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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Center is social hub for seniors

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 13, 2007

Re: Sun may set on Morningside center story, June 2

My husband, Arthur Lukens, and I bought our home in Clearwater's Morningside/Meadows because it was a family friendly community.

When the Morningside Recreation Center was opened, a friend, Marsha Clark, and I joined the pottery classes and enjoyed them for many years along with many other seniors, young adults and children. While my husband was very ill, I had to postpone going to the classes, but since he passed away in January, I had hoped to attend again this fall. It looks like that will be impossible.

The recreation center is a handy place for a lot of seniors to vote. We have two polling places in the building. The last time we voted in the winter of 2006, it was raining and very few voters showed. But Art arrived with his walker and oxygen tank and was complimented for coming out while others who were well didn't bother. Having the building so close certainly helped.

The Clearwater Chorus rehearsed there for years. The Stamp Club met there. There was an exercise class, a bridge club for seniors and many children's programs.

There is no longer a senior center in Clearwater. Is it appropriate to close the Morningside Recreation Center also?

Money can be found for the high-rises and docks. Will tearing down an existing building be an answer?

Elaine Lukens, Clearwater

Re: Funds for hotel but not for seniors letter, May 30

City needs center to serve seniors

I and other seniors in Clearwater are definitely in accord with the letter writer. It is unbelievable that the city of Clearwater could afford $578, 000 to help build a hotel and yet not help our seniors have a "second home."

It is a known fact that Clearwater is the only city in the United States with a population over 100, 000 that does not have its own center for seniors. Why did the city not help Senior Services before it closed its doors after 45 years?

This is unfair to the citizens of Clearwater. Kindly do something for us as soon as possible before it is too late!

Julia Zoifo, Largo

Re: At last, commissioners remember their jobs editorial, June 10

Commissioner's claim farfetched

Wow, I am rarely shocked by anything the Times prints. I expect it to be biased and one- sided.

I did a double take when I read the line in the editorial claiming to be about the Largo City Commission moving on and not letting the meetings continue to be circus sideshows. The phrase "Holmes and his cohorts" was unprofessional and childish, not something a paper should be writing when reporting the facts.

Commissioner Rodney Woods and his delusions of persecution are what the paper should be focusing on. Does any sane person believe his convenient, unsubstantiated claim against Curtis Holmes? I believe Holmes needs to get a life, but he seems saner than Woods any day.

Jayne Keller, Largo

Re: City envisions 'cafe society' story, May 28

'Cafe society' for whose benefit?

Why would Clearwater want to spend taxpayer money to improve downtown, lure food and entertainment businesses and create a "cafe society, " when the only people that would benefit from it would be those that are responsible for the deterioration of downtown in the first place?

Thanks to Scientology, much of the property is not on the tax rolls and businesses have fled downtown like the plague.

Put taxpayer money to work somewhere else and let the cult enjoy the empty buildings that it created.

David Rodman, Dunedin

Re: Costs, immigration rules force family out story, May 29

Family did not seek citizenship

This family has been living in Florida for 10 years, in a house on the beach, going to school, enjoying all the benefits as a citizen, with only a visa. Now they are complaining about taxes.

Why did they not apply for dual citizenship? Ten years ago it was not that difficult. They must have liked living in the United States but could not commit themselves to become citizens.

We should all be as fortunate to just leave and settle eventually in Spain. As far as I care, good riddance to them.

Marion Weber, Dunedin

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 June 12, 2007, 21:43:17]