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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Official wasn't forthcoming

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published September 20, 2007

City Council meeting lacked decorum editorial, Sept. 12

I watched on video all of the debate at the Sept. 6 Clearwater City Council meeting over the lease of submerged city land to the Sandpearl resort for (public and private) docks.

Council member Paul Gibson's emotions seemed to be running on high, perhaps because he was too connected to the issue.

There are two links that suggest his close attachment. First, he lives and owns property in the contiguous Belle Harbor condominium, and in fact he probably received a written notice as an affected property owner from the city. That notice is a clear signal that a person is a member of a special interest group. Why didn't he disclose his ownership at Belle Harbor at the beginning of the public discussion?

Second, as a real estate agent who potentially serves the Sandpearl and Belle Harbor property owners, he has at least an implied direct or indirect interest in both properties. Based on these connections, some would even say he had a conflict of interest. That may be open to debate, but if he wished to preserve his integrity, he would have acknowledged his ownership and recognized he was too close to the issue on either or both counts and recused himself from discussion and voting.

As it developed, too much personal interest resulted in overflowing emotion not conducive to respectful discussion and productive debate. If you watch the city Web site's streaming video, he interrupted others on several occasions, and his remarks grew progressively worse in a downward spiral of negatives. At various times, one could characterize some of them as bullying, combative or belligerent.

At his worst, he became accusatory and personally attacked three of his fellow council members through comments during the debate on the item and again at the end of the meeting.

All of this behavior is boorish and nonproductive in any setting, and in a public meeting it destroys all decorum and willingness to work through the issue. What did he accomplish? As a result of the tone and conduct, he lost support for modifying the docks' operational conditions that the other owners at Belle Harbor desired and even though the council members had indicated they wanted to consider additional conditions. Was it worth it?

Nicholas Fritsch,Clearwater

Re: Self-centered Gibson must learn to behave editorial, Sept. 9

Editorial unfairly portrays Gibson

I am shocked at the position taken by the St. Petersburg Times against Clearwater City Council member Paul Gibson. The editorial's comments were forcefully phrased for the sole attempt to humiliate and demean his character by insinuating his intentions were self-centered.

Yes, Paul Gibson lives in Belle Harbor. The new yacht slip basin up for consideration by the City Council has no effect on anyone except the residents of Belle Harbor. Any resident in Belle Harbor having questions or concerns on this issue would naturally address them to Paul Gibson. Should Paul not be on the council, their questions would be directed to another council member for review.

I live in a condominium that has 40 yacht slips. As the slips may be rented to non-owners, rules were developed to ensure the safety and tranquility of all.

Mayor Frank Hibbard was more interested in proclaiming his self-importance than giving consideration to a reasonable request. To insinuate that Paul has an "elitist" attitude as a result of having residency in Belle Harbor is nothing more than demonstrating your own pompous impression of yourself.

Had Paul Gibson not owned in Belle Harbor, more than likely a similar comment would have been made due to the fact that he is a real estate agent and may have clients in the building.

In reality, Paul acknowledged the owners' concern and realized there were relevant issues to be discussed. Following are some regulations our association considered important:

1) All craft shall be properly moored to prevent damage under storm conditions either to docks or to other craft. All sail yacht owners are requested to secure halyard lines so they do not make noise in windy conditions.

2) No live-on-boards will be permitted. No overnight stay is permitted in moored yachts without prior consent of the manager.

3) Rental of the yacht slip does not allow use of any other association facilities, i.e. swimming pool, spas, clubhouse, etc.

4) All yacht slip renters must provide proof of insurance for contamination/oil spills.

5) All precautionary measures must be taken to keep from disturbing the peace and tranquility to which your neighbor and fellow owner is entitled. Do not operate any sound-producing instruments (radios, TV, stereos, etc.) above conversational loudness.

Paul Gibson was elected for many reasons. For years, there has been no control on the reckless spending of taxpayer money. Revenues are spent for projects without thorough evaluation of all aspects of the project - i.e., the roundabout, Harborview Center, Memorial Causeway Bridge, etc. All these projects cost the taxpayers in extreme excess over the approved proposals.

We need more people like Paul Gibson with his attention to detail.

Jan M. Newsome,Clearwater

Dogs need to be controlled at park

Dog parks were designed as places where people can interact with their dogs and other people with their dogs. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. One place in particular is the Happy Tails Dog Park in Dunedin.

On Labor Day morning, my friend Helen and I took our two 7-month-old puppies to Happy Tails Dog Park. We were anticipating a positive experience for the two pups.

We were not in the park more than 30 seconds when several dogs ganged up my pup. One dog had my pup on the ground by the back of the neck. I yelled, "Call your dog!" for whomever's dog it was to control their animal. My pup came to me when the aggressor released him. That same dog attacked again. I got it off my pup, hooked the leash to my pup and we left the park.

There is a wonderful agility area in the back of this park that our pups like to play on. In order to get to it, one needs to pass the picnic tables and benches set up near the front gate, with everyone and their dogs hovering over every new dog that enters the gates. Shouldn't the benches and agility equipment be the other way around so everyone can get into the park without being attacked and the regulars can socialize farther than the front gate?

We have always had a feeling that some dogs are too aggressive and the owners of these dogs think the aggression is okay. The "alpha dog" thinking seems to prevail at this particular park. It is a real shame that the majority of pet owners cannot enjoy the Happy Tails Dog Park due to a notion that bad behavior is acceptable. Speaking with other people about the park, they have said they would never return to this park because of the similar occurrences with these aggressive dogs.

Dog parks are a wonderful idea. We have visited several in this area and on the Atlantic coast. We have always had a wonderful time with our dogs and with other people and their pets. I have always supported pet parks and beaches; I will continue to do so. Pet owners should be aware that they need to train their animals to be good citizens.

Richard Werner, Clearwater

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.

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[Last modified September 19, 2007, 23:01:19]