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Today's Letters: Penny is a plus for Pinellas residents

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 10, 2007

As a local elected official for the past 22 years, I have had the privilege of working to improve the infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for our citizens and visitors to Pinellas County. I was on the St. Petersburg City Council when the citizens of Pinellas County approved the Penny for Pinellas 1-cent sales tax in 1989.

I remember what life was like here before that happened. No Bayside Bridge, no Pinellas Trail, congested highways, and summer rains that brought constant flooding to our neighborhoods. I believe our citizens have a much better quality of life today, and the Penny projects are directly responsible for that.

As a county commissioner, I realize that taxes and insurance have had a negative effect on our citizens. And with the help of the state Legislature, we hope to bring some real relief to our citizens. However, the Penny for Pinellas is too important to our county to let it fall by the wayside.

Pinellas County government has made some cuts. We lowered our millage rate to the lowest it has been since 1991. Since property values began a significant incline in 2003, tax revenues have gone up about $163-million. Critics claim the county spent every cent. We didn't. We saved $110-million so that we can strengthen our reserves to help keep government functioning effectively after an emergency, such as a hurricane. The state now takes an extra $28-million each year in mandates for things like jails and juvenile justice, and we put $22-million into services demanded by our community like rent vouchers for the working poor, more code enforcement and affordable housing for employees across the county who are priced out of a home.

We recognize there is much more work to be done, and we need the Penny for Pinellas to get it done. The Penny provides funding for better transportation, continued drainage improvements and public safety improvements. And the way to fund our county's infrastructure projects while providing property tax relief is having our tourists and other visitors contribute about one-third of Penny funds. Tourists don't help us with our property taxes but they do support the Penny for Pinellas. And that is an absolute reason why the Penny renewal is so important for our county.

As the St. Petersburg Times said in recommending a yes vote Tuesday on the Penny renewal: "Without the Penny, property taxes would rise, further straining the budgets of property owners."

Pinellas County voters have twice before demonstrated their knowledge of the power and the accomplishments of the Penny for Pinellas. By again renewing the Penny we will continue our road to improvements throughout Pinellas County.

Robert Stewart, Pinellas County commissioner, St. Petersburg

Preserve our quality of life

There have been many letters recently published in this newspaper from citizens voicing their displeasure with local taxing authorities. I am sympathetic with their frustrations and can agree on many of their points. When emotions have reached the level that now exists, it is natural to lash out at any suggestion of additional taxes and oppose all efforts to do so, no matter how rational the reasons. Unfortunately the Penny for Pinellas renewal proposal is in this situation.

On Tuesday, voters have an opportunity to demonstrate their pride in the quality of life that exists in Pinellas County. As someone who has seen and experienced public facilities throughout this country, I believe what has been achieved here in Pinellas County is second to none. As a prime example just look at our county park system. It is generally recognized as the finest in America. And who hasn't enjoyed biking, skating, jogging or just walking on the Pinellas Trail? And our many recreation centers, athletic fields, libraries, fire stations and other public infrastructure have been expanded and modernized when many communities are curtailing or shutting theirs down.

But much more needs done. Roadways must be widened and improved, additional parking facilities are required, extensions to the Pinellas Trail developed, senior facilities constructed, libraries renovated and expanded, fire stations reconstructed and modernized, bridges rebuilt to aid traffic flow and evacuation, and undeveloped land acquired to be preserved for future generations.

I don't suggest the additional penny sales tax has been the sole source of funding for every quality of life improvement over the last 20 years. But few can dispute that the Penny program has provided the impetus and a majority of the wherewithal for the hundreds of projects accomplished to date.

Let's keep moving forward. Let's keep our county the leader it has become. The Penny for Pinellas renewal deserves everyone's support. Vote "Yes" next Tuesday.

William Kiser, Clearwater

Why decide now?

The Penny For Pinellas is certainly not just one penny, unless you've only spent $1. In effect it's a $1.94-billion giveaway to the cities and county for a wish list. I guess they called it the Penny for Pinellas because the amount sounded insignificant. City and county governments indicate they need those dollars to take care of a multitude of projects, some of which haven't even been thought of yet. St. Petersburg calls it " infrastructure to be decided." That term describes $ 5-million.

