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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Stop now before it is too late

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 3, 2007

Brooker Creek debate: old dairy land or useful habitat? May 20, story

Land was set aside for a preserve at Booker Creek. This decision was official and we citizens expected it to be binding. Any action that changes the preserve changes the spirit of the meaning "preserve" and is not the desire or the intention, nor does it have the approval, of us citizens.

Greed and corruption have depleted our natural resources. Inappropriate use of natural resources has caused the extinction of plants and animals. When will we stop?

Years from now, do you county commissioners want to be known as the persons responsible for the loss of this preserve by beginning to allow the preserve to be used for other purposes? Are you going to be the example for destruction or the example for preservation?

Now is the time to stop all destruction of pristine land. Now is the time to curtail development.

Do we really need that golf course (condominium, new mall, bridge, etc.), or does someone just want to sell some land for a good price? Who benefits? The few or the many? If many, then allow it. If only a few, preserve it for the future of all life currently using it.

Should we rebuild on land that has to be replenished after a natural process such as a storm? Let's get smart and stop the destruction of the land and start conservation of all natural resources.

Susan E. Tanner, Seminole

Preserve our natural resources 

Support slips for Brooker ballfields May 24, story

I wish to thank St. Petersburg Times staff writer Theresa Blackwell for her concise reporting of the May 22 County Commission meeting regarding the fate of Brooker Creek Preserve. It was heartening to see a packed room of residents who sacrificed a work day to be heard and support the rightful future of the preserve.

There were some telling reactions to offers and alternative solutions. First off, Commissioner Susan Latvala's dismissal of Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris' offer of land for the ballfields. Apparently, 3 miles is too far to travel for those soccer-starved kids from East Lake.

I also found it odd that there was any discussion with regard to the water blending plant, considering it appears to be a foregone conclusion that this facility is being built on preserve land. It is already shown on the county Web site!

And while I don't care if there's a soccer field for every child in East Lake, the county can't afford to lose more natural resources to meet that end. I take issue with the last speaker at the commission meeting who damned all pro-Brooker preservationists because we didn't appear to be inclined to bear audible witness to the decibel breaking, teeth-grinding screech of children at play. Odd but true, there is a segment of the human population that is not a parent or grandparent. It is not remotely pleasurable, delightful, or even entertaining to be subjected to that noise.

Kathleen Finnerty, Largo

Accident victim had a huge heart 

Rider dies popping wheelie May 18, story

I must congratulate reporter Jonathan Abel for his coverage regarding the death of my son, Dennis Krone. As I sit up late at night, I am finding both their names splattered all over the Internet.

I realize Dennis did something he should not have been doing, but as his mother I would like to let some people know that under the appearance of the "idiot that did something stupid" lies a wonderful guy with a huge heart.

He moved to Florida three years ago and didn't know anybody except the guys who went with him. Within six months, he was alone but determined to stay there.

I would like to see an article that tells how more than 200 people showed up for a memorial ride for Dennis, most of them wearing T-shirts imprinted with a loving memory of this great guy. I wonder how many people could make friends at that rate. His memorial service in Mt. Hope, Kan., (population 700) packed in more than 130 people.

Dennis Krone the person was very loved by a lot of people. He would be broken-hearted if he knew how many tears have been shed over this. Yes, he took a chance, as many people do every day: drunks driving, skydivers, deep sea divers, race car drivers, people going 80 polishing their nails and talking on the phone, even walking out of your house.

I just couldn't go another day without defending the youngest of my two wonderful sons.

Tommie Krone, Wichita, Kan.

[Last modified June 2, 2007, 18:48:02]