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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Ballfield decision hurts neighbors

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 24, 2007

Re: Ballfield plan might end preserve debate story, June 20

I sure hope County Commissioner Susan Latvala, the East Lake Youth Sports Association (ELYSA) and the Pinellas County School Board didn't hurt themselves patting each other on the back over the decision to place four ballfields on the southeast corner of Keystone Road and East Lake Road.

It seems like a cozy deal between the County Commission (Latvala in particular) and ELYSA, especially since apparently Ms. Latvala said the additional ballfields were "promised" to ELYSA, which already has a sports complex on Old Keystone Road.

What happened to "promises" made to Pinellas County residents during election campaigns that the commission would use tax money for urgent, necessary projects including roads and safety? Guess it depends on who you know and how much influence (read: money) you have.

Hopefully, the commissioners will talk to the neighbors of the ballfield project, including three adjacent residential neighborhoods, as to how they feel about the increased traffic on already busy two-lane Keystone Road.

To those who are not familiar with this road, the backup during any afternoon rush hour can stretch eastward back to the Hillsborough County line - 3 or 4 miles.

As for East Lake Road, during the same afternoon commute the northbound traffic is often backed up to the Ridgemoor area - again, 3 or so miles to the south. Just repeat the congestion in the opposite direction during the morning commute.

With afternoon soccer games, the increase in traffic on this road will result in gridlock.

Other problems that will have to be addressed with adjoining neighborhoods will be noise as well as lights used for night games. These are intrusions that are not necessary and will greatly impact life for those of us who live near this property.

There are three county schools within a couple of miles of the Keystone/East Lake intersection: East Lake High, Brooker Creek Elementary and Cypress Woods Elementary. Why can't the additional ballfields be built on these sites? Parking lots are already available and access to roads is already established and regulated by traffic lights and crosswalks.

Guess these solutions don't fit in with the promises made by the commission to ELYSA.

Denise Browsky, unincorporated North Pinellas

Re: Ballfield plan might end preserve debate story, June 20

Budget ax should cut new ballfields

Is County Commissioner Susan Latvala out of her mind? Ballfields costing $3.5-million to $5-million for 5-year-olds to play soccer on!

Now that Pinellas County is looking to cut budgets of the sheriff and fire departments, how can she justify this expenditure? It will be interesting to hear her reply.

MaryAnn Satryb, Tarpon Springs

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[Last modified June 23, 2007, 22:17:47]