This money is such a windfall for government that it is sometimes tough to figure out where it's all going. I will try and highlight some. The county will receive $40-million to remodel and renovate government buildings. There's $18-million for sensitive land acquisition didn't Brooker Creek teach us anything about government's ability to handle land management?. St. Petersburg gets $2.1-million for improvements to the Pier (this has the earmarks for another loss). Another $4.5-million is for Mahaffey improvements. Didn't they just renovate? Now they want improvements? Sunken Gardens gets $3.6-million (is this place still around?). And the list goes on.

I say with all the uncertainty about tax reform, why must we vote on this now? If an increase in the state sales tax in the 2.5-to-3 percent range takes effect, do we want to have an additional 1 percent?

Everybody needs to live on a budget. I know I do. So why not the city and county government? I think they should live off the same raises that everybody else gets. A lot of these projects sound nice, maybe 50 percent of them, but can we afford them at this time? I think not. I say let's wait and see if meaningful tax reform takes place, and then we'll address our wish list again.

David Simpson, St. Petersburg

Amenities close to home

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala speak to a group of citizens in Dunedin regarding the Penny for Pinellas tax. She addressed many issues, but one comment that particularly hit home for me was that the tax seemed to be aimed at those citizens least able to afford it.

I am definitely one of the citizens of Pinellas "least able to afford another tax," and so I cannot afford to take my family on vacations to beautiful destinations or expensive theme parks. This is exactly why I am voting for continuing the Penny!

People should take the time to look around them and see all of the beautiful parks, beaches and other amenities available in our community that have been made possible by the Penny for Pinellas. Our area is a beautiful vacation spot for many people from all over the world and the money that those people spend contributes because they pay the extra penny too!

My advice to the citizens of Pinellas would be to do a little research and see exactly what the Penny has done to improve our quality of life before voting. A lot of you will be surprised!

Shelley Beyer, Largo

What's in a name?

Penny for Pinellas will probably pass, but likely because of the alluring alliteration of its name, not from the public's diligent demands for the program's promoted projects. Is this tax a rose - sweet-smelling by any name? Would citizens support "Cash for County" or "Growth for Government"? Would "Penny for Hillsborough" have half a chance? Keep in perspective, a penny saved is a penny earned. A penny taxed is a penny taken.

Cameron Fuller, St. Petersburg

Patients vent in Congress March 6, story

The bureaucracy trap

Sadly, it's not just recent war veterans who are stuck in the quagmire of bureaucracy that is our VA system. My loved one is a disabled Vietnam War veteran who has been waiting since 2003 for his disability claim to be approved. He earned a Bronze Star for combat, but his military records were destroyed in a fire at a records center many years ago. Other than his Bronze Star, which is documented on his discharge papers, there is no record that he was in battle while in Vietnam. Without this, the VA cannot approve his disability claim.

After several appeals for help, the VA is searching for daily activity records from his military unit between 1967 and 1969. Can you imagine what an enormous this task is? Without this written proof, his claim will not be approved. Shouldn't his Bronze Star be enough evidence of bravery in combat?

Our Vietnam-era warriors are still being treated like liars, cheats and pariahs. What can be done to give them the dignity and treatment they deserve?

Deborah Wiss, St. Pete Beach

A tale of questionable care

The disgraceful treatment of our wounded goes far beyond Water Reed and other military and veterans centers in the United States. A good friend was wounded through the shoulder in Iraq. He was flown to the Army hospital in Germany.

Within a few days of his arrival, his temperature spiked, his wife was sent for, and last rites were administered. Death seemed imminent.

Luckily, a local German doctor was on the floor and looked in on him. This doctor immediately recognized that the soldier suffered from the same bacterial infection that killed many of our young soldiers during Vietnam.

A disagreement erupted between the military doctor and the German physician. The military physician insisted this bacterial infection was no longer recognized and was inconsequential in 2006.

Thank God the wife spoke up and begged the German doctor to treat her husband. Clearly, she was seeing firsthand what happens to soldiers under U.S. care. At her insistence, the soldier was moved to a German facility, treated for the infection, and is now safe and sound back home.

