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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Tarpon project a waste of money

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published October 16, 2007

I have been told that several years ago when the project to redevelop the major arteries of Tarpon Springs was proposed, the citizens were advised that they could view the anticipated project at the city library. Personally, I do not recall ever seeing any such notice. Had I been aware of the current fiasco, I would certainly have been more outspoken.

There has been a tremendous waste of taxpayer money. While I am sure that a lot of expense has been put into the concept of aesthetics, splitting a sidewalk into half concrete and half brick is a waste of taxpayers' money. Pouring concrete twice, the labor that went into the laying of the thin pavers, as well as the anticipated maintenance of those thin pavers when they start cracking and coming loose, has got to be incredible.

After you get past the sidewalk issue, you look at the center medians down the turn lane. Why couldn't those have been left open, so as to not create a hazard to the driving populous? Why couldn't they have been left open to facilitate emergency vehicles being able to get through the traffic? Traffic can no longer get out of the way because of those median inserts.

Along the curb line, there are periodic extensions that come out to nearly the edge of the painted road stripe. These are poorly marked and create another driving hazard. There have been numerous accidents where people have run into these extrusions that seem to have little, if any, purpose. We have lost parking spaces that we desperately needed.

I realize that the citizens of Tarpon Springs have always wanted to improve the vision of the community. However, I believe the general populous is totally dissatisfied with the waste of money. Now that we are in the midst of the project, one can only hope that some of the hazardous conditions can be eliminated.

This is a lesson to all the citizens of Tarpon Springs as well as any other community. You had better watch what the city is proposing to develop, and watch it closely, or you have only yourselves to blame. I blame myself for not being more attentive.

John G. Thompson, Tarpon Springs

Do away with moonlit schools

Welcome to Florida, land of sunny beaches and moonlit schools. Yes, I said moonlit schools.

This is Florida, where high school students run for school buses between 4:30 and 6 a.m. by moonlight, like Harry Potter braving the dangers of the forbidden forest. These students have no magic powers, just exhausted parents.

School then starts by moonlight at 7:05 a.m. We are near the equator and it does not get light till 7:30 in winter and not much earlier in summer.

The students then must sleep by daylight, like Dracula, in order to rise between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. to once again get the bus.

Any changes in school choice must include a reasonable start time for high school. The present system is unhealthy and detrimental to learning.

Sheila Nahmias,Clearwater

Re: Dreaded route turning into rush hour dream,editorial, Oct. 11

Flip side of route is far from dream

Your headline is true only if you are headed north on U.S. 19. If you are going south and want to make a left turn to cross U.S. 19, you are taking your life in your hands.

I have seen up to eight cars waiting to turn left, unable to turn. In some cases, they were backed up into the southbound lanes. I came from Countryside and had to go down to Sunset Point Road and come back north to get to Cypress Point shopping center.

There is no traffic light from Druid Road to Enterprise Road to create a break for left turners. I will probably read about serious accidents on that stretch of U.S. 19. Pity the "snow birds." Is this what we call good highway design?

D.A. Janssen,Dunedin

Re: Helipad headed for approval, story, Sept. 25

Find better spot to locate helipad

First, I'd like to set the record straight. The Clearwater Audubon Society board did not take a position regarding Matt Geiger's application for a helipad.

At no point was there worry or discussion about propellers slashing migratory birds. The issue was the people using the preserve, particularly volunteers who conduct migratory bird counts at certain times of year.

Typically, birds are scared away by loud noises. It is that startling that may lead a bird to become more vulnerable to predators or to become injured. A study was provided to staff. It's impossible actually to provide restriction dates or times (for using the helipad) to Mr. Geiger because of uncertain weather and other unforeseeable circumstances.

I'm concerned about the buffer zones between the preserve and private lands and I'd prefer that unusual requests around a preserve be carefully scrutinized by the county staff and the Board of Commissioners. I do not believe that is the case, however. Staff reports appear to be templates that were quickly filled out and do not address the concerns of the residents of East Lake. The report does not answer whether the helicopter will violate the county noise ordinance.

The staff recommendation (that the County Commission approve the helipad) itself defies common sense. There is only one request, but there are more than 288 people opposing.

Brooker Creek Preserve is also not identified as a neighbor in the report. I feel that the Board of Commissioners has unfavorably proceeded on the basis of staff recommendations in the past. Do we really want another bloody thumb?

At this juncture, Mr. Geiger has the opportunity to pursue both aviation enthusiasm and environmentalism. He is actually very fortunate to be one of the individuals who can make a big difference in a positive way if he really wants to. I think stewardship and respect for our earth is one of the best family values to teach children and that stewardship should start early.

I think it's fair to say that if Mr. Geiger wants his own helipad, he could find a property in a suitable location and open Geiger Airport. I don't believe it is in the best interest of his immediate neighbors or the wildlife to operate a helicopter in his current location.

My concern is furthered by the ballfields proposal and what really should be a middle school in East Lake. I am still trying to understand why our growing youth population needs ballfield expansion and for that expansion to be in East Lake, yet we aren't citing the same need for a middle school directly in East Lake.

If this community continues to struggle against the county at every turn, they may need to rely on the Council of North County Neighborhoods and the Tarpon Woods Action Committee to incorporate the area.

In any case, I will respectfully request the board deny the request for a helipad at Mr. Geiger's residence. If Mr. Geiger is listening to his neighbors as he said he wants to, then he will withdraw this request because the neighbors' feedback is clear.

Barbara Walker,East Lake

Verbatim

"Right now the beach is abandoned. If you walk around, you see virtually no one there."

Clearwater City Council member Paul Gibson on the impact of construction projects on Clearwater Beach businesses

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 15, 2007, 20:46:05]