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Today's Letters: Local artists not appreciated here

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published April 12, 2007

Re: A creative eye, looking away, story, April 7.

After reading the article about artist Roger Bansemer, I was upset but not surprised that one of our most prominent Florida native artists is packing it up and moving out of Pinellas County.

Roger has been praised and respected throughout the art community for many years as a talented, accomplished professional. His works are exhibited worldwide and are delightfully representative of our community.

To hear that an artist of his talent and accomplishment still does not get the time of day from the local art institutions is appalling.

As artists, we own property, support our local government and pay our taxes like everyone else. Yet we are not allowed to pursue our chosen profession when we are not allowed to exhibit and sell our work at local art galleries and institutions. We are basically blackballed as "local artists" and rejected by the local art patrons and public art committees in favor of artists from as far away as California.

It is the artists from out of state who are awarded the public art commissions and who are chosen to participate in our outdoor art shows. Local artists many times are not allowed into these shows, while continually being hit on by local businesses to "donate" artwork to their cause, for no compensation.

Many artists who have had careers in other parts of the country and abroad move to Florida for its warm climate. They buy homes and shop at our stores and are forgotten as professionals. I suspect they wouldn't have come at all had they known they would be branded as mere "local artists."

A diverse and healthy local art community helps our community thrive as a whole and should be supported financially and professionally whenever possible.

Judy Vienneau, director, Gulf Coast Artists' Alliance Inc., Dunedin

Re: A community divided over kids, story, April 5.

Deed restrictions are to be enforced

My response to Tracey Thuy Nguyen's comment, "I thought this was a freedom country. I guess I was wrong," is that it is a freedom country, if you abide by its laws.

Whenever anyone purchases in a deed restricted community, they are provided with the rules and regulations. By purchasing, you agree to abide by its "laws."

Think of the other owners who purchased for a specific reason, only to find out things are not what they seem. We all have the right to expect what we pay for.

The situations at the Lakes in Pinellas Park are unfortunate. I am not a heartless person. And I feel the Lakes Homeowners Association has been extremely lenient.

But rules are not meant to be broken. They can be changed, but until they are, they need to be adhered to. Think of the example we set for future generations.

Linda Johnson, Clearwater

Times reporting on Largo is biased

I always have had great respect for the St. Petersburg Times, because I felt the reports were fair, without discrimination, accurate and unbiased. I have even strongly considered the newspaper's recommendations in voting at election time.

The latest Times reporting on Steve Stanton, Largo city commissioners and the mayor has changed my mind.

All our commissioners and Mayor Pat Gerard work hard to do the job they were elected to do. They all are striving to do what they believe is right for the city and people of Largo.

St. Petersburg Times, your reporting has been judgmental, discriminatory, biased and inaccurate. You are taking the road of the National Enquirer and other "scandal rags." Many people outside of the city of Largo and across the United States have believed your inaccurate reporting. How sad.

F.P. Druyor, Largo

Re: Clearwater Beach parking.

Let's bring people not cars to beach

Isn't the object to get people onto Clearwater Beach and not to stuff as many vehicles as possible out there?

I imagine the ultimate solution is a monorail from downtown Clearwater parking to the beach. However, in the interim, shuttles could transport able-bodied day visitors back and forth.

This would lead to fewer frayed tempers caused by tangled traffic and aggravated searches for a place to park. And it would increase safety because emergency vehicles could operate faster and with fewer barriers along the way.

Now we're talking about a day at the beach!

Geri Doherty, Clearwater

[Last modified April 12, 2007, 00:20:53]