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By Times Staff
Published February 17, 2008

Squeaky wheel Feb. 11

'Walk' in shoes of a disabled person

You only scratched the iceberg's surface in the Americans with Disabilities Act article. Neither you, nor anyone, and possibly including Joe, could properly describe the total necessary physics involved to operate out of a wheelchair. Your article is not the exception, it is the norm in today's world and should you choose to sit and talk with me, I could open your eyes wider than today's exposure, more than you might ever imagine.

If nothing else, I could download reams of paperwork showing how many of the required public facilities are not in compliance. Think it can't happen? Then talk to me. Better yet, "walk in our shoes," so to speak, and go rent a wheelchair for a week, make like your legs are not attached, and do not get out of the wheelchair at any time to do something necessary, then report on what you discover in the world around you. This would make for an interesting article.

Douglas B. Mitchell, Clearwater

ADA compliance specialist, Pinellas County Public Works

Lawsuits are a terrible racket

I am defending three of these Joe Raetano ADA lawsuits. I was bemused by the property owner, who proclaimed to be pro-ADA, yet his pleadings resembled the typical litigation model that most lawyers with little ADA experience utilize - to their grateful defense attorneys' economic improvement. It is exactly the wrong way to "defend" one of these lawsuits.

Because of the efficiency of the federal court system, all of the pleadings are filed electronically. That means that Todd Shulby only needs a street address to access the property appraiser's official records, obtain the name of the property owner and have all he needs to file the lawsuit - which is identical in every case, except for the case number and name of the defendant. To say that it is child's play is to give it too much credit.

In fact, ADA litigation is so simple and easy that one round doorknob can be worth $5,000. But it usually starts with the parking lot, and if that is deficient, there is a virtual certainty that there will be other lapses.

The one thing that I am proud to say is that I know of no local lawyers in the Tampa Bay area who are resorting to this type of ambush litigation. I have likened this type of legal practice to ambulance chasing, except the ambulance has four flat tires, an empty gas tank and a dead driver.

Robert G. Walker Jr., Clearwater, attorney

Readers didn't get the whole story

As I read Scott Barancik's promo piece for the Raetano/Shulby team, I was reminded again of why I do not subscribe to your paper. If Barancik had done his homework, he would have found that Shulby's suits are virtually word-for-word regurgitated boilerplate lawsuits that are intended to bait property owners into running up Shulby's fees.

As one of the owners of one of the properties who received one of Shulby's drive-by suits and who is very familiar with the ADA law, I can unequivocally state that Mr. Shulby's suit was riddled with false, inaccurate and generically sloppy accusations. Our center, whose construction predates the ADA, has invested tens of thousands of dollars renovating to comply with the ADA whenever and wherever it was physically possible. There are many tenants and customers who routinely access our property. Yet, none of our tenants seems to know who Mr. Raetano is or where he was "denied access."

If Barancik had done his homework, he would have learned that the judges have disdain for Shulby's "loop-hole extortion" tactics. Barancik would have explained to your readers that property owners who receive Shulby's drive-by lawsuits have no recourse to recover their own legal defense costs, even if their property is fully compliant.

Todd Shulby and his band of filth make millions of dollars annually harassing property owners throughout the state, with no real concern or interest for disabled people.

Rick Snyder, Palm Harbor

Without tourism boom, ads say, closures loom Feb. 14

County is wasting our tax money

Pinellas County is using our own tax dollars to "educate" us on the benefits of overcrowding. I suppose they will be telling us that quality-of-life issues, such as more traffic jams because of additional cars on the roads, added strain on our infrastructure and more stress on our precious water resources will be good for us.

Will the county mantra advise residents that it is our responsibility is to accept these "minor" irritations with grace and joy?

Our own county attorney had to clear the use of the revenues for the in-county promotion, dollars that are essential to bring tourists to the hotels we have, not dollars spent to persuade residents to allow building intensities up to four times what is allowed. Interestingly, this "education" was exactly what hoteliers asked the county to do at several public hearings.

Pinellas County commissioners forget whom they represent.

Deborah Schechner, St. Pete Beach

This isn't proper use of bed taxes

Pinellas County's tourist chief, D.T. Minich, has decided to promote development under the guise of tourism in Pinellas County by using bed tax funds for his new $120,000 radio and newspaper campaign.

Mr. Minich should be reminded that promoting tourism is generally directed toward folks who don't live here but just visit, and that bed taxes have been designated for that purpose rather than supporting hotel or condo/hotel developers. Using bed tax dollars to promote development of additional transient lodging, in support of the county's quest for more hotel rooms, is not what most residents want.

Perhaps Mr. Minich could explain to the taxpayers what the extra tax burden is to us for the additional police, firemen, city workers, usage of infrastructure and more that is required to support the tourism industry. This is not an area that folks who support more and more development want to discuss.

Here's a suggestion for a fair look at this issue: Let's have an independent forensics accountant take a look at the bottom lines for the businesses represented including the restaurants and hotels, and see how much money they are making. Then, let's have that same accountant calculate how much it costs home-owners to support the tourism industry. And finally, let's adjust the taxes paid so that residents aren't footing the bill to make these business owners even wealthier.

