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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Adding airport Jetways doesn't make fiscal sense

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published July 11, 2007

Other airport gets face-lift June 26, story

It is obvious that Frank Aiello, engineer at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, is out of touch with the news of massive budget cuts. Aiello and the airport staff think they need to install Jetways so passengers do not sweat or get soaked when walking off the plane.

I am a frequent traveler at this airport and walking 150 feet to the door is not a problem.

If they want to keep the travelers dry in a downpour, I would like to suggest the installation of some aluminum awnings to cover the walkway in and out of the terminal.

It makes no sense to spend $1-million per Jetway to protect me from rain, when I need to walk out the front door and go a couple of hundred yards to my car in the uncovered parking lot.

The extra area for seating when we have more than two flights at one time is only a dream. Yes, I have been at the airport at these times and it is a bit crowded. All they need to do is open a gate further up the way and spread people out.

The airport is fine the way it is. Let's wait and see if the airlines that are flying in and out of the airport survive before you spend my money on something you "want," but do not "need."

Scott Samuels, St. Petersburg

Overpriced puppets

Tell me the math was wrong. Please tell me that reporter Anne Lindberg accidentally added a couple of numbers in her story about budget cuts at the Juvenile Welfare Board. Surely, no sane public officials were funding antidrug puppet shows to the tune of $354,246 a year in this county.

For that kind of money, Jim Henson could have been lured back from the dead to run the puppet show program.

Randy Hall, Largo

So much to be proud of 

A dream turns sour for founder July 1, story

To Sophie Sampson: Please count your accomplishments!

You have labored long and hard to accomplish your goal of helping the homeless of Pinellas County, and you have succeeded far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

You have taken an old building and turned it into a place of salvation for many of our homeless and disadvantaged citizens. The job training may not have been accomplished as quickly as you might have wanted, but it is happening.

So, please, pat yourself on the back, stand up tall and look at the facts. The homeless of Pinellas County are better off because of you. Be proud of what you have done. You deserve the applause and congratulations of all the good citizens of Pinellas County. Thank you.

Nancy Keen, St. Petersburg

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[Last modified July 10, 2007, 20:38:17]