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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Shouldn't city just let the Rays go?

Rays stadium plans

The Tampa Bay Rays have made much of the potential economic boost to downtown St. Petersburg that would come from moving the stadium and developing the "dome" property. In their plan, a major part of the taxes generated would be used to pay for the new stadium.

Wouldn't the citizens of St. Petersburg be better served if the city just let the Rays out of their lease? The Rays would then be free to find another city that would build them a stadium to lose in. Then, if indeed the Tropicana Field site is going to be such a tax "cash cow" for the city, we would receive the full benefit.

By opting to build what would be the smallest major league ballpark, the Rays don't project optimism for the future. Either they don't really intend to spend the money to have a contender or they have come to realize what many of us have known all along: There isn't substantial support in the greater St. Petersburg area for major league baseball.

A really cynical person could suspect that this is just a move by the Rays ownership to have the city foot the bill to increase the market value of the franchise for a future sale.

Our elected officials should step back from the ego-driven need for taller buildings and sports franchises and look at what would really benefit the city. How about a convention center? Now there's something that would fill hotel rooms and restaurants year-round.

William Jackson, St. Petersburg

For gamblers, dogs

In keeping with our governor's desire to promote gambling as a means to pay the bills, despite its dark side, I propose that Tropicana Field be redeveloped into the nation's first combination stadium and casino, or "Stadio," with swipe-card slot machines, blackjack, craps, poker tables and all kinds of betting on live sports events.

Also, because dog ownership has skyrocketed while interest in baseball has declined, I propose that Al Lang Field be redeveloped as the nation's largest downtown dog park. Many more residents, tourists and their dogs would enjoy the area than do currently. It's most often empty.

Kevin O'Neill, St. Petersburg

Curbside recycling

Recycling: a must

Based on the fact that almost all major cities in Florida, and probably the nation, are offering curbside recycling, it is embarrassing, to say the least, that St. Petersburg, which is so concerned about having an up-and-coming, big-league image, is so far behind the times and environmentally out of step on this no-brainer issue.

The continual destruction of millions of oil-based plastic containers in today's world is unconscionable and can no longer be defended on a cost basis.

Most of the nation's cities have long realized this and charge whatever fees are necessary to make it happen. St. Petersburg must do the same.

John Farnham, St. Petersburg

Can't use sidewalks

A while ago you had an article about the problem of power chairs and scooters on the street. Since I have recently become the user of a power chair, I would like to address this issue.

I live in the Old Northeast area of St. Petersburg. In some places where the curbs are ramped, the slope of the ramp is very steep. Some curbs are not ramped at all. Other ramps drop sharply, and my chair will bottom out. The hex blocks can be very lumpy and bumpy. Many of the sidewalks are just too hard to navigate. The sidewalks of Fourth Street aren't much better.

I would love to be able to get around on the sidewalks, but it is very difficult. Some parts of town have bicycle lanes. Maybe these could be used by the handicapped, too. For now I will stick to the alleys and paved side streets.

Marilyn Porter, St. Petersburg

First Baptist Church

Fab old facades

A wonderful compromise for the preservationists and contractors involved in the potential demise of a piece of St Petersburg's history could be to follow other historic cities, like Savannah and Charleston. They have preserved the facades of spectacular buildings and then connected their new construction to the faces of time.

What a spectacular new east side entrance that would be to the expansion of the landmark Princess Martha Hotel!

Dolly Tickell, Gulfport

Historic church faces razingFeb. 6, story

Save this 'face'

Can we please save at least the facade of First Baptist Church in St. Petersburg? Just the front and those wonderful granite columns? That's what they do all the time for their historic buildings in Amsterdam, and it seems this church would be the perfect candidate, with its wide, majestic facade.

Let's not throw away another architectural gem. If I owned the Princess Martha, I would be honored to be able to preserve a special part of St. Petersburg. Wouldn't you?

Sidney Smith, St. Petersburg

Panhandling

Don't enable them

This is a letter to the nice red-haired lady in the blue van who gave a man money at U.S. 19 and the Bayway on a recent Friday. When I asked you not to do that, saying that the man has had ample opportunity to get shelter but stays out in the cold because he's a professional street person, you said, "I'd rather help than not."

The trouble is, ma'am, you're not helping, you're enabling. And along the way you're devaluing my home, and probably your own as well.

The last time I saw this man and his sidekick off the street, they were leaving Publix with 24 cans of beer.

Please, think again. Volunteer somewhere if you want to help, but do not encourage this behavior.

Judy Ellis, president, Lakewood Estates Civic Association, St. Petersburg

Share your views

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[Last modified February 12, 2008, 23:39:08]