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Today's Letters: Another side to Palm Hill vote

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published April 17, 2007

Re: Majority may not be enough for Palm Hill story, April 10

I was very disappointed in your one-sided coverage of the controversy surrounding the purchase of the Palm Hill Mobile Home Park land in Largo. Basically, you covered the issue primarily from the view of those supporting the purchase.

Where was the interview with the resident leaders representing those who did not vote for the purchase? Or the interview with the attorney the opponents were forced to hire at their own expense when the board obstructed their efforts to present the arguments against the purchase?

In their interview, did the board or its attorney, Joe Gaynor, even tell you:

-That according to the park's bylaws, the percentage of votes needed to purchase was 75 at the outset, that the percentage of votes needed to purchase was changed two months later to 66 2/3 percent, and that the most recent number needed to purchase, 50 percent plus one vote, was announced by the board only after the vote had determined that the before-mentioned 66 2/3 percent had not been achieved? What is the board attorney's position on this?

-That the proxy votes handed in weeks before the designated voting day of April 3 had been opened almost immediately, counted, recorded and reviewed? Did the board then use the voter information to target residents to change their vote to yes? What happened to the sanctity and confidentiality of the secret ballot?

-That this early opening of the proxy votes was in direct violation of a court order imposed on the board for a similar violation in the past?

-That contracts for tens of thousands of dollars to both survey and process the loan application to purchase the land had been committed to by the board even before the vote was taken April 3?

-That the board had refused to provide the names, addresses and phone numbers of the out-of-town residents to the "no" group of residents so they could be contacted with important information refuting the information of the board, but the board had contacted these same residents, some repeatedly, by both mail and telephone?

-That the board has an agreement with attorney Gaynor involving more than $1,100,000, yet no one has seen it? What are its terms?

The issue of whether to purchase the land or not is most likely the most important issue that the residents of Palm Hill will face for the rest of their lives. It is very unfortunate and disturbing that the board chose to take such a strong position to purchase while doing everything possible to prevent a free flow of information so an informed decision could be reached.

As a result, many residents are still confused by the complexity of the issue and angry at the board for continuing to pursue it in the courts at additional legal expense to them.

I could continue, but I believe I've made my point that only the board and Gaynor's side of the issue appeared in the story. I hope you will remedy the imbalance.

Bill Oldakowski, Indian Rocks Beach

Wal-Mart flouts tortoise rules

I was at the Tarpon Springs City Commission meeting when the Friends of the Anclote River spoke against Wal-Mart and its treatment of the gopher tortoises.

I abhor the way Wal-Mart has handled this whole situation.

Wal-Mart always seems to have an excuse for its actions. I am amazed that the company would even try something like this, knowing that the Friends of the Anclote River are watching closely.

As a prior member and chairwoman of the code enforcement board, I just want to say that unfortunately, people think it is easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission. During my term, we were bombarded with cases like this one. Developers and private owners alike continually came to us , saying they didn't know the rules.

Someone as large as Wal-Mart definitely knows the rules. I can only hope that it's fined to the fullest extent of the law.

Nancy Dively, Tarpon Springs

Arts community can be found 

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

The Clearwater community will surely miss Roger Bansemer. He is a fine artist and friend and may well be right about certain local galleries.

But the Pinellas art community is much more varied and vibrant than he "paints" it.

There are good galleries and numerous groups and institutions nourishing the arts, among them the Pinellas Arts Council, Dunedin Fine Art Center and Gulf Coast Museum of Art, plus various art clubs and guilds, too many to mention.

At Masterpiece Art Supplies, we deal with many professional artists, students and hobbyists, and are constantly amazed at the creativity - and thirst for it - that abounds here. Some of our customers sell on the beach or the Internet, others are international marketers, but good art is in demand and we see community support growing. If you seek it, it is there.

Paula Plowey, Palm Harbor

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 16, 2007, 22:31:16]