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It's time to provide homeless housing

In case you haven't noticed, million-dollar condos are sprouting up in downtown St. Petersburg like mushrooms after a good rain. But across the street from the millionaires' masonry are the people who have no homes at all.

They are our homeless. Notice I use the word "our" instead of "the." I do this because they are fellow human beings, and they deserve better treatment.

There is no reason that one of the richest nations in the world should stand by idle as its citizens sleep on the ground in a park.

It's time to wake up and help out our fellow citizens. Mr. and Ms. local government leader, now is the time to provide housing for our homeless.

Citizens of St. Petersburg, now is the time to write your government demanding housing for our homeless.

Marius Dicpetris, St. Petersburg

Baker shows his heart 

Much achieved; much still to do Jan. 30, commentary by Mayor Rick Baker

Kudos to St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker for once again remaining above the fray and responding with intelligence and heart to our city's homelessness challenge. I am indeed proud to be so well represented by such a fine mayor.

Now let each of us citizens of St. Petersburg who is able to save 25 cents daily send that $7.50 monthly to our favorite local charity to help our homeless people truly in need.

Anita M. Knapp, St. Petersburg

Time to take back city

Property taxes and spending by local governments are out of control. The "we will have to cut services" scare tactics used by our politicians are getting old.

What services are we talking about? The many bumps in the roads that are installed so we can no longer drive the posted speed limit in a neighborhood? Or is it the many holes that have been dug and filled with water-needing plants that are watered by a water truck in the middle of the road?

What services exactly? Water and garbage are paid for with fees. Our firefighters do not have a contract. Our police force is run by incompetent leaders who do not have the respect of the officers on the street. The Police Department is such a shambles that it can't hire enough people for the job.

Are the services we are talking about the sweet deal for the arts? If so, why is it that artists like the Rolling Stones don't need a government handout to make it? Is it the fantastic waterfront deal made with the $1-a-year lease to a company that's bringing in six employees?

It is time "we the people" took our city back. We have the power, not the government. It is time they took notice.

Jim Shanklin, St. Petersburg

Penny for Pinellas

Unnecessary spending

When I opened my drapes the other day, I was greeted by a large, brand new sign pointing out that the neighborhood center across the street had been paid for with money from Penny for Pinellas funds. It also carried with it the implication that I needed to vote for continuing this tax on March 13. At first I was amused, then insulted, and finally angry.

I know something about how much such signs cost, and the thought of my taxpayer dollars being used to pay for them has my dander up. I can think of a lot better ways to spend my - yes, my - tax dollars. I'll bet this one sign cost more than a year's worth of my pennies.

Indeed, this whole episode is symptomatic of why taxpayers are up in arms. It is unnecessary spending at its worst. In this day and age of rising insurance costs and increased property tax bills, one would think our elected officials would be a little more sensitive about how they spend our money.

Every morning when I look at that sign it will remind me that my local elected officials don't have a clue. And until they disabuse me of that belief, I will be voting no on Penny for Pinellas.

David Henderson, St. Petersburg

We are the enemy

Almost a Florida native, I've spent 60 of my 70 years here. From the 1940s to the 1970s, few people built houses of substance on the gulf or on the ocean.

Land was cheap and waterfront sites were used for shacks, camping and small cottages. Hotels were few and far between, and the motels were "Mom and Pop," sturdily built and protected by sand dunes, not sea walls.

This worked. Everyone had unobstructed views of the water and could park anywhere - including on the beach.

Many's the car I've seen set afloat by an incoming tide.

The concept of ecology didn't exist. Wealth meant a big house, big yard, shady trees and domestic help, not a water view.

So, now our beaches are wall-to-wall concrete and vulnerable to the weather.

Not only is our ecology virtually nonexistent, breaking my heart, but I'm helping to insure concrete monstrosities, breaking my wallet.

Dear Pogo, you had it right: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."

I'm more afraid of us than the terrorists.

Barbara Day, Clearwater

Hate campaign exposed 

Anti-Muslim? Not Really Feb. 4, letter

Kudos to Joel Harper and his wife for their courageous exposure of a local hate campaign. In doing so these concerned citizens do not deserve someone's misdirected comments suggesting that they are seeking media attention.

Not everyone throws away advertising fliers left on our home doorknobs - in fact, marketing studies indicate there is a 2.5 percent response rate. Furthermore, not everyone who reads door-hung material is mature or wise enough to discern veracity.

Hate for Muslims or anybody, no matter how it is peddled, needs to be laid bare. Florida's sandy soil is much too fertile for head burying - so let's praise, not bury, those who speak up.

Kathleen L. Farrell, Seminole

[Last modified February 11, 2007, 00:02:00]