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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Code enforcement needs to be cut

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 10, 2007

One good way the city of St. Petersburg can cut back on spending when its tax revenues are reduced is to cut back on the codes enforcement department. It is nothing but a nuisance to homeowners. Codes officials ride around all day in air-conditioned gas-guzzling SUVs, giving citations mostly for vehicles parked in the yard, regardless of the reason and how long they will be there. Now people are being cited for having too much dirt in their yards.

A lot of money can be saved by cutting way back on these employees' salaries, benefits, postage, their SUVs and the gas they use.

You can still have a small department to handle complaints when they are reported (and they will be reported if they exist). Then the department can send someone out in an economical compact car to investigate, and if there is a problem he can leave a note on the door (a la delivery and salespeople), thus saving a clerk from having to type up a letter, stuff the materials in an envelope and mail them to the homeowner.

Dean Ritchison, St. Petersburg

No to boat, RV parking

You can expect no support from your county commissioners to enforce recorded deed restrictions.

Some residents in our deed restricted neighborhood are parking large boats and RVs close to their fence lines. County ordinances prohibit permanent structures within 7 feet of property lines as they present a fire hazard. Shouldn't this law apply to boats and RVs? Storage is located 1 mile from our home and is affordable.

Our friend's daughter-in-law died in a fire that originated on their boat and spread to their home.

The cost of storage is minimal compared to safety. I worked in the real estate industry for 10 years, and homes were seriously devalued when RV and boat parking was allowed.

Why are we not protected?

Annice Price, Seminole

Ex-official is honorable

Two complaints against Boos go to ethics panel May 30, story

I have known Martha Boos for the past 19 years. As a citizen advocate for many years, Martha brought many issues to the Madeira Beach City Commission. She was both applauded and booed. I have disagreed with Martha many times over the years, but she always did her homework, researched the issues carefully, asked a lot of questions and spoke truthfully. As a commissioner, she continued to do her homework, researched issues, asked a lot of questions and spoke truthfully.

In a small-town political arena, things get nasty, blown way out of proportion, and sometimes people do not want to hear the truth. This mockery - a "branding of Martha" - is an example of why well-intentioned, honest citizens will not run for public office.

Deby Weinstein, Madeira Beach

Coach was rare leader

Tom Haight recently retired as the longtime swim coach of Seminole High School, leaving a void in coaching that will likely never be completely filled. He brought to coaching not only a passion for swimming and the ability to develop champions, but also the rare ability to develop leaders.

As a former diver Tom coached decades ago, I not only gained the skills to qualify me to move on to college sports but also the desire to pursue a career. Through my own experiences, and now those of my children's coaches, I have yet to see the perfect blend of advice in technique, in competitive strategy, as well as the mentoring and leadership development Tom brought to coaching.

Coaches like Tom Haight with such rare skills should be acknowledged and applauded. Here's to you, coach Haight!

Beth Costello, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Flooding in St. Petersburg

Flooding is widespread

I am writing to comment on the constant articles about the flooding in Shore Acres. I think that it is getting a bit old, and there are many other places throughout Pinellas that get just as bad, if not worse.

I live in Shore Acres. Last year when we had that terrible rainstorm in February, I believe I was stuck on 49th Street and 38th Avenue N, and cars were literally floating around without the tires reaching the ground because the water was so high. I was concerned with the flooding at home in Shore Acres and called my husband. He said there was no flooding whatsoever.

Also, there are many areas in Snell Isle that get very bad. Why isn't there anything written up about those areas?

I have spoken to many people who have lived here more than 30 years, and they never had water in their homes. I've spoken to people who live in other areas of Pinellas that have been flooded out more than once.

The Times is going to be looking for the worst street in Shore Acres to do a huge article on because that is all they know. And sure enough, they even take a shot that makes the water look twice as deep as it is.

There are people who should get educated on other areas as well. People who are looking for a home here in St. Petersburg think that Shore Acres is the only place that floods. They are educated by the St. Petersburg Times, and that is sad.

Tina Shae, St. Petersburg

Be aware of beach birds

Birds live where you play May 26, story

Thank you, Theresa Blackwell, for alerting the public to the plight of the flightless chicks currently on the beaches.

On May 20 I was checking the south end of Caladesi Island for nesting birds, and my heart went out to a family of snowy plovers. The two adults were desperately trying to keep their three flightless chicks together as they ran back and forth depending on which way the joggers and beach walkers were going.

It will help the chicks to avoid exhaustion if joggers stay closer to the water at this time of year, even though that's where the sanderlings are busy feeding.

Nancy Ogden, Audubon volunteer, St. Petersburg

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[Last modified June 9, 2007, 20:49:00]