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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Why were school threats unequal?

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published October 14, 2007

Bomb sweeps conducted at high school Oct. 9 briefandThreat talk alarms schoolOct. 12 story

I found it curious that there was a brief about the bomb threat and evacuation of the students at Palm Harbor University High School, while the story about a student making threats against his fellow Countryside High classmates warranted a cover story in the Local & State section.

What disturbs me most is that while the bomb threat at PHUHS was treated with great concern by the school, there are similarities in both stories.

While communications were received by both schools' parents via the automated voice messaging system from the principals, the information we received certainly was not enough to give us either a clear picture of the actions being taken or the status of the situation. A message received Monday evening provided a detailed list of what transpired that day, however, previous messages were general in nature and did not help overcome the anxiety we felt sending our children into a potentially dangerous situation.

Yes, we received regular messages from PHUHS Principal Doc Allen (and they are appreciated), but in this high-level information age, we want and need more concrete, detailed information. With no media coverage of the situation at Palm Harbor High, I could only speculate.

Was the bomb threat purposely kept hush-hush? The bomb threat was discovered last on Thursday, Oct. 5, with the threat of action on Monday at noon. Many parents did keep their children home from school, as that morning's classes were following a shortened schedule to accommodate the hour and a half evacuation.

How do we prepare our children for a day at school in which bomb sniffing dogs are present? How do we send our children to school with confidence that they will be safe? Was this bomb threat a hoax, or is there a student or students who are being questioned and investigated?

The story about the threat at Countryside High is greatly disturbing. Don't all parents in Pinellas County need to know what is happening at all the schools?

Bomb threats, school shootings and verbal threats of violence - where does it end? How can we raise our children in this culture of violence and danger?

Lori B. Siegel,Clearwater

Textbook prices are outrageous

When I went to St. Petersburg College 20 years ago to study nursing, I often complained to my friends and family about the high cost of textbooks. In the past 20 years, things seem to have gotten worse. Now my son is taking classes at the college and I would have to say the cost of his books is elephantine.

Last term one of my son's books cost $160! It turned out the teacher only used the book a few times. This year the cost of books continues to careen out of control. This year most of his books cost more than $100 each. Teachers require books that are sometimes barely used or not at all.

I think it is time for St. Petersburg College to stop price gouging for books.

Lisa Little, Dunedin

How hard is it to regulate the gate?

I have lived in the Tarpon Woods subdivision (in East Lake) since April 1984. During this 23-year period, I've experienced about 10 or 12 street floodings. The water always stays in the streets and on the golf course until the gate on the overflow canal is opened.

You shouldn't have to be a rocket scientist to know that it is impossible for the flood water to get to Tampa Bay until or unless the gate is opened. They can construct all the ditches or pipes they want, but you still have to open that gate.

If we can put a man on the moon, don't you think we could save the taxpayers a lot of money if Swiftmud could just learn to regulate that darn gate?

Jim Mohr,East Lake

Memorial a tribute to long-fallen state wildlife officerOct. 9 story

Fact that killer's still alive is wrong

With sadness I read the article about the death of wildlife Officer Margaret "Peggy" Park in 1984, a person whose life was ended before she could fulfill her dreams.

What is more tragic was to read that her murderer still awaits his execution on death row! For 23 years we have had to shelter, feed and provide medical for this convicted killer. Why? There is something terribly wrong with this situation.

George Mann,Palm Harbor

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.

[Last modified October 14, 2007, 00:13:52]