This is the story of only one soldier, but it is a case of recovery or death. It's not a list. It's not a number. It's one grieving family losing one precious son or daughter and feeling the pain of it forever.

Melanie Woods, Palm Harbor

Shameful neglect

I have been reading the recent stories of the problems with the VA followup support system with disgust and incredulity.

Here in St. Petersburg, we have a VA hospital with a several hundred million dollar computer system that had to be scrapped. We have a congressman who has occupied office for nearly 40 years and styles himself as a supporter of wounded veterans. Well, I suppose we know how far that support goes within his party.

I find it outrageous that no congressman, Democrat or Republican, walked through Walter Reed or any of the VA hospitals to raise a stink about the followup care that our troops receive. Enlisted personnel would be court-martialed and put in jail for such dereliction of duty. The people responsible for this will probably get a medal from the president.

Shame on you, Congressman C.W. Bill Young. Shame on Congress. Shame on the president.

Bob Tankel, Dunedin

Try volunteering

I am a registered volunteer at Bay Pines VA Medical Center, and my husband has received more than 40 years of great care and service through the VA system. I think it's high time that people understand that there are thousands of veterans who are treated daily, and millions each year.

Instead of complaining, maybe those who voice negative opinions about veterans health care would like to volunteer and really see how our veterans are treated. Maybe they would find out how wonderfully the VA is taking care of our veterans - especially at Bay Pines.

Instead of whining about problems they read in the paper, they could find out what it's really like. The only negative is that they might be sorry they didn't find out sooner how wonderfully our veterans are being treated.

Pam Pagac, Seminole

Intelligence conference draws criticism March 6, story

Secular Muslims snubbed

The story's emphasis on a tax status filing technicality and mischaracterization of conference participants illustrates how elements at the Times cooperate with those who attempt to smear, demean and silence those who stand up for free Muslim societies and Islamic reform.

A broad range of participants, from Afshin Ellian, a professor at law from the University of Leiden in Holland, to Irshad Manji, author and documentary filmmaker of Faith Without Fear, cannot simply be condemned as "everyone known for damning Islam" with no opportunity for those participants to respond.

This article is a low point for the St. Petersburg Times and advocacy journalism.

Martin Altner, Clearwater

Intelligence conference draws criticism March 6, story

Telling omissions

The Times report of this event was an extraordinary journalistic tour de force: in two pages of coverage, your readers did not learn one word of what happened or what was said at this conference. Happily, we did not have to rely on the Times to learn what was going on in our own backyard; CNN, the Wall Street Journal and other national media reported extensively on the remarkable declaration issued by a group of Muslim intellectuals: calling upon Muslims worldwide to embrace a philosophy that honors the distinction between church and state, recognizes equal rights for women, and demands respect for the equality of all peoples, Muslim and non-Muslim. The "St. Petersburg Declaration," as it was called, was read out in Farsi and Arabic, as well as English - and even Al Jazeera broadcast its announcement to the Muslim world.

But your team of reporters was focused on telling us not what happened in St. Petersburg, but what we should think about what happened, and why we should ignore it. While we learned nothing about the event from your report, I am sorry to say we did learn a great deal about the St. Petersburg Times.

Barry Augenbraun, St. Petersburg

Intelligence conference draws criticism March 6, story

Unrepresentative group

I regret to say that I am convinced the so-called "intelligence conference" will do nothing more than further alienate the moderate Muslim community. I can only see evil coming from it because the overwhelmingly vast majority of Muslims are not represented by this group of individuals, nor can they sympathize with them.

Abraham Shakfeh, Brooksville

As a local elected official for the past 22 years I have had the privilege of working to improve the infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for our citizens and visitors to Pinellas County. I was on the St. Petersburg City Council when the citizens of Pinellas County approved the Penny for Pinellas one-cent sales tax in 1989.

I remember what life was like here before that happened. No Bayside Bridge, no Pinellas Trail, congested highways, and summer rains that brought constant flooding to our neighborhoods. I believe our citizens have a much better quality of life today and the Penny projects are directly responsible for that.

