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Blame official, not residents

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published January 25, 2007

Re: Can Largo turn this ... Into this? story Jan. 21.

Staff writer Lorri Helfand's article about the redevelopment of downtown Largo was an excellent piece, with the exception of the quotes from City Manager Steve Stanton.

Once again, Mr. Stanton blames the lack of progress on the community itself. "I suspect the downtown community isn't ready for redevelopment yet," he states.

How can this man state such an untruth? Mr. Stanton has sat through countless meetings with thousands of residents and business owners for years discussing this downtown redevelopment. We have gone to his meetings, we have told him our thoughts, we have filled out questionnaires, we have begged and implored him to get this project done, but it has all fallen on deaf ears.

Later in the article, he gives the community another zinger by stating, "Our problem isn't the plan. Our problem is the community will."

Well, Mr. Stanton, I am one of the community residents who is tired of taking the blame for your failures and ineptitude. The failure to get this redevelopment completed is not the fault of the community. We have told you what we want time and time again. You are the city manager and like it or not, the buck stops with you.

So be a big boy, Mr. Stanton. Stand up and face the music and take the blame for the pitiful attempts at redevelopment.

Anne Money Buck, Largo

Enjoy Largo the way it is 

Re: Can Largo turn this ... Into this? story Jan. 21.

The article tells us that Largo City Manager Stanton, Community Development Director Mike Staffopoulos and City Commissioners Rodney Woods, Harriet Crozier and Gay Gentry are so impressed by a recent visit to Sarasota that they want to make Largo more like Sarasota.

If those people think that Sarasota is so wonderful, then why aren't they there? Or, at least, why don't they move there and let us enjoy little old Largo as it is?

Palmer O. Hanson Jr., Largo

Run for seat in Safety Harbor

I am disappointed in the lack of candidates for two seats on the Safety Harbor City Commission.

Two people will now take office unopposed. One of those was voted out of office in the last election after the people found out that she had a role in changing the will of a deceased woman, Marie Mecca. Because the will was changed, this candidate received approximately $84,634 in her personal bank account.

Marie Mecca's original will said that approximately 50 percent of this money was to go to the city of Safety Harbor in support of the library and museum.

In the upcoming March 13 election, the people of Safety Harbor will not even get the chance to vote this candidate out.

To attract more candidates to the Safety Harbor Commission it is time to raise the salary of the commissioners and the mayor.

Michael Deely, Safety Harbor

Dealers aware of local options tax 

Re: Bleeding us dry, a penny at a time, letter Jan. 22.

I just want to point out to the letter writer that the state does not give a purchaser of a motor vehicle any break in local option taxes when they purchase a motor vehicle in a county that charges no local option taxes.

The local option tax applicable to a motor vehicle purchase is based on where the purchaser resides. The selling dealer is aware of this fact and charges the correct local option tax accordingly.

Currently, local option taxes range from zero in eight counties to 1.5 percent in five counties. This form of taxation has been around since 1988.

By the way, to save a half-cent local option tax, you could drive to Manatee County, but I suggest you do not buy motor fuel there because their motor fuel taxes are a nickel per gallon higher.

Tom Kulaga, Palm Harbor

[Last modified January 25, 2007, 06:55:27]