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Penny support undermined

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published February 14, 2007

I am extremely reluctant to vote for the Penny for Pinellas extension March 13 because I no longer trust county government to tell me the truth.

The definitions of "preserve" and "passive recreation" and "endangered land acquisition" seem to be malleable, changing to accommodate whatever current political and financial pressures are being exerted on the County Commission and administrator.

I was at the County Commission meeting in December where it was said that a public workshop on Brooker Creek Preserve issues would happen in February, and now that promise is being broken.

I also find it appalling that our own tax money is being spent to lobby us to tax ourselves. "Your Penny at Work" signs have been popping up everywhere in the last two months, like wildflowers after a spring rain, many of them in places with only the most tenuous connection to Penny appropriations. How much did they cost?

I am sure that it is also no coincidence that Sunday's newspaper contained a "County Connection Update" insert that showcased Penny projects. Just how much of our tax money did the county pay the St. Petersburg Times to distribute it for them?

Jan Allyn, Largo

Propaganda paid with our pennies

I recently received the Pinellas County "County Connection Update." Most of the publication is promoting the Penny for Pinellas tax.

I also have noticed county facilities that are displaying signs for the tax.

I question why my tax dollars are being used to promote this tax. This smacks of a conflict of interest.

With the county and cities receiving a boondoggle of property tax dollars in the past few years, I see no reason to vote for such additional taxes. Projects under the Penny program could be more appropriately funded with even more pennies from the excess property tax dollars that local governments are receiving.

I can't believe that anyone in Pinellas County who is paying property taxes would vote for the extension of the Penny tax.

Robert K. Reader, Clearwater

Driver recklessly blocked ramp

To the woman whose children I frightened Feb. 11 in front of the Kmart at Seminole Mall: I'm sorry. Sorry that you apparently don't read the St. Petersburg Times or watch local TV or have a clue about the world we live in today.

You parked your van, still running, in a no-parking fire zone, blocking the only handicap ramp to and from Kmart, which I was trying to access when I "frightened" your children by knocking on your van window.

I'm sorry. I made the assumption there was an adult in a running vehicle with three children under the age of 10 or 11 inside.

I'm sorry that when I asked inside the store if anyone there belonged to the running van outside, I embarrassed you. I probably should have gone with my original thought and called the Sheriff's Office.

I'm sorry you felt that you were able to watch your kids from the store; sorry that it was apparently okay with you that your children were approached by a total stranger and opened the windows of your van to talk to me.

Yes, I'm sorry, so very sorry for your children.

E. Shark, Dunedin

Signs disappear, dogs win again

I was so happy when, a few weeks ago, I saw signs at John Chesnut Park in Palm Harbor prohibiting dogs on the boardwalks. At last, someone cared about pedestrians.

Prior to that time, I always walked there with a stick, hoping not to be bothered or jumped at by a dog, with or without a leash, fearful that I would be scared to death by a dog.

It seems now the signs are changed, stating that dogs will once again be permitted to share the boardwalks with people.

Someone high up in Pinellas County who owns dogs must have used his clout, disregarding pedestrians who have voiced their displeasure about sharing the narrow walks with animals. Who pays taxes: dogs or humans?

It seems that thousands of dollars have been spent constructing new parks and putting up children's playgrounds, so why can't we pedestrians have our own place to walk?

Shame on the "higher-ups" for disregarding a human's right to take a walk in our parks without fearing a dog's attack.

I wish I knew who you politicians are who did this, as I would know whom not to vote for in the future.

Faith King, Palm Harbor

Your voice counts

You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (727) 445-4119, or by mailing it to Letters, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. You must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

[Last modified February 14, 2007, 07:14:40]