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Letter to the editor

Todays Letters: It's time to step up to save theater

Re: Royalty Theatre buys time story, Dec. 29

I sat at my kitchen table this morning with tears in my eyes. I could not believe that the Royalty Theatre in downtown Clearwater and owner Socrates Charos could be in such financial trouble, and my heart went out to both.

I am a performer and I love theaters, especially old ones. Several years ago, I saw that a very good friend and a talented performer, George Skaroulis, was going to be performing at the Royalty Theatre. It was a fundraising event for the Greek community, and when it comes to Greeks or Italians in need, they give support. The theater was filled with men and women in formal attire and young people in jeans and sneakers. It was like being at a New York City theater opening.

The show was a blend of music and song that would rival any performance anywhere. As brightly as George shined on the stage, the theater did not take second place to the performance. The theater was an intricate part of the success that night. This legendary theater gave George a place to showcase his amazing gift.

Over the years, I had opportunities to perform on that stage. Being a mentalist and performing my show, Mind Games, this was a venue that was not only a pleasure to perform in, but a venue that gave my show the opportunity to shine as well.

Each time I entered the stage for a performance I felt there was a history here that I was becoming a part of. I remembered the stars of vaudeville that worked this theater, some names that I have never heard of and some that will live forever. The movie stars like Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis that walked these boards and left their legacy within these walls.

How could this be happening to this magnificent theater? The city of Clearwater should be so proud to have this gem. The Royalty Theatre has been retooled and is state of the art, with a new stage, lighting and sound to rival the finest theaters in New York.

If you have not had the opportunity to visit this theater, don't delay. I am sure that if you love theaters as I do, your heart will go out at its plight.

As an entertainer, I would be more than willing to perform a benefit for the theater, as would dozens of other performers. All it would take is a phone call.

I know that if this theater is sold, it will not be a good thing. I see new offices and condos and shopping complexes every day. Florida has a past, but much of it has been lost to new development. We cannot let this theater be anything less than what it is right now: a queen among theaters.

I am not a politician, but I am sure that the city has spent money on things in the past with less importance. To have this gift in the center of a city that is trying very hard to have a rebirth and to ignore this situation is a sin.

I am sure that there have been mistakes made in the management of this theater, as there are with all companies. If I needed to put the blame on one reason for this financial dilemma, it would be that Socrates runs his theater with his heart. Perhaps it is time for all of us to do the same.

Bob Lawson, Clearwater

Too many people drive way too fast

Jack Schaffer, an 84-year-old man, was killed by a pickup truck as he was attempting to cross Missouri Avenue in Largo on a three-wheeled electric scooter. A few months ago, another elderly man was killed as he was crossing Missouri Avenue. This is a very dangerous street for anyone to cross.

Maybe the scooter accident was caused by the man on the scooter. However, it may have been the speed that the pickup was traveling, and it could not slow down or stop.

I genuinely believe that a good percentage of vehicles exceed the speed limits set on our streets, which in effect limits control, and they cannot slow or stop for a pedestrian crossing a street. This is not only on Missouri Avenue but all over the county.

Many drivers tend to thumb their noses at speed limit signs and exceed limits by a considerable margin. Put this to the test: Stop at a red light, and when it turns green, watch and see how many cars jump out to be first in line. And when was the last time you witnessed a speeding vehicle being stopped by a police cruiser?

Speed enforcement is lacking in our county. That's part of the problem. Lest we forget, we are living in an area where there are a lot of elderly people crossing streets. Give them a break!

Jack Keller Sr., Belleair Bluffs

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 December 31, 2007, 20:30:06]