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Panhandling in schools threatens safety of kids

I am writing in light of all of the complications going on in St. Petersburg with the homeless population. After spending months searching the bay area for the right school to fit our needs and safety measures for our child, we selected Northeast Park Preschool (located on 37th Avenue NE and First Street). This week, I felt directly affected by the homeless problem in our community.

I went to pick up my child from school and noticed a homeless man sitting on the front step with his baggage. He was sitting alongside the walkway, under the no trespassing signs, near the door. I had to walk past him as I entered the school, which contains a security pass code to unlock the door.

While I was inside the school, I was shocked to see another homeless man in the hallway begging the staff for money.

Yes, this was inside the school, private property, where all the children are. After he was asked to leave, I also told him that this was private property, and he confronted me about being in the city for 35 years, as if he had every right to be where he wanted to be.

With all the programs available for the homeless, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent De Paul, and all the other organizations, why should I have to worry about the safety of myself, my family and my children in our own schools, in our own neighborhoods?

As a taxpayer in this beautiful city, I want to know what is being done? Allowing them to set up tents wherever they like is not a solution.

I know they have opportunities available to them, but they refuse to seek them. With no law against panhandling, they think: Why not sit at an intersection and beg for money?

Why should I pay the price with our safety?

Christine Lopez, St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg has it all

As a former resident of Tampa, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, but it was time to own my first home. To my friends and acquaintances who still, to this day, ask me, "Why St. Pete?" - please read below:

1. Downtown St. Petersburg actually stays "alive" after 5 p.m. and even on weekends.

2. St. Petersburg has a ton of public events. My calendar is full.

3. It has the best waterfront in the area. We don't build parking garages on waterfront property here.

4. St. Petersburg offers great parks, more than just a bench on a burned-out piece of land with a sign saying "Park."

5. St. Petersburg is the spirit of diversity. It makes me a better person.

6. The median age is 39.6, not 93.6. There are plenty of cool young people to meet.

7. Mayor Rick Baker is excellent. You can't build a cool city with boring politicians.

8. Pinellas County and St. Petersburg have a great first-time homeowner program. With their help I bought my first home with no money down!

I hope this answers your questions.

Frederick Van Den Abbeel, St. Petersburg

Speed humps for schools

After the recent accidents of children at or near school crossings, I would suggest the city install speed humps at all school crossings.

At present, the city is putting speed humps in mostly unnecessary places, like side streets where there is very little traffic. Install more four-way stops instead.

Jim Flynn, St. Petersburg

Big thanks to responders

On the morning of Jan. 20, one of the worst possible scenarios for any family to encounter occurred: a home fire on Coquina Key.

As devastating as this could be, we feel very, very fortunate. The primary focus, of course, is that no one was injured. But with the extreme professionalism, courtesy and concern of the St. Petersburg Fire Department, we were truly impressed.

The district chief and his crew from the downtown station, along with the first respondents, Engine 8, were more than helpful with their concern and information. They really put us at ease on what was a truly hectic day - from covering valuables to prevent further damage, to checking on the residence two hours later, to actually calling the following day to make sure all was well.

Thanks also to the police and the wonderful women from the Red Cross who assisted our tenants.

St. Petersburg is truly fortunate to have gentlemen and ladies of this caliber in their employ. We are forever grateful.

Kathy Houck and Greg Koeper, Bradenton

Honesty appreciated

I wanted to take a moment and publicly thank a gentleman named Brian from Axley Brothers Sawmill. On Jan. 5, my husband dropped his cell phone at this business. In an act of kindness, Brian called us to arrange returning the phone.

In a day and age when we are bombarded by negative news stories, I felt it was important to point out something positive.

This gentleman took time out of his day to help someone he didn't know. He could have easily just thrown the phone under the counter in the "lost and found" but he didn't. He went the extra step.

Thank you, Brian, and thank you, Axley Brothers, for hiring such an honest individual.

R. Daca, St. Petersburg

No evading option taxes 

Feasting on pennies Jan. 24, letter

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 31, 2007, 07:49:22]