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Store won't bring 'unsavory' people

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published February 26, 2007

Protest doesn't make us snobs Feb. 22 letter

What an interesting and educational concept - a Salvation Army thrift shop will bring homeless and unsavory clientele to Wesley Chapel, be a danger to the upscale residents and degrade their property values.

Ouch. Do poor people realize they are so feared and have so much power? The letter writer may have a point about Salvation Army architecture not fitting his neighborhood. As for his other concerns, I think he can rest easy. Homeless and unsavory clientele, which I assume is his code word for poor people, have to have transportation to the area. Most shoppers will shop close to where they live.

As a longtime thrift shop customer, I and several acquaintances in Pasco have not been able to identify the homeless or unsavory clientele in the shops. I do see senior citizens, mothers with young children and disabled people as well as well-dressed ladies driving nice vehicles, all with at least one thing in common: an enjoyment of shopping and a need or desire to find a bargain in clothing, household items, art supplies and furniture.

The letter writer does the Salvation Army and thrift shop customers a disservice by suggesting that we are morally inferior to upscale Wesley Chapel residents.

Doris Lee, New Port Richey

Protest doesn't make us snobs Feb. 22 letter

Thrift shoppers are just like us

For the past six months, my family has been making the Salvation Army/Goodwill thrift store circuit. In that six-month period of time, the total number of homeless people observed hanging around such stores is zero. Our travels have taken us from Clearwater to Spring Hill, to Inverness, and from Gandy Boulevard to Orlando. Also in that stretch, the total number of children cowering from employees or parents protecting their young from employees is also zero.

The letter writer's perception of real and perceived threats is zero.

The hardworking and culturally diverse families, to quote the letter writer, who shop these stores do indeed find bargains. The majority of shoppers, mainly those with large families, are getting bargains in the clothing department, not the furniture area. The majority of the vehicles in the parking lots would fit right in with Lexington Oaks. Our Ford Ranger is outnumbered by the Escalades, Lexuses, BMWs and Hummers, and a Jaguar.

Don't know what the problem is with the building, either. Seems to be an epidemic, first east of I-75 and now west of I-75 of auto dealerships. Neon signs and parking lot lights are okay? Traffic problems? How do all these cars get to the lots? Huge car carriers.

So it's okay for some businesses to come in, such as the dealerships, but not others? So much for free enterprise. Another quote for these people: Why can't we all just get along? Where do these people shop for groceries, etc? They don't associate with us common folk?

John Silva, New Port Richey

Bumper curbs cause injuries

This is written in hopes to help bring awareness to all the injuries that have been caused by businesses with parking lot bumper curbs (wheel stops).

As a nurse I frequently hear the horror stories of injuries caused by tripping over these curbs and wonder why they are still being used.

They are dangerous obstacles in an area where people walk. They can be very difficult to see for people of any age and the damage they can cause from a fall can be debilitating.

I would like to see businesses remove these curbs and install something that does not pose a danger to the public. There are other methods that accomplish the same purpose.

Shae Jungkans, Spring Hill

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[Last modified February 26, 2007, 07:17:58]