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Letter to the editor

Toady's Letters: $3 entry to Fort De Soto would be a good deal

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published July 4, 2007

35-cent entry to paradise may rise June 25, story

As a resident of Tierra Verde, I think raising the toll to Fort De Soto Park is a good thing for many reasons.

First, Pinellas County officials need to find extra revenue to offset tax cuts. Why not raise the fee and charge the people who are willing to pay for use of one of the most beautiful parks in America? I think at $3 it would be a deal when compared to other parks in the country. Why should taxpayers subsidize the upkeep and maintenance of the park when the park could pay for itself?

Also, on weekends, holidays or any good weather day, the traffic on Tierra Verde is horrendous, backing up over 1 mile when the bridge goes up. Residents are angry this problem is not being addressed. Charging more would help reduce some of the traffic here, and I think most Tierra Verde residents would be very happy at that.

The reason that more than 3-million visitors use the park is its natural beauty. Increasing the fee will help to maintain this unique part of Pinellas County for future generations to enjoy.

Paul Lee, Tierra Verde

35-cent entry to paradise may rise June 25, story

$2-3 a car is reasonable

I have often wondered why the fees were not higher at Fort De Soto Park. It's a wonderful and affordable place to spend the day. But I was thinking that even $2 a day would help out greatly and also allow some of the residents who do not have a lot of money to spend a relaxing day away from the city. I do think $4.50 or more is too much. Perhaps $2 to $3 per car, and then anyone launching a boat could pay a bit more. Also maybe there could be another fee for those using the piers.

This would allow a lot of our lower-income families a way to enjoy the wonderful beaches and the picnic areas. I personally do not go to the beaches because feeding a parking meter all day is not my idea of fun; nor is it economical.

Fort De Soto is a great place. The dog park is well used, as are the picnic areas. It just needs to stay reasonable so all of us can enjoy it.

Cheryl McCready, St. Petersburg

35-cent entry to paradise may rise June 25, story

Fee should increase

I am writing in response to the idea of an increase in the toll fee to get into Fort De Soto Park. I have long held the position that the fee for entrance to the park should be increased to the level that was described in the paper.

A vast number of the people using the park are from outside the county, state and the country. You have only to do a survey of the car tags to verify this. The Bayway tolls were established for the construction of the Bayway bridges but were hijacked by the Florida Department of Transportation for other road projects. Now we have to look to other revenue streams to fund replacement bridges.

The idea of entertaining an entire family for $4.50 certainly appeals to me. The Tierra Verde drawbridge is in terrible condition.

The bridge has outlived its usefulness in part because of the heavy traffic going into Fort De Soto. Should Pinellas County residents foot the bill for bridge replacement for people coming from out of the county? I think not so much.

As for the more frequent users of the park, perhaps a system similar to the one in the state parks with an annual membership entry fee could be established with the SunPass or a sticker program.

Matt Gasper, St. Petersburg

Save the Snack Shack

Yes, Archibald Park in Madeira Beach is a park, and it was given as such to veterans.

In the center of it sits the old Snack Shack that for years was run by veterans. Even if it made no money, just visiting it took you back years when you walked through the doors.

I could sit there having a cup of joe talking to other veterans over the years until veterans were pushed out in favor of letting a restaurant take it over. Losing that effort, the city settled, costing the taxpayers a lot of money. It also left the shack below standards.

Now they are going to try everything they can to tear it down. To them, a parking meter makes more money. That's what seems to matter to those in our city government.

Notice all the old mom-and-pop places closing down? The things that made this city what it is today are going away, to be replaced by parking meters and condos. It costs you an arm, if not a leg, today just to shop or go to the beach feeding those parking meters.

Forget about swimming or lying on the beach unless you bring your alarm clock with you. I even had to shake my head as the city argued for a way to spread the cost of the boardwalk at John's Pass. That's after they got a loan for it and replaced it. Now they want the tourists putting money into the parking meters, plus the owners of the shops, to pay for it. The city owns the boardwalk, and agreed years ago to maintain it.

Perhaps we need people in our city government who are for the citizens and not out to see how much money can be made off everyone. In this house there are four votes to save the Snack Shack and to save Madeira Beach from its idea of what our city should be.

Michael Pinto, Madeira Beach

Mom barred at door of teen bowling night July 1, story

A parent's right to know

Parents should have a right to know if their child is at the place where he/she is supposed to be. This is just plain common sense.

If children know that a parent can check out their whereabouts, it would help them from going astray and end a lot of needless worrying.

Donald F. Kelly, St. Petersburg

Ticket ends the day

Lunch at Moon Under Water with my family: $77.

Museum of Fine Art membership renewal and complimentary tour: $250.

Italian ice cream for two at Paciugo: $9.

$17.50 parking ticket for exceeding 90-minute limit: priceless!

Peter Motzenbecker, St. Petersburg

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[Last modified July 3, 2007, 21:26:45]