Cherie Haigley, St. Pete Beach

Cable rivals to raise prices Feb. 13

Demand the same increase

We were recently notified there will be a $3 increase in our Bright House cable bill starting next month. The explanation was, "due to an increase in programming costs and to maintain quality of services offered."

All breadwinners should suggest to their employer that they receive a pay increase due to their increased cost of living and the quality of work they perform. Sounds fair to me.

Rabbit ears are beginning to look better all the time!

Barbara Browne, Palm Harbor

Utilities press land access law Feb. 7

It all adds up to no surprise

Shortly before the past election, you published information on how much money the utilities and, I believe, other groups contributed to Gov. Charlie Crist to carry on his statewide in-person and television pleas for the property tax amendment to be passed.

Now, your article indicates that the proposed legislation marks progress for cherished changes that utilities have pursued for years; would speed up eminent domain and grant easier access to state lands for things like natural gas pipelines and transmission towers; that no one stands to benefit more than St. Petersburg's Progress Energy Florida, which plans to build 200 miles of transmission through 10 counties; and that the utilities helped draft the bill. The transmission will serve the planned Levy County nuclear power plant, which is slated to be built next door to the 42,000-acre Goethe State Forest.

Let's see now, the utilities have pursued these changes for many years. The utilities recently contributed mega bucks to Gov. Crist. The utilities helped draft the bill and lobbied on its behalf. And guess what! The proposed legislation was accepted by the state Senate. After all these years!

Draw your own conclusions.

Wanda Stallings, St. Petersburg

Property tax relief makes bonds costly Feb. 9

States will need to boost revenue

When California reduced the property tax load on its citizens with Prop 13 with portability, it also was faced with less income. It moved to a more fee-based extortion system because we all know of the demands placed on government.

What do you think they learn about at the conferences they attend at the taxpayers' expense? I just had to pay an additional fee to renew my limited-liability company this year. One year it's $50; the next $123. What? If you were paying attention, you would know that this was only a small addition to the giant government tick on the oxen's back.

Florida has already raised fees to collect more money before the taxpayer relief has even had a chance to take effect. Do you really think government will do with less? What do you think they are going to do now? Check out the taxes on a gallon of gas? Governments make oil companies look like pikers. Try putting a gallon of Crist in your gas tank and see how far you can drive.

Actually, it might render down to something that would run in a diesel. Metaphorically speaking, that is.

Perry Cross, Largo

Hire me, anyone, please Feb. 7

Only CEOs make enough to retire

A heartbreaking story, indeed. I wonder if Brandie's job was downsized or outsourced? What we are witnessing here is a prime example of "corporate treason." CEO and board greed is crippling our work force.

We are retired and living from pension check to pension check, and that pension has been breaking. IBM has really stuck it to us. Not a single cost-of-living adjustment in 16 years while continually raising retirees' contribution to their health plans. Our ability to sustain ourselves is being sharply challenged. Going back to work in Pasco County is impossible because the pay offered is so low it does not merit starting the car. The significant rise in taxes, insurance, fuel and utilities has forced us to drastically change our lifestyle. Less use of the car, energy conservation with improved insulation and less use of electricity.

Brandie's story and the stories of those who share her dilemma need to be revealed. The parachutes for those retiring are saved only for the CEOs and their cronies.

Jack Bechtold, New Port Richey

He compared airport security to the Nazi party Feb. 6

Airports not worth the hassle

I empathize with that engineer. There is an abuse of power that is reminiscent of prewar Germany.

TSA doesn't ask, it barks! Take, for example, the reply of the supervisor, "! don't have to listen to your s--- and being called a Nazi!" Good thing they're not armed!

I'll take the train, ride in comfort and avoid the "airport hassle."

Bud Barry, Largo

Grocery stew thickens Feb. 1

An enthusiastic welcome for Aldi

Everyone remembers their "first" time. I first shopped at Aldi in 1978 in Bad Godesburg, Germany, and I was hooked. Sure, they offer good-quality staples, dairy, produce and frozen food, but how about the toys, the tools, electronics, the kids' golf clubs, the clothes?

No frills, bag your own, great deals and not just on food. Since 1978, I've had occasion to shop at Aldi in Vienna, Austria (called Hofer there); Bonn, Germany; Watertown and Buffalo, N.Y.; Woodbridge, Va.; and now I'll have my very own Aldi in Town 'N Country. Now get me a Wegmans and a Trader Joe's and my life will be complete!

Sandra Urbanski, Tampa

About rebates and the economy

It's not a 'rebate,' it's 'welfare'

Our government is giving "rebates" intending to stimulate the economy. If the minimum wage had been increased each year as the cost of living had increased, wouldn't the economy be in good shape today? "Rebate" is just a polite way of saying "welfare."

Donald F. Kelly, St. Petersburg

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[Last modified February 15, 2008, 19:57:09]