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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Don't dally to calm traffic; lives at stake

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 19, 2007

How many more?

The tragic accident that killed two young men on Stewart Boulevard in Clearwater's Morningside Estates may have been avoided had the city carried out the plans for traffic calming that it already has developed.

This wasn't an isolated accident. Only five houses down from where this accident occurred, a driver lost control of his Mustang and crashed into the front of a home. At that same intersection, a motorcyclist ran into a tree in the median and was severely injured.

One only has to drive down Stewart or Harn boulevards to see the scars on the trees. These are a grim reminder of many accidents that may have been avoided had the city implemented the traffic-calming plan it already has for the area.

In a patchwork effort, the city placed white lines down each side of Harn Boulevard and installed four-way stop signs at a few of the intersections. The white lines frequently confuse people into thinking that the two-lane road, which is divided by a grass median, is actually a four-lane roadway. The stop signs do stop most cars that approach them, but many just blow right though them.

The Clearwater Police Department has done a very good job of trying to enforce the speed limits and has ticketed many for running the stop signs. They do have limited resources and we realize that they have helped us in a reasonable manner.

The city knows of the problem and how to fix it. They have already spent taxpayers' dollars to design the necessary changes. Next time - and there will be a next time - maybe one of the visually impaired residents or a child who is walking down to the swimming pool at the recreation center will be injured or even worse, become a fatality.

I have put together a short video that I hope will relate how bad the accident was. It was an unfortunate loss of two lives but it could have been much worse. Had the tree not stopped the car, it probably would have gone into the house across the median. There are two young children who live there and often they play basketball with their dad in the driveway. I picked up internal engine parts from the Mustang in that driveway.

The Internet link to the video is warbird memories.com/calming2.wmv.

It is necessary to have a high-speed Internet connection to view the video.

Paul Begin, Clearwater 

Unruly youths ruin time at beach 

Re: Beach losing that family feeling letter, June 14

I am a grandma of four and my grandkids all live out of the state of Florida. They visit annually and we have had many years of fun-filled days on beautiful Clearwater Beach.

Unfortunately, we will have to reconsider a visit to the beach this summer. I agree with letter writer Cathy Foley, who recently wrote about the unruly young people who have been gathering at the north end of Clearwater Beach.

Recently, a friend of mine and I went to the beach in anticipation of a nice, quiet afternoon to relax together. First of all, we couldn't find a parking spot, then after about 10 minutes of driving around, we did find one. I took her to my favorite spot at the north end of the beach, which has always been quiet and peaceful.

We were first greeted with pounding from construction going on at some of the condos. Then, upon taking a walk along the beach, we encountered at least 100 young people and most of them had a beer in their hands - including those frolicking in the gulf.

On the way back from our walk, we did see that two police officers were on the scene and most of the crowd were on their cell phones. I shudder to think what goes on there after dark.

I hope something can be done about this problem so that I can feel comfortable again taking my grandkids there to enjoy the beautiful beach that we are so blessed to have so near.

I do not agree with all the high-rises being built on "my beach, " but I guess that is so-called progress.

Jeanne Bukovich, Clearwater

Another plea for respect at beach  

Re: Beach losing that family feeling letter, June 14

My family and I enjoy going to Clearwater Beach regularly on the weekends. In recent months we have observed the influx of young people gathering at the north beach. The vulgar acts and language that they use, as well as the trash that remains when they leave, are unbearable.

We've tried to walk farther down the beach to get away from the obscenity, but it's a lose-lose situation. Simply walking down the beach has become an adventure when you are trying to dodge skimboarders. Who would be at fault if I were to get injured by careless wave riders?

I've also tried speaking to a Clearwater police officer, who was on a four-wheeler doing beach patrol. He simply replied to my concern, saying, "These kids don't have any respect for themselves, why should they respect you?" Then a police officer passed by and showed more concern about checking the coolers of the over-40 crowd for alcoholic beverages than about the behavior of the teens.

Help us save our beach. The sun remains, but the antics of a growing crowd have taken away the fun.

Nancy Osika, Clearwater

Young woman is truly newsworthy 

Re: No more Stanton stories, please letter, June 9

You printed a short letter from Eva DeHart requesting less coverage of Susan Stanton and more coverage of local charities. I strongly agree.

Mrs. DeHart is the widow of Don DeHart, founder of "For Haiti With Love." Together they created and maintained a refuge for people in need of food and medical care in Haiti.

Many volunteers assist them, but there is one unsung hero who bears mentioning. Roseline DeHart, their daughter, is a graduate of Palm Harbor University High School. She is a young woman with a passion to help her native land. Forgoing the opportunity to continue her formal education, she has chosen to manage the clinic and food distribution in Haiti.

She has the passion and desire that St. Petersburg Times columnist Bill Maxwell found lacking in many of the college students he taught. Rosie thinks one person's contribution can change the world. This lesson is taught at home.

Margaret Golay, Tarpon Springs

Largo officials are back on track 

Re: Largo's leaders need to get back to business editorial, June 3

I am pleased and somewhat amused to see that the editorial writer is concerned with the work of the Largo City Commission. I agree with some of the comments, especially that the commission meetings sometimes display embarrassing and counterproductive behavior. The behavior I am referring to is that of the mayor and commissioners themselves.

It is apparent that for some, the Largo city charter is an irrelevant document and can be totally ignored. If all commissioners would first read the charter, then have a copy of it on hand at all meetings together with a copy of Robert's Rules of Order, city business would be conducted in a more amicable and efficient manner.

For example, if the mayor wants to control the nature of what a commissioner wishes to discuss or the time a commissioner may speak on a subject that's contrary to Robert's Rules, the commission should, together, agree on a local policy that would be enforced equally among all commissioners.

Because there seems to be confusion as to what the correct procedure is to report and enforce an alleged charter violation, it would be appropriate to request a written legal opinion that addresses the correct procedure or the options that may be available. Hiring an independent attorney not involved in Largo affairs would be a must to avoid any criticism that Alan Zimmet, the present city attorney, would be biased.

The Times editorial would lead you to believe there were problems at the commission. The fact is the City Commission is finally getting engaged in the activity of government. Democracy sometimes tends to be a little messy. Differences of opinion should not only be tolerated but encouraged where the mutual goal is to make Largo a better place to live and work.

R. Bruce McManus, Largo

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 18, 2007, 22:52:23]