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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Traffic calming devices must go

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published October 17, 2007

Hundreds of citizens are complaining and ridiculing the creation of these monstrous things in our streets called "bulbouts," placed in the name of beauty and progress.

They are causing numerous accidents and are a safety problem.

They are robbing us of our peace of mind and costing thousands of dollars in insurance claims and out-of-pocket expenses for poor, unsuspecting citizens.

They promise nothing in the way of improvement and are eyesores.

One cannot sneer at the cry of taxpayers and citizens being inconvenienced both financially and physically by a Florida Department of Transportation design error, as approved by the city manager and her staff and the Board of City Commissioners.

Too often we have to endure ridiculous legislative and staff errors, attaching no importance to sanity and common sense. Improvements should enhance our quality of life, economy and well being, not destroy them.

The bulbouts must go.

F. Kettrell Powell,Tarpon Springs

Blame managers, not the workers

I am a city of Largo employee. I would like the public to know that the average city worker is not making the huge salary that some of your readers have mentioned. My take-home pay is $500.49 every two weeks.

I have been working for the government for only a few years and cannot believe the way employees are treated by city management, city commissioners and our mayor. My benefits cost me $280 a month, although I am being told that we will be paying more if upper management gets its way.

Management employees for the city make more than $100,000 a year. Those of us who are performing the physical work and taking care of the citizens of Largo barely make ends meet.

I don't see the reasoning behind the person at the bottom making $20,000 a year and those at the top making more than $100,000. I understand bosses make more money than regular employees, but this is a vast difference. No wonder government is unable to understand the problems of the common taxpayer - they are not touched by the problems of living paycheck to paycheck.

We aren't the ones that are causing your taxes to be so high. Look at the leaders' salaries, not the workers on the street, in the sewer or at the front counter in City Hall.

Donna Givens,Clearwater

Thanks to all for a great plant sale

On behalf of the horticultural staff and the members of the Master Gardeners of the Pinewood Park in Largo, I wish to say thanks for making our plant sale this year such a big success.

We were happy to see our longtime friends and so many new families. We hope you will continue to come to the sales.

We have much to offer besides plants. Our horticulturists are the best. They can help you with your newly purchased botanicals or offer some advice on our longtime favorites. Every living thing needs a bit of help from time to time, and our master gardeners and horticulturists can make a drooping plant a happy plant again.

Come out and visit us at the gardens any time. We will always be glad to see you. Interested in volunteering, like the rest of the master gardeners? Give us a call or drop in any time.

Thank you again. It's our pleasure to care for your park.

Marie F. Hoke-Singer,Largo

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 16, 2007, 21:21:44]