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Letter to the editor

Todays Letters: Beware impact of Referendum No. 1

On Dec. 25, a notice by the c ity of Clearwater was published in the Clearwater Times, outlining certain issues to be voted upon in the Jan. 29 election.

Referendum question No. 1 deals with donation of city-owned property for workforce housing and asks for a yes or no vote on this issue as provided in Clearwater city ordinance 7901-07.

Unfortunately, that ordinance was not published, nor is it on the Clearwater city Web site. Therefore, the public is being asked to vote on an issue without any knowledge of what the change in the city charter will do.

If the amendment passes, the City Council would not be required to declare the land surplus or no longer needed for municipal public use, and a public referendum would not be required. The City Council could hold a public hearing and donate up to one-half acre if the council determines it is for workforce or affordable housing.

There is no limitation in the ordinance to identify what type of property, how zoned, whether a park or not, etc. It appears the council would have free rein to determine the type of property and the citizens would have little recourse or input.

Generally speaking, we the people do not like to give governments that much power, but if we are not informed, we could. I urge the citizens of Clearwater to become informed before voting Jan. 29.

R.G. McCall, Clearwater

Save the Royalty from its owner

While I do heartily agree with those recent letters to the editor claiming that the Royalty Theatre in downtown Clearwater must be saved, none have gone so far as to continue that line of reasoning. What the Royalty Theatre needs to be saved from is owner Socrates Charos.

After managing to purchase the theater, Mr. Charos proceeded to redecorate the historic structure in a style that can only be described as Grecian budget bordello, and defying all logic and history itself, managed to make it an unprofitable theater as well.

I have yet to see, under Mr. Charos' kind ministrations, the Royalty Theatre offer any performance that might, by any stretch of the imagination, hold a shred of general appeal to the paying public. When he offers anything at all, admittedly rarely, it's something that few, if any, would care to see, let alone drive to downtown Clearwater to see it.

So, yes, please do save the Royalty Theatre from its current owner. Find someone who understands that the general public is the paying public and entertainment actually requires that you entertain.

And make them promise to change the decor.

Alfred Jarry, Clearwater

Dr. Dean, staff earn hero label

On Dec. 10, my 33-year-old son suffered a stroke to his brain stem. This has left him with a degree of "Locked-in Syndrome," where the victim basically is paralyzed and can only communicate by blinking his eyes.

Life support is required because the brain can no longer tell the body to breathe.

There are only 200 cases of this type of stroke reported yearly worldwide, and they are usually fatal. I believe that the quick professional actions of Dr. Robert Dean's staff saved my son's life.

My son went to Dr. Dean's office without an appointment because he was having trouble seeing. Dr. Dean had left for the day but his receptionist and nurses immediately realized here was a serious problem.

He was rushed to Mease Countryside Hospital, where he suffered the stroke but received immediate critical care.

Dr. Dean and his staff have continuously followed up with us on my son's condition and progress. I cannot say enough good things about these people.

For Christmas, Dr. Dean's staff donated many presents for my son's 3 1/2- and 2-year-old boys, all wrapped and age appropriate, and Dr. Dean supplied our entire family of five adults and four grandchildren with a delicious baked ham dinner complete with appetizers and desserts.

I cannot thank these thoughtful and caring people enough. In this day and age of big business - insurance and medical - where the bottom line is the top priority, it is heart warming to see such genuine caring and compassion for your fellow man.

John B. Berg Jr., Tarpon Springs

Hail to the circus, it really is greatest

We just left the "Greatest Show On Earth." It was nothing short of spectacular, with the light show, costumes, live music, animal acts, clown performances and daredevil stunts, also the preshow of the animals and letting all of us go down to the floor and receive autographs and pictures.

Thank you very much, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey!

Carole, Heidi, Sam and Max Mason, Oldsmar

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 January 7, 2008, 20:23:23]