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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Ironman tries drivers' patience

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published November 13, 2007

I live in the East Lake area of Palm Harbor and was affected by the Ironman triathlon on Saturday.

I am a registered nurse at Morton Plant Hospital and even though I left early for my shift, which started at noon, I was not permitted to enter my subdivision after going to the store early Saturday morning before the bicyclists started. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office had many officers in the area who were rude to motorists and had a "couldn't care less" attitude.

Other nurses in my department were affected also and were not allowed to get to Morton Plant-Mease Countryside Hospital for their shift to start. These two nurses were more than one hour late.

Pinellas County already has overcrowded roads and everyone is out on a Saturday when the weather is nice. I cannot understand why this event was planned for this area and why it was so poorly organized for those of us who live here. I heard complaints all day, especially about the rudeness of the police officers.

The organizers of the event should be held accountable for such poor planning and the disregard of the citizens of Pinellas County.

Debbie Wolfe, Palm Harbor

Re: Traffic and the Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship 70.3

No routes left open to U.S. 19

As a resident of Oldsmar, I spent 45 minutes driving in circles Saturday trying to get to the only north-south corridor you so graciously left open and devoid of closures, U.S. 19. But guess what? I couldn't get there because Countryside Boulevard, Curlew Road and Tampa Road were blocked, preventing direct east to west access.

Not to mention that once I got on the west side of McMullen-Booth Road, I was prevented from getting to U.S. 19, again, because Countryside Boulevard and Lake St. George were blocked.

So exactly how were we supposed to get from Oldsmar and parts of Palm Harbor and Safety Harbor to U.S. 19? What morons thought this was a minimal impact? In my humble opinion this is far from a minimal impact, seeing any access we had to U.S. 19 was blocked from 7:45 a.m. Saturday until well after 10:30 a.m.

Seeing that this all originated in Clearwater, I understand why it was such a mess. That city hasn't been able to plan anything of value in years, starting with that ill-conceived roundabout.

Chris Tauchnitz, Oldsmar

Clearwater leaves drivers in dark

I live in Tarpon Springs and work in Oldsmar. Saturday, the only way I could get to my shop was to drive all the way down to Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard in Clearwater, then back up McMullen-Booth Road. Despite leaving 30 minutes earlier than usual, I ended up being 45 minutes late opening my shop, almost losing a customer.

Yes, I had seen the signs on my normal route, Tampa Road, that said "Ironman Lake St. George" and something about "expect delays." What I never saw was something saying "Road will be completely closed" or "Visit Web site for detour info," or "Call xxx-xxxx for info." It would have been nice to know where to go for this information.

By the way, the city of Clearwater Web site didn't list any closure on Curlew Road heading east from U.S. 19, but it was closed. I also asked two different police officers how to get to my shop (just south of Tampa Road) and neither could tell me.

I would have expected them to be better informed. Even better still, they could have been given simple maps to hand out, which would guide people around the race. From the comments I heard being yelled, I wasn't the only one in the dark.

It is also very disappointing to constantly hear what a great host Clearwater is, and how great this is for Clearwater, and how much Clearwater does to pull this off, when in fact it directly affects Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor and Oldsmar as well.

Toby Johnson, Tarpon Springs

Police rude; route to jobs blocked

How was your day Saturday? Mine was horrible. Due to the Ironman triathlon, I was two hours late to work. This made me lose pay that my family counts on. Normally it takes me 10 minutes to get to work.

The police were also extremely rude. The police are supposed to protect and serve, not yell and scream at you. I am not a criminal and don't need to be treated like one!

There was no way to turn around for miles. This was ridiculous! My son and husband were also on their way to my son's last baseball game, which he missed. My 7-year-old son tells me a female police officer banged on his window and screamed at them to move. My son now dislikes the police.

Pinellas County should be ashamed of itself for how the race was conducted. This was absolute madness, and if this triathlon is going on next year, I hope there are better traffic routes. Why can't you use the Pinellas Trail?

Ashley Scott, Dunedin

Triathlon not worth the cost

I've got to say that I have never seen a more messed-up affair in all my life. To have traffic so tangled up on major roads and highways as they did on Saturday has to be the most idiotic planning in this area to date. Why would you hold a race right down the middle of the county and disrupt so many people and businesses?

This may have made a few some money, but it cost others a hell of a lot more. I know with proper planning there's a better route than what they have used for the last couple of years. If there isn't, then scrap the whole thing. It sure isn't worth it to Pinellas County as a whole.

Robert Murray, Oldsmar

Re: Ironman triathlon.

Hear this, county: never again

What a total inconvenience to the citizens of Pinellas County and complete waste of our tax-funded resources!

Sure, a couple of hotels might fill a few more rooms for the weekend and the junk shops might sell a few more T-shirts, but other than that, the event is more trouble than it's worth.

And it's not like Pinellas County needs any help in the exposure department.

Pinellas County commissioners, please see to it that this event never again takes place in Pinellas County. Thank you.

Toby Brandenburgh, Palm Harbor

Cyclists' early start on violations

By the looks of traffic, it almost appeared as though the Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 began on Friday. Many bicyclists were out warming up for Saturday's big event. I really can't blame them and I really wouldn't mind it at all, if they would only follow the rules of the road.

As I was traveling north on Fort Harrison Avenue on Friday, a good many cyclists were out and about, whizzing through traffic. At a stoplight, though, two of them totally ignored the red light and instead made a U-turn. And then, along came another bold one, traveling right between two lanes of stopped vehicles and closely beside me. Then he, too, made a U-turn.

The cyclists' brazen moves on Friday should have landed all of them tickets. Where are all the cops when you need them?

JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater

Ironman shows off the area

Kudos to the city of Clearwater! This past weekend they put on a world class event, the Ironman Triathlon World Championship 70.3, and brought international recognition to the city. The weather conditions could not have been more perfect and the finish was even more exciting than we could have anticipated.

For every person who complained about the traffic conditions, just think of how hard every athlete trained for this race and how much effort it took for them to travel here.

We live here all year. Now we have shown the world what a beautiful place this is to continue to host the Ironman. I'm definitely looking forward to next year as a volunteer and a spectator.

Wendy Ehlers, Safety Harbor

[Last modified November 12, 2007, 21:49:34]