As a county commissioner, I realize that taxes and insurance have had a negative effect on our citizens. And with the help of the state Legislature, we hope to bring some real relief to our citizens. However, the Penny for Pinellas is too important to our county to let it fall by the wayside.

Pinellas County government has made some cuts. We lowered our millage rate to the lowest it has been since 1991. Since property values began a significant incline in 2003, tax revenues have gone up about $163-million. Critics claim the county spent every cent. We didn't. We saved $110-million so that we can strengthen our reserves to help keep government functioning effectively after an emergency, such as a hurricane disaster. The state now takes an extra $28-million each year in mandates for things like jails and juvenile justice, and we put $22-million into services demanded by our community like rent vouchers for the working poor, more code enforcement and affordable housing for employees across the county who are priced out of a home.

We recognize there is much more work to be done, and we need the Penny for Pinellas to get it done.

The Penny provides funding for better transportation, continued drainage improvements and public safety improvements. And the way to fund our county's infrastructure projects while providing property tax relief is having our tourists and other visitors contribute about one-third of Penny funds. Tourists don't help us with our property taxes but they do support the Penny for Pinellas. And that is an absolute reason why the Penny renewal is so important for our county.

As the St. Petersburg Times said in recommending a yes vote Tuesday on the Penny renewal:

"Without the Penny, property taxes would rise, further straining the budgets of property owners."

Pinellas County voters have twice before demonstrated their knowledge of the power and the accomplishments of the Penny for Pinellas. By again renewing the Penny we will continue our road to improvements throughout Pinellas County.

Robert Stewart, Pinellas County commissioner, St. Petersburg

Subject: Penny for Pinellas

Penny for Pinellas will probably pass, but likely because of the alluring alliteration of its super slogan, not from the public's diligent demands for the program's promoted projects. Is this tax a rose - sweet-smelling by any name? Would citizens support "Cash for County" or "Growth for Government"? Would "Penny for Hillsborough" have half a chance? Keep in perspective, a penny saved is a penny earned. A penny taxed is a penny taken.

Cameron Fuller, St. Petersburg, Florida

Preserve our quality of life

There have been many letters recently published in this newspaper from citizens voicing their displeasure with local taxing authorities. I am sympathetic with their frustrations and can agree on many of their points. When emotions have reached the level that now exists, it is natural to lash out at any suggestion of additional taxes and oppose all efforts to do so, no matter how rational the reasons. Unfortunately the Penny for Pinellas renewal proposal is in this situation.

On Tuesday 13 voters have an opportunity to demonstrate their pride in the quality of life that exists in Pinellas County. As someone who has seen and experienced public facilities throughout this country, I believe what has been achieved here in Pinellas County is second to none. As a prime example just look at our county park system. It is generally recognized as the finest in America. And who hasn't enjoyed biking, skating, jogging or just walking on the 46-mile Pinellas Trail? And our many recreation centers, athletic fields, libraries, fire stations and other public infranstructure have been expanded and modernized at a time when many communities are curtailing or shutting theirs down.

But much more needs done. Roadways must be widened and improved, additional parking facilities are required, extensions to the Pinellas Trail developed, senior facilities constructed, branch libraries renovated and expanded, fire stations reconstructed and modernized, bridges rebuilt to aid traffic flow and evacuation, and undeveloped land acquired to be preserved for future generations.

Now I don't suggest the additional penny sales tax has been the sole source of funding for every single quality of life improvement over the last 20 years. But few can dispute that the Penny program has provided the impetus and a majority of the wherewithal for the hundreds of projects accomplished to date.

Let's keep moving forward. Let's keep our county the leader it has become. The Penny for Pinellas renewal deserves everyone's support. Vote "Yes" next Tuesday.

William Kiser, Clearwater

Subject: Penny For Pinellas, Why?

