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Letter to the editor

Today's letters: Pensions are truly deserved

Pensions are truly deserved

I just want the people out there running things to leave the law enforcement and firefighter pensions alone. People were targeting these pensions in the St. Petersburg Times, with all the tax cut publicity that has been generating headlines lately.

These people have been underpaid for years and traditionally work on weekends, holidays and at times most people are safely and comfortably in bed sleeping.

I think they truly deserve the pensions they have coming to them after 25 to 30 years of service. Studies show that most collect these pensions on average for only seven years due to their shortened life expectancies because of the changing shifts they are forced to endure. These people who put their lives on the line each day are forced to work two jobs just to make ends meet.

If they eliminate that incentive for our emergency and public service people, who in their right mind would ever elect to protect and serve while everyone else enjoys their holidays, barbecues, adequate paychecks or a bonus check for a job well done?

What incentives do the these highly skilled people ever get when they do a great job? Hmm. Oh, I forgot. They don't get one.

Times staff writer Aaron Sharockman wrote, "Public employee unions wield huge influence in the legislative process, most notably the 34, 000-member Police Benevolent Association, which in 2006 spent more than $2-million on state elections. For years the police and prison guard union has won raises for state officers' pay and expanded pension benefits."

The Florida Highway Patrol and every other state employee who works to protect us in the state of Florida didn't even get a cost of living increase this year despite the PBA and other union efforts.

Please leave the law enforcement and firefighter pensions alone. That's the only incentive they have.

Bob Lanese, Largo

Re: Clearwater Memorial Causeway and June 27 story, Suit faults design of bridge

Put up barrier between lanes

The builder and engineers of the bridge say that for the speed limit and the driver paying attention, the median is safe.

Okay, we can all stop laughing now.

In a perfect world, we'd all drive at the speed limit.

In a perfect world, we'd all be paying strict attention to the road.

In a perfect world, no tire would ever blow.

In a perfect world, no one would ever drive impaired.

In a perfect world, we'd all walk on water and wouldn't need the bridge.

Hey, the world's not perfect, folks! Just put up the barriers before a family gets killed.

Dollars don't equal lives!

Joan E. Sherman, Clearwater

Re: A new, but busy coffee shop could have perks editorial, June 29

Support local coffee shops

I encourage anyone looking for a good cup of coffee in downtown Dunedin to stop by the Boxcar at Main Street and the Pinellas Trail, Cappuccino's Bakery Cafe on Broadway, or Purple Moon on Douglas Avenue. How will these local businesses be affected by a national chain?

Michele Melrose, Dunedin

Thanks to those involved in rescue

On Friday, June 22, I was swimming in the gulf at Honeymoon Island when a riptide captured me. Being unable to escape the grip if it, I had reached the point where I knew that only a rescue would save me.

At the last moment, a man and a woman arrived and performed the rescue. Almost immediately, a lifeguard was there as well.

Although I felt okay, the EMS team found that my blood oxygen level was extremely low and I was transported to Mease Hospital.

I want to openly thank all those involved in my rescue and recovery.

Bob Hagaman, Homosassa

[Last modified July 3, 2007, 09:23:33]