Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

'Problem' isn't with the homeless

Re: If homeless ignored, problem will fester Jan. 30 editorial

How remarkably original that the St. Petersburg Times will attempt to incite pity over the homeless "problem" in Pinellas County.

We don't have a problem with homelessness. What we have is a problem with our local leaders and liberal newspaper columnists and, for that matter, the Democratic Party seeking to once again "find" a victim.

Here's an original idea that it would seem the Times didn't even bother to think about instead of looking for a handout: How about, hmmm, get a job!

Idiots like me are doing it the hard way, I guess! As a former member of a local church that weekly fed and clothed the homeless in Williams Park in St. Petersburg, you can divide most of the homeless into two categories: those who truly were facing hard times and those who wanted to exploit the generosity of others. The pendulum swings largely to those seeking to exploit.

The majority of the time when someone was offered a job or a ride to the labor pool, they would complain of some mythical back pain or something similar.

I am sorry, I have zero pity for those who choose to be homeless in a state with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. We are fortunate in this county that if you want to work, a job - albeit maybe not the ideal job, but a job - is indeed within reach of all rest of us.

But instead, leave it to the St. Petersburg Times to spread its agenda in the face of reality. You liberals are all the same - try to redistribute the wealth to the less fortunate. Fifty years of liberalism has netted us zero gain in ending poverty and homelessness, but the Times I guess will keep trying.

John Luttrell, Clearwater

Words can hurt, but get over it 

Re: Man: I was hate crime victim Jan. 31 story

Fortunately, at this time in America, words are not a crime. They can hurt, and we all experience that at some time in our lives. Most of us have the wherewithal to get over it, and my suggestion is that Mr. Derar Ahmad do the same.

If Mr. Ahmad had grown up in America and attended American schools, I'm sure he would have heard hurtful words from time to time. And I'm sure if he had relayed the incident to his teacher, she would have advised him, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words they cannot hurt me."

Gail Randle, Clearwater

For keeping dogs off walk, thanks

County Parks Department, I want to thank you for, effective Feb. 1, not allowing dogs on the boardwalks at John Chesnut Sr. Park.

Finally, my friends and I will be able to return to those trails.

I have nothing against dogs. Dogs are my friends. However, on a boardwalk so narrow, those nice dogs become protective of their space and of their owner. When I pass a dog on a boardwalk, I must pass through its space, and some dogs have reacted negatively to me for walking so close.

I do not blame the dog's reaction, as it is just being protective. I would react in a similar manner (I don't bite, though) if, without being invited, a stranger entered my space at home. I would be protective.

The boardwalk dogs are just being themselves. I, as have my friends, have told stories of dogs on park boardwalks growling, nipping at my pant leg, jumping up on me to play, drooling on me and outright scaring me. A friendly but quite protective dog actually bit a lady friend on her ankle on the park's boardwalk.

The boardwalks are too narrow for dogs and human strangers. Hopefully, the dogs and owners will enjoy dozens of acres together in that beautiful park, just not on the boardwalks.

Thank you.

Roger Crews, Dunedin

All need curb-side recycling 

Re: 2007 Pinellas County Recycling Directory

The recent supplement on recycling in Pinellas County was very informative. Unfortunately, there are serious flaws in the county's recycling efforts. Chief among these is the unavailability of curb-side recycling in the unincorporated areas.

If officials are serious about recycling, it should be made mandatory, starting with curb-side recycling for the entire county. The funds generated from newspaper, aluminum and other valuable materials recycled could be used to help pay for this.

Many other states are way ahead of us on this issue. It's time for Pinellas County to move to the forefront.

Richard Vanni, Seminole

Jury duty was a great experience

I just served as a juror in the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center on 49th Street. This being my first time there, I went to the guards at the door, who politely directed me to the jury room, where I registered and waited to be called, if needed.

What a beautiful building it is and, from the registration clerk to the deputies to the attorneys to the judge, we were treated very respectfully and courteously. The jury system they have was the smoothest operation I have ever encountered.

To serve as a juror was a wonderful experience for me, and I would recommend all citizens who are called for jury duty count it as a privilege to be able to serve.

Ann Whisher, Oldsmar

Keep little ones safe from gators

My son is a pro at photography, especially in nature and parks. Let me tell you about his experience one Sunday in a county park.

He was sitting on a bench near a small lagoon. Across the water lay a 6-foot alligator. My son had been waiting almost an hour for it to raise its head or slide into the water.

He saw a man coming on the sidewalk with a small girl in tow. My son told him there was an alligator across the way.

The toddler was chattering in the sweet, high voice that little ones have. At the sound of her voice, the gator raised its head. It slid down into the water and headed straight for the place where the father stood.

My son said if the toddler had been on the ground and was tempted to go near the water (as children will do), she could have slipped on the small incline and landed at water's edge. What would have happened next would have been reported in the paper the next morning.

Almost every body of water in Florida has alligators. There are also snakes in the thick underbrush.

Parents and grandparents, guard your children. Hold tight to their little hands or carry them in your arms. The gators are listening for that sweet, high voice of a child.

Dolores S. Miller, St. Petersburg

[Last modified February 2, 2007, 07:29:06]