Where in the world did it say penny? It's certainly not just one penny, unless it amounts to one dollar. In effect it's a 1.94 billion dollar giveaway to the cities and county for a wish list. I guess they called it the Penny for Pinellas because the amount sounded insignificant. City and county government indicates they need those dollars to take care of a multitude of projects some of which haven't even been thought of yet. St. Petersburg calls it " infrastructure to be decided" That term describes $ 5 million dollars. This money is such a windfall for government that is sometimes tough to figure out where its all going. I will try and highlight some. County will recieve 40 million to remodel and renovate government buildings, (must be nice, I'd like to put up an addition at my home, but cannot seem to get any of my neighbors to pay for it.),18 million for sensitive land acquisition. (didn't Booker Creek teach us anything about governments ability to handle land management) St. Petersburg gets 2.1 million for improvements to the Pier, (This has the earmarks for another loss.) 4.5 million for Mahaffey improvements. Hmm... Didn't they just build a new facility with 95 million dollar taxpayer financed loan. Now, they want improvements? Sunken Gardens gets 3.6 million. (Is this place still around?) and the list goes on.

I say with all the uncertainty about tax reform, Why must we vote on this now? If a new sales tax in the 2.5 - 3 percent range takes effect, do we now add an additional one percent to the total. Everybody needs to live on a budget, I know I do... So why not the city and county government. I think they should live off the sames raises that everybody else gets. " Did somebody get a raise?" A lot of these projects sound nice, maybe fifty percent of them, but can we afford them at this time. I think not. I say lets wait and see if meaningful tax reform takes place and then we'll address our wish list again.

David Simpson

David Simpson, St. Petersburg, Florida

Subject: Penny for Pinellas

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear Commissioner Latvala speak to a group of citizens in Dunedin reguarding the Penny for Pinellas tax. She addressed many issues and questions but one that particularly hit home for me was a comment that the tax seemed to be aimed at those citizens least able to afford it.

I would like to say that I am definitely one of the citizens of Pinellas "least able to afford another tax" and so, along those same lines, cannot afford to take my family on vacations to beautiful destinations or expensive theme parks. This is exactly why I am voting FOR the continuation of the Penny! People should take the time to look around them and see all of the beautiful parks, beaches, and other amenities available in our community that have been made possible by the Penny for Pinellas! Our area IS a beautiful vacation spot for many, many people from all over the world and the money that those people spend contibutes because they pay the extra penny too! My advice to the citizens of Pinellas would be to do a little research and see exactly what the Penny has done to improve our quality of life before voting. A lot of you will be surprised!

Shelley Beyer, Largo,

Subject: Vote NO on extending Penny for Pinellas

I will vote against extending the Penny for Pinellas. I urge others to do the same. My reasons are:

1. I object to the spending of two hundred thousand dollars to support extension of a program which should be able to stand on its accomplishments.

2. I object to selection of an election date that the supporters think will improve the possibility of passage but which will entail a single issue on the ballot at many locations in the county. This means that costs will be incurred which could have been avoided if the issue had been placed on the fall ballot.

3. Supporters of the extension offer specious arguments in favor of the extension. For example, in "It's an equitable way to tax us all" (March 7, 11A) supporter Ray Neri wrote "I'd rather spread the cost of projects ...... over all who use them, including visitors who normally would not contribute through taxes on property." Now, anyone who knows anything about how commercial business owners and landlords operate knows that they pass their property taxes on to others in their prices. Commercial business owners and landlords aren't really taxpayers with respect their income producing property. They are really only tax collectors.

4. Mr. Neri also wrote "Those who have greater incomes spend a greater portion of that income on discretionary taxable purchases." That may be true. Unfortunately, the penny tax is only applied to the first five thousand dollars of the high cost items that those with larger incomes are more likely to purchase.

5. Finally, the Penny for Pinellas scheme has placed so much discretionary money in the pockets of our governments that it is simply burning a hole in their pockets. Examples of questionable expenditures include such things as the numerous rarely used bridges on the Pinellas trail, replacement of a servicable chain link fence around Taylor Park with a wood fence which is already showing signs of disrepair, a teradown and build new mentality as with the Largo Library and the Highland recreation complex, etc.

Vote NO on the extension of the Penny for Pinellas at this time. Contact your commissioners and suggest that they come back with a quarter penny or half penny proposal in the fall election.

Palmer O. Hanson Jr., Largo, Florida

Subject: The past 20 years justify another 10 Feb.

