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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: No good reason to cut Brooker Creek

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 13, 2007

Why does our county government want to remove 2, 400 acres from the Brooker Creek Preserve? Is our county government still committed to a sustainable natural and urban environment in Pinellas for the current and future generations? If so, how can reducing the size of the preserve help to sustain our natural and urban environment, with no undeveloped land of any size left in the county? It cannot be for a sustainable environment but for the freedom to use this land in ways that are prevented by the "green" designation.

This proposal is contrary to a sustainable natural and urban environment for Pinellas. This is breaking the trust with the public, as well as bad science. The utility department land is compatible with the preserve land, and that is why county government in the early 1990s joined these properties. Nature preserves and well fields do coexist in harmony in other places, and both are most important for a sustainable environment.

Brooker Creek Preserve gives us a place to enjoy native Florida in our densely populated county. It is an important part of our heritage, and in the future, no land in Pinellas will be more revered. I hope our county commissioners will reject this proposal to remove land from the preserve for those of us here now and those to come. If they truly want to protect our environment, they will not remove the utility land from the preserve for nonpreserve uses.

Reggie Hall, Ozona

Developers, clean up

It seems that not too long ago, development was on the tip of everyone's tongue. Suddenly, many of these grandiose plans have fallen apart, with the developers holding up construction and walking away, even after breaking ground. We hear that the stalled projects will be built, just not as quickly.

However, developers are leaving empty lots littered with debris and makeshift fencing, creating unsightly properties.

Developers should be required to clean up their unfinished properties with temporary beautification to include landscaping with grass, trees and benches. After all, it is their mess and they should be responsible for cleaning it up. Don't allow them to just walk away.

A resident is told that his grass is dead and gets a citation because the property is too dusty, thus making the neighborhood not such a nice place to live. The developers are allowed to leave a mess and walk away. There is something very wrong with this picture.

Ann Santos, Largo

St. Petersburg isn't green

I cannot agree that St. Petersburg can call itself a green city when we have no curbside recycling!

Why is it that our taxpayers will not pay extra for recycling but have to pay a city official to watch if there is too much sand in our lawns?

I went to Port St. Lucie recently (which is a smaller city than ours) and they have curbside recycling. I believe if we all just recycle more, then we can call ourselves green.

There is a Web site with links to a group here in St. Petersburg that has individuals who will recycle just about anything so that it does not end up in the landfill (freecycle.org). We have had this for quite a long time.

Sherri Lafleur, St. Petersburg

More important issues May 30, letter

Presbyterians disagree

We are writing in response to this letter regarding the Presbyterian Church. The letter writer describes the Presbyterian Church's actions as "unmitigated, unabashed anti-Semitism."

No matter how much a person disagrees with the statements of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we believe one cannot say the Presbyterian Church (USA) is anti-Semitic. The Presbyterian Church (USA) at its 2006 General Assembly acknowledged the hurt and confusion caused by the discussion of divestment, and is finding new ways to invest in Israel and repair relationships with the Jewish community.

Here in Tampa Bay, representatives of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have worked with the Jewish community to forge greater understanding of issues that are important to both faith communities. We strongly disagree with the tone and content of the letter.

The Rev. Doug McMahon, Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg; the Rev. Todd Sutton, Lakeview Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg; the Rev. Susan Snedeker-Meier, Presbytery of Tampa Bay; Rabbi Michael Torop (Temple Beth-El), president of the Pinellas County Board of Rabbis; Dr. Bruce Epstein, Brian Fox, co-chairmen, Pinellas Jewish Community Relations Council

If it seems too good to be true, check it out June 6, story by Nick Birdsong

Contests and scams

Legitimate contests can be a wonderful world where ordinary people can enjoy extraordinary fortunes. Trivia buffs, especially, can reap rich rewards. Radio and television contests are strictly regulated by the FCC and a station can lose its license or be fined if a DJ, for instance, breaks the written rules of any specific contest and plays favorites, such as awarding family members prizes or their personal friends or favorites in an unfair manner. If the rules stipulate a waiting period of, say, two months before re-entering a specific contest, that is a rule for all listeners, not just some.

People can't be bilked if they realize that no legitimate lottery, sweepstakes or contest requires money from the winner in any amount to collect their winning money or prize. Always smell a fish if you've been told you're a winner and money is required to release your prize. It's a scam 100 percent of the time.

Robert B. Fleming, St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg mayor keeps other career options in tune June 6

Worried about Baker

Wow, am I ever impressed with our multitalented mayor. And yet somehow I'm getting this strong image of another emperor playing an instrument while his empire burns! Am I alone in this thought?

Karen Swanigan, St. Petersburg

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We invite readers to write to us. Letters for publication should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. They can be sent by fax to (727) 893-8675 or through our Web site at www.sptimes.com/letters. They should be brief and must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Please include a handwritten signature when possible. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be published.

[Last modified June 13, 2007, 02:34:06]