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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Government at fault for problems

By LETTERS TO THEE DITOR
Published October 21, 2007

Re: 1 dead after wreck, shooting story, Oct. 9, and DVD chronicles life on streets story, Oct. 11, and DVD maker held in shootingstory, Oct. 13

All the news stories about Clearwater's North Greenwood neighborhood continue to list the problems but never solutions. Unfortunately, the mind-set of many of the young people in this area is, "Live fast and die young" (or, "If you don't agree with me, it's all right for me to destroy you").

This problem starts with the government. When the government removes the name of God and all references to the Ten Commandments from schools and public life, no basis for determining right and wrong remains. When you are not taught about selflessness and serving others, morals no longer exist.

Then, too, our government's attitude is still in the Dark Ages. The same officials who say, "We're building a library or recreation center in Countryside or on Clearwater Beach" also say, "We're giving an aquatics center to North Greenwood." Then they charge prices that most of the residents can't afford.

There is no short-term fix for the problems in North Greenwood, but Ervin's All-American Youth Club was a start. There, the young people learned self respect and respect for others as well as the wisdom of learning a trade. And did the government support this not-for-profit club? No!

And without government support the club could not survive. The club was lost, the building was lost, and the children were lost, back to the streets where there is no direction and no motivation to live by civilized rules.

Only a long-term program such as Ervin's All-American Youth Club, with the support of all the community and the government, can solve the problem.

Jay Keyes, Clearwater

Re: 1 dead after wreck, shooting story, Oct. 9

Area is treated worse than others

I would just like to know where the lines are drawn in Clearwater when it comes to crime - where it matters and where it does not.

On Overlea Street off N Betty Lane, we have been asking for speed humps for the seven years I have lived here. We have had overturned cars at Kings Highway and Overlea (twice) and we got a four-way stop. Thank you.

We have speeding cars down our street 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We tell the police this when they ask. Our street is a direct link from Highland Avenue to Betty Lane, the only one except Palmetto Avenue in our neighborhood. Why did Palm Terrace get speed humps before we did? Because they are closer to the golf course than we are? Sorry, guys, not taking away from you, but I don't recall any cars flipping over on your street since I have been here.

In August, the two cars in my driveway had all eight tires slashed in broad daylight. All the police could do was file a report. There were witnesses to this vandalism. A report filed - that was all they could do.

A friend of mine had her car vandalized on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and the forensics people were there dusting the car for prints, taking pictures, etc. Did they dust my cars for prints? No. Did they take pictures? No. Etc.? No. Why didn't they come to my house, too?

I pay taxes the same as everybody else in this city, but I get treated differently than they do. Why?

Today, I come home from work and a wrought iron and glass table in my yard is smashed. I call to file a report - not to have a police officer come out, but just to file a report, because that is what is done in my neighborhood. Would it be different if I lived in Island Estates, Harbor Oaks or off Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard? You bet it would.

Oh, and let's not forget the recent shootings that happened on Betty Lane that locked down six schools and my neighborhood for hours.

Ask the Clearwater Police Department if they have any task forces in this neighborhood and they will tell you no, they don't know anything about what is going on over here. Really, no drug dealing, no drug buying, no prostitution, no thefts, no shootings, etc.

Well, now they do.

And so does everyone else.

C.D. Andrasek, Clearwater

Complainers need perspective

My wife and I recently visited the Largo Wal-Mart, which was undergoing a reorganization. Everywhere we turned, people were complaining that they couldn't find anything.

While there, we also saw a smiling young lady get off the bus, walk through the parking lot, find her merchandise with help and head to the checkout area, still with that smiling face.

We know that young lady. What's so special about her? She goes to our church in Clearwater, where she sings enthusiastically in the choir.

Oh, I forgot to tell you. She's blind.

Henry Fischer,St. Petersburg

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 20, 2007, 21:57:40]