Today's Letters: Orchestra needs community help

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published October 9, 2007

Notes of discord resonate as season begins Oct. 4    

John Fleming's excellent article on the Florida Orchestra's recent unrest raises critical questions: Why does a thriving metropolitan area of nearly 3-million people with a high percentage of older, affluent residents have a symphony whose musicians are at the bottom of the country's pay scale? Why are they being asked to take pay cuts when orchestras in struggling cities like Detroit or smaller ones like Kansas City earn up to three times as much and are not being cut?

What is missing with this orchestra? It has talented musicians who bring in a substantially higher percentage of its income from ticket sales than most orchestras. It has perhaps its most gifted, dedicated and personable conducting staff ever. It has a new executive director who is experienced, committed and decisive.

What may be lacking is leadership, both from elected officials and from the community - people who have the vision and commitment to help the orchestra achieve its full potential. That is what has kept fine orchestras viable in faltering places like Cleveland, St. Louis and Buffalo .

As the bay area strives to be major league, having one of its key cultural institutions on the ropes looks pretty bush league. A quality professional symphony is a significant draw for both visitors and prospective residents and is an invaluable educational resource. Marginalizing it further would strengthen the "cultural wasteland" stereotype that dogs Florida and diminish the bay area's economy and stature.

Ann Schweitzer, South Pasadena  

Too much charity for the rich Oct. 4, commentary by Robert Reich

Cramped view of charity

Robert Reich is critical that the wealthy give to charities such as symphonies, art museums, theaters, etc., because that is where they spend so much of their leisure time, or to universities they attended because they expect their children to attend. His solution is that unless the charity is for the poor, the donor should be allowed to deduct only one-half of the contribution.

Let's set the facts straight.

There is no 100 percent income tax rate. The top rate is 35 percent. Even factoring in state income taxes, a donor is still reducing his income tax liability by less than 50 percent with the contribution. In fact, if a taxpayer's income exceeds a certain level, there is a reduction of the allowable itemized deductions (which includes charitable contributions). Stated simply, anyone making a charitable contribution is standing most of the cost of the donation himself.

Reich's criticism that the wealthy donors give to charities in which they have a personal interest is ignoring a fact of life. People, whether wealthy or not, generally give to charities in which they have a personal interest, whether it be their church or synagogue, university or museums.

Reich's suggestion that only donations for the poor should be entitled to a full deduction is impractical to say the least. For example, when one gives to the United Fund or the American Cancer Society, how much of the proceeds are for "the poor," however that may be defined?

With the Democrats favored to win the next presidential election, let's hope Reich does not end up back in the next president's administration.

Jerome Schine, Temple Terrace

Et tu, Toyota? Oct. 4

An mpg nanny

After reading Thomas Friedman's column on mandated fuel economy, I still have the same objection: Why? Why is the government - any government - mandating fuel-economy standards for cars and trucks? Isn't that up to the consumers? I have been of this opinion ever since fuel-economy standards were imposed by the government. It's one more example of the nanny state.

Friedman mentions the Natural Resources Defense Council. That organization is a litigation and agitation group, not having anything to do with "defending natural resources." It is a collectivist organization seeking to impose its agenda on the rest of us!

On automotive matters, I speak with some background. I raced cars for 30 years and follow regulations and requirements imposed on the auto industry. For what purpose? To burden the consumer and mulct him of his "resources" for some wild-eyed purpose!

Edmund A. Hamburger, Pinellas Park

Wal-Mart drug plan works

A year ago, I questioned Wal-Mart's $4-a-month drug program because they were counting many drugs by the dosage and not by the individual drug. Now, I am happy to say that Wal-Mart's drug program has probably done more to help the public with its health care than any other single entity next to Medicare.

With the new addition of 14 more drugs (and there are already 143 drug compounds), I am able to treat 70 to 80 percent of my patients' needs with $4-a-month drugs. This is cheaper than the co-pay with patients' HMOs or Medicare Part D drug insurance. Patients may be wise to drop the Medicare Part D, which is costing them $25-$30 a month, when they could get the $4-a-month medication from Wal-Mart.

Due to Wal-Mart, Target and other pharmaceutical suppliers have had to reduce their drug prices. Publix is giving away free antibiotics that will cover a high percentage of community-acquired infections.

Patients whose doctors have not allowed them to take advantage of these savings should possibly be looking for another doctor who is concerned about their cost as well as his profit.

Stanley S. Moles, M.D., Largo

Iraq summary

Good news needed

Okay, so we know in full, gory details how many have been shot, killed, sniped, blown up and dragged through the streets of Iraq.

Could you now please do a story on the good things America is accomplishing over there? I know we've built hospitals and schools. How many? Where? What else have we given them?

It's not truth in reporting unless you tell the whole story. We'd all be encouraged with some good Iraq news for a change.

Matt Coyle, Clearwater

A family's thanks

The family of the late Sgt. Ronald Harrison would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Tampa Bay area communities for your prayers, tributes, donations, kind words and acknowledgements of his life.

Sgt. Harrison, of the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office, took great pride and enjoyment in serving this community, and he will be greatly missed.

Renee Harrison, Temple Terrace

She filled a short life with little treasuresOct. 8, Epilogue

Cherish life

In this day and age of war and global instability, we sometimes need to be reminded of how precious life is.

It was with heartfelt sadness that I read of Hannah Nichole Deal's death, but how I smiled upon reading of her life. I can't imagine losing somebody so dear, but thank her parents for sharing the story of her short life with us.

Hannah's legacy to me is: Life is short, and nobody knows how long we have here. Don't let a moment of it pass without enjoying it, as young Hannah seemed to do, for far too short a time.

John Caton, St. Petersburg

Ready to chip in

Very recently there were two articles in the St. Petersburg Times concerning the Florida Orchestra, one telling of the first concert of the season, generally complimentary of the orchestra. The other item detailed the apparent downsizing of the orchestra and is certain to cause consternation on the part of the whole group, including the fine musical director, Stefan Sanderling. In addition to downsizing, members' pay was to be cut by 8 percent and the season shortened.

I recently moved to a retirement village in the area, and one reason was to be near the orchestra. I have purchased tickets to all the regular concerts and will be attending some of the "Pops" shows. I hear glowing reports of how "great" a symphony we have. My feeling is that the orchestra is looked upon with pride by a great many people.

In addition to the number of tickets I now purchase for myself and family members, I have been a contributor to the orchestra for more than 10 years. While the contribution is modest, it is substantial considering my financial standing. I would be willing to double that amount if a way can be found to keep the players' salaries on the same level as the past season.

By the way, there seemed to be practically a full house at the season's first concert, which is encouraging. This is no time to downsize or cut performers' pay, just when we are on the verge of becoming great.

Jimmy McKey, Tampa

[Last modified October 8, 2007, 21:53:11]