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Today's Letters: Crosswalk time endangers elderly

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 29, 2007

Re: Elderly man struck by SUV dies story, March 27

Twenty-nine seconds seems hardly enough time to safely cross a six-lane street, especially for the elderly and disabled.

Mary Fallo, 80, was hospitalized with a broken arm and sadly lost her husband, Armando, 85, who died from his injuries after they were struck by an SUV at the intersection of Missouri Avenue and Jasper Street in Largo.

Let's hope that the state Department of Transportation, which owns the section of road, will give the green light to add more time for pedestrians. And it wouldn't hurt to check out other intersections as well. What's the point of having a pedestrian crosswalk if pedestrians can't make it across in the time allotted?

JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater

Budget cuts can be found easily

I think Clearwater should take a harder look at budget cuts and realize they are living high off the hog. Why are we supporting Ruth Eckerd Hall? Why do we need five libraries? There is too much road maintenance that is not necessary yearly. The city Sailing Center should be privately funded. The Jolley Trolley is empty most of the time. The Harborview Center is not used enough for that kind of funding.

What neighborhood program exists? Office on Aging? Urban forestry program - that's a joke. I just trimmed an oak tree that Clearwater never cared about. I paid $450 out of my own pocket.

I could go on and on. Get real, Clearwater government. Our taxes are too high.

Brenda Gerry, Clearwater

School buses pose threat to area

The plan to put 300 school buses adjacent to Briar Creek Mobile Home Park will affect the health of the citizens of Briar Creek greatly because of the increased air pollution.

Briar Creek is an older-than-55 development with the majority of the citizens in their 70s and 80s, many suffering from asthma or other health issues.

The noise from the buses in the predawn hours will be a great annoyance to the residents of Briar Creek as well.

In addition, 300 school buses departing and arriving several times a day will affect the traffic congestion on McMullen-Booth Road, which is already a severe problem.

We feel this type of facility should be located in an industrial area, away from homeowners.

Bob and Alice Tompas, Safety Harbor

Jonson deserves the thank-you

I enjoyed your recent article about Bill Jonson on the completion of his six years on the Clearwater City Council.

Bill has done an outstanding job, in my opinion, and has served our city with dedication and efficiency. Whenever he took a position on any matter under consideration, he did so only after detailed study and careful analysis - and I always felt that he was trying his best to make Clearwater a better place to live.

Thank you, council member Jonson, for your devoted public service. I hope you decide to represent us in the future, in any capacity.

Bill Schwob, Clearwater

Re: What they think is sport is torture letter, March 26

Racers take to water like a turtle

In response to the letter writer who was worried about the elderly residents of the Oaks of Clearwater squirting turtles with water to make them race, I went back and looked at that picture. Yes, the residents were smiling, but so were the turtles. If I were made to walk on all fours with a heavy shell on my back, I would be overjoyed to have someone squirt me with water.

Bob Gardeski, Clearwater

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 March 28, 2007, 23:46:50]