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Today's Letters: Why not use schools' fields?

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published April 2, 2007

Re: Preservation vs. place to play story, March 17

I don't think there is anyone in the environmental/conservation community who disputes the value of soccer and other organized sports.

There must be a number of sports fields on the properties of various schools, and I suspect these facilities are not used to their full extent.

Could not a compromise be reached to allow use of those facilities by the East Lake Youth Sports Association, or ELYSA? Sure, there will be scheduling conflicts, but couldn't they be worked out?

If school athletic facilities are in need of improvement, why not use some of the $700,000 in Pinellas County grant funds awarded to ELYSA (for the fields in the preserve) to improve the school fields? Both schools and East Lake youths would benefit.

Our children need access to nature, too, in addition to sports. There must be a way to avoid sacrificing one for the other.

Dave Kandz, St. Petersburg

Audubon conservation chair, St. Petersburg

Re: Ballfields' location still unclear story, March 26

Kids benefit, too, from preserve

Fortunately, our county commissioners are investigating other sites, such as sites owned by the Pinellas County school district, as future recreational fields for our young people rather than appropriating parts of Brooker Creek Preserve.

Brooker Creek Preserve is one of the last parcels of land in Pinellas County offering a glimpse of natural Florida's flora and fauna.

Yes, of course, we need to offer our young people more recreational facilities. On the other hand, our youngsters have much to gain in their development from hiking in the preserve, exploring our wildlife and plants, and learning about our environment from presentations at the preserve's Environmental Education Center.

We do need to protect and preserve Brooker Creek Preserve in its entirety.

Carol Lushear, Dunedin

Mayor muzzles commissioner

Does the Dunedin government have a policy that forbids an elected commissioner from commenting on an issue or questioning a citizen during the public meeting of the commission?

My wife, Linda, and I attended the March 15 Dunedin City Commission meeting. We spoke during "citizens' input" about our car being towed (from a private lot) during the Mardi Gras Festival. This exchange followed our presentation:

Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski: "I'd like to respond to him (Thomas Morrissey Jr.). Can I?"

Mayor Bob Hackworth: "It's not necessary to respond."

Bujalski: "Well, I'd like to."

Hackworth: "Well, you can talk to Rob (City Manager Rob DiSpirito) about it and then Rob can do something later. We've all had a lot of conversations about it so ..."

Bujalski: "No, I understand that. I just wanted to respond."

Hackworth: "Respond - to who?"

Bujalski: "To him" (pointing to citizen Thomas Morrissey Jr.).

Hackworth: "No, we don't have a conversation (with) him."

Bujalski: "I'm sorry. I can talk to a citizen if I want to say something to a citizen."

Hackworth: "Yes, you can, and I'll be happy to give you his phone number. I just gave the man plenty of time."

Thomas Morrissey Jr.: "Mayor, I'm a little confused here. This is a public meeting."

Hackworth: "Please don't be confused. I let you speak for about 10 minutes."

Thomas Morrissey Jr.: "And the commissioner wants to ask me a question."

Hackworth: "No, she cannot ask a question."

Bujalski: "I don't want to ask a question. I just want to make a comment."

Hackworth: "I really would prefer that you don't ... we dealt with this in many different ways. People talk ... you're welcome to talk to him by phone, okay?"

In a democracy, an elected representative should be allowed to express his view during a public meeting in regard to a citizen's concern. Unfortunately, it appears that the Dunedin mayor feels differently.

Linda B. and Thomas F.

Morrissey Jr., Seminole

Stanton got dose of own medicine

Largo city commissioners were right - both times - to fire City Manager Steve Stanton, maybe not for the reason that finally made it happen, but so Stanton could get a dose of his own heavy-handed management style: to be fired for no good reason, as was public works employee James Gesicki, among many others. Except Gesicki was fired for doing what he thought was right to help someone else. Stanton was fired for doing what he thought was right to help himself. And was Gesicki given a comfy 12-month severance package to help soften the blow?

Stanton himself admits this story is no longer exclusively about keeping his job but also about educating people about something that they don't understand. Well, I resent the fact that my city has been turned into a spectacle in the media and my tax dollars are being spent to push Stanton's own personal agenda. It would be interesting to know how many of those who speak or write so passionately on Stanton's behalf are Largo city employees.

Yes, I'm a little ashamed of the reason that brought our commissioners to finally terminate Stanton's employment but, in this case, the end justifies the means.

Jan Willis, Largo

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 April 1, 2007, 22:23:02]