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Today's Letters: Coverage didn't show full picture

Eckerd College 50th anniversary

I read with dismay your recent articles on the 50th anniversary of the founding of Eckerd College.

You would think from the limited range of their coverage that a college is the sum of its financial health and leadership choices. Why not ask what the college has done for its students and its community in the past 50 years?

An interview with a few alums and current students would have highlighted the college's transformative power throughout the decades.

A cursory review of the public events and visiting distinguished speakers over the years would have demonstrated the cultural and educational opportunities the college has made available - usually for free - to everyone.

An interview with the president that focused less on finances and more on the professional and personal impact of this innovative institution for thousands of residential and nontraditional students - many of whom have stayed in the area - would have shown how the college has contributed countless positive benefits to the Tampa Bay area, Florida and the rest of the world.

If you read newspaper coverage of the college's founding in 1958, you sense that this was a triumph for the whole of St. Petersburg, something even the media were excited about.

The celebration of 50 years of Eckerd College is a celebration of an invaluable, steadfast and ever-improving community resource in which we can all take pride.

As the year progresses, I hope your reporters will dig deeper for future pieces about the college's meaning and value to the community.

Stephanie Kadel Taras, 1989 Eckerd College graduate, granddaughter of founding president, William H. Kadel, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Amendment 1 could force firefighter layoffs Feb. 24, story

Fund fire rescue

The story on Amendment 1's "shortfalls" for "all dependent and independent" fire districts didn't mention one district, the only one that does not receive ad valorem taxes and gained nothing during the boom years of real estate values: Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District. It is also the only fire department that must ask the voters' approval of any increase. In fact, it's the only government agency that must ask voters to okay its budget funding.

In 2003, voters approved an increase of $70 per year, bringing the flat rate annual tax bill to $190 annually, regardless of the value of the property - million-dollar mansion or tiny apartment. Voters in most of the district turned down increases during the past several elections.

Once again the department is attempting to balance a budget by referendum March 11. If approved, its first increase in five years (only one increase in 11 years) will bring funding in November 2009. Unless voters prefer taxation without representation by a city department at about two mills, voting Yes on March 11 is the only alternative.

Bob McEwen, commissioner, PSFRD, Indian Shores

Proposed widening of 102nd Avenue N

Improve 102nd Ave.

I believe most people living around and using 102nd Avenue know there is some controversy surrounding the widening of the road to four lanes and adding bike paths and sidewalks. A few hundred people have signed a petition to not make the two lanes into four lanes.

It should be noted that several thousand people who use 102nd Avenue have not had a method of expressing their views. I believe my views will represent the thoughts of the vast majority of those people.

I have lived near 102nd Avenue since 1970 and have used the road regularly since that time.

I was here when they updated 102nd between Oakhurst Road and Hamlin Boulevard, which eliminated the open ditch and improved the overall appearance of the entire stretch of road.

I believe the same would be true from the improvement of the remaining sections of 102nd Avenue. The remaining open ditch is certainly not very attractive, and a lot of labor is involved in its upkeep.

I think most people would admit that making left turns out of the subdivisions along 102nd Avenue can sometimes take a little while, and possibly be a little risky. Having a median for a resting area between the opposing lanes of traