspaper.

Jeb Bush is not perfect, but his services were outstanding to the people of Florida. Because of him, thousands of our schoolchildren will not only graduate from school, but also will be able to read and write.

Gov. Bush put an end to the "Good Old Boy" government that had a lot of the relatives of the previous administrations on the payroll.

When the hurricanes came to town, Jeb was right there with all the help a state government could possibly give.

Sure, he got involved with trying to keep Terri Schiavo from being starved to death, but that was not in the best interest of a news-hungry media and it was allowed to proceed somehow, with the blessing of the Times.

The state of Florida is a better place now than when Bush got here, and these are trying times. Gov. Charlie Crist has some big shoes to fill.

So let me say for the millions of people who admire his efforts and his deeds, "Thanks, Jeb.".

Guy U. Nash, St. Petersburg

Drug may help round hounds Jan. 6, story

Take a walk

As a lot of these round hounds are usually accompanied by round owners. Maybe the two should go for long walks and try sensible eating instead of reaching for the medicine cabinet. It would save them money and prevent them from suffering from diabetes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, knee replacements to name only a few of the serious illnesses suffered by the obese.

Maybe then drug companies could get back to doing research on things that mild exercise and moderation in their food consumption can't cure - cancer.

Diana Rao, Tampa

Drug may help round hounds

Who's in charge?

To a nation of medicated adults and medicated children, we now add medicated dogs! Seems like another way for drug companies to "make a killing."

Are there canines out there who can operate a can opener or get into the pantry and drag out a big bag of kibbles? All the dogs I know depend on their owners to dish out the amount of food they consume. If this wasn't totally pathetic, it would almost be funny.

Barbara Cabrera, Beverly Hills

[Last modified January 9, 2007, 07:07:03]