I was surprised to see an editorial in the Times that "strongly recommends" approval on the vote to extend the Penny for Pinellas sales tax for 10 more years. As we get closer and closer to the day of the vote I am becoming more and more dismayed. With so many issues up for grabs at this point, a vote is not appropriate and should be delayed.

Issues include:

-Possible increase to the existing sales tax. Do the voters really want to add another percentage point to a 9% or 10% sales tax? I don't, or at least I want to think about it for awhile. Not knowing if we are voting to go from 6% to 7% or 9% to 10% makes me really uncomfortable.

-Lack of responsiveness by the Board of County Commissioners on Brooker Creek usage issues. I want answers on how the commissioners will respond to the many issues in this preserve BEFORE giving a green light to another 10 years of county environmental stewardship. Their silence scares me. What is it that they do not want me to know before I vote?

-Cost over-runs at the blending facility at Brooker Creek. Is anyone in county government steering the ship? I want to know who before I let them sail on rudderless for another 10 years.

-Concerns about other re-allocations of Penny funds to projects that the commissioners want rather than what the citizens voted to fund. The full story has not yet been aired. And again, just who is spending this money and who is keeping track? I am beginning to feel like we voters wrote out a blank check for 2000-2010 and there has not been a good accounting of how the money was spent. I would like to see an audit of past performance before saying OK to another 10 years.

-The entire citizen tax question is up in the air. How can we know where money to operate our county and cities is going to come from in 2010? I don't know if there will be an increased sales tax, a decreased property tax, a doubled homestead exemption, a portable homestead exemption. I am not comfortable saying "sure take another 1% on each sale" right now.

I think citizens need some answers before going forward with 10 more years - ten years is a LONG time - of a 1% sales tax increase. I am alarmed that the Times would advocate a yes vote with so many loose ends dangling in the wind. I want to know more before I authorize a couple of billion dollars to the county and I am dismayed that the Times is okay without those answers.

Jane Williams, Clearwater

Patients vent in Congress March 6, story

The bureaucracy trap

Sadly, not just recent war veterans are stuck in the quagmire of bureaucracy that is our VA system. My loved one is a disabled Vietnam War veteran who has been waiting since 2003 for his disability claim to be approved. He earned a Bronze star for combat, but his military records were destroyed in a fire at a military records center in St. Louis many years ago. Other than his bronze star which is documented on his discharge papers that he has kept all these years, there is no record that he was in battle while in Vietnam. The VA can not approve his disability claim without a documented record of combat. After several appeals for help, the VA is searching for daily activity records from his military unit between 1967 and 1969. Can you imagine the enormity of this task!? These reports list the names of the soldiers who were engaged in combat. Without this written proof, his claim will not be approved. Shouldn't his Bronze Star be enough evidence of bravery in combat? After all a Bronze Star isn't tossed to our military heroes like beads at the Gasparilla parade. Help! Help! Help! Our Vietnam era warriors are still being treated like liars, cheats and pariahs. What can be done to give them the dignity and treatment they deserve?

Deborah Wiss, St. Pete Beach

Shameful neglect

I have been reading the recent stories of the problems with the VA followup support system with disgust and incredulity.

Here in St. Petersburg, we have a VA Hospital with a several hundred million dollar computer program that had to be scrapped. The VA wasted $3.5 BILLION on another computer system that had to be scrapped.

We have a Congressman who has occupied office for nearly 40 years and champions himself as a supporter of wounded veterans. Well, I suppose we know how far that support goes within his party.

I find it outrageous that no Congressman, Democrat or Republican, walked through Walter Reed or any of the VA Hospitals to raise a stink about the follow up care that our troops receive. Enlisted personnel would be court martialed and put in jail for such dereliction of duty. The people responsible for this will probably get a medal from the President.

We now know what this administration and its supporters are about; outsource the war to contractors, suck money out of the pockets of the taxpayers, and the wounded vets. They hold themselves out as "champions of the troops." when the reality is that they have wasted billions, failed to increase spending on physical plant, and other support systems necessary to reintegrate people who have courageously fought for us. Shame on you Congressman Young; shame on Congress, shame on the President.

Bob Tankel, Dunedin

VA health care

[Last modified March 14, 2007, 17:28:20]