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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Speeding is simply out of control

Re: Scooting at the edge of law story, Dec. 15

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

Re: Pack of greyhounds attacks man, small dogs story, Dec. 21

Greyhound attacksad for all involved

My heart goes out to all the parties involved, as they are all hurting. It's obvious that the owner of the dead dog loved his dog. It is equally obvious that the owners of the offending dogs love them, as they are rescues from a nefarious industry.

Unfortunately, even though in Florida it is illegal to train greyhounds on live animals, many are trained on kittens and rabbits out of sight and out of the state. In this case, the greyhound racing industry is guilty of programming these dogs to chase small animals.

The industry cooperates with adoption groups because of the bad publicity it got when disposing of "retired" or slow-running dogs in horrific ways.

This is a tragedy for all involved, including the dogs. Passions are high now, but I hope cool heads will prevail with humane solutions.

Marilyn Weaver,Tarpon Springs

Re: Beach cleanup is only tip of inconsiderate society letter, Dec. 19

Our waterwaysare trashed, too

I would like to add to Largo resident Diane Greenman's letter. She says it's a shame slobs litter our grounds. How about our waterways?

We own a house on Clearwater Beach. When it's low tide, I actually get sick to my heart when I look into the water and see all the trash. I really should take a picture of it all and send it in to the St. Petersburg Times, because people wouldn't believe all the beer bottles, plastic, coolers, etc., that litter our waterways until the tide goes out again.

I'm sure our boaters have respect for the water. So where is it coming from? And what can we do about it?

Jan Nierengarten, Clearwater

Drug treatment facility a danger

There is an item of real concern to our community, the Embassy Mobile Home Park, a senior community with approximately 600 residents.

Adjacent to this park is a now-vacant motel (on U.S. 19 near East Bay Drive) being offered for sale by the Church of Scientology, along with a vacant lot owned by Ameri Pride Inc.

The prospective buyer is Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, with the objective being that through the state Department of Corrections, they will use this facility to serve prison inmates with substance abuse problems (drugs, alcohol, etc.). The site will house 283 people.

Many of the approximately 1,200 residents in three senior parks surrounding this facility are in their late 70s and 80s. Several have very limited mobility, are under a doctor's care and are on medication. They are the most vulnerable potential victims for substance abusers.

At a homeowners meeting of these residents, it became abundantly clear that the seniors are afraid that the move of those prisoners will not only endanger their lives but make them targets for theft of medication and other possessions, even if only 2 percent of the substance abusers would seek the means to satisfy their addictions.

We understand that rehabilitation facilities are necessary. However, it is our strong conviction that this particular location is definitely an inappropriate and wrong choice, and would be an open invitation for severe problems for the area seniors as well as for the Department of Corrections.

In the likely event that any resultant problems of theft and assault should occur, the residents of these elderly parks would hold the Department of Corrections, the buyer, and the authorities who approved the move totally responsible.

The Rev. Peter Breedveld, Largo

Re: What's on the mind of drivers? editorial, Dec. 26

Get the facts before comment

I cannot sit back this time without expressing my opinion. First and foremost, you omit the fact that it was raining hard and very windy on the evening of Dec. 16.

Remember, there were three accidents in the same location within an hour's time. After months without rain, anyone from Florida knows that the roads become slick with oil.

Second, whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? You have no idea what happened and until the investigation is complete I think you should have all the facts before rendering an opinion. How do you know that the "Move Over Act" was even violated?

I know you need to sell papers and I have been a longtime customer of the St. Petersburg Times. I am just so disappointed in the way the facts get so distorted. Need I remind you again that the accident is still under investigation?

Marian Chappel, Palm Harbor

Re: City caves in to Scientologists letter, Dec. 28

Times bias is all too obvious

Once again, David Rodman of Dunedin, an obvious favorite with you, has submitted an anti-Scientology rant to the St. Petersburg Times, and for the second time this December (Scientology using seasonal cult tool, Dec. 5), his vitriol is printed. His first attempt at a smear attacked Winter Wonderland, of all things.

What's up with that?

Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard is targeted by Rodman, too.

The transparency of prejudice and political preference by the editor has become a sad but comical parody of small-minded bigotry and media bias.

Lee Meekcoms,Dunedin

Your voice counts

You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, 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 January 1, 2008, 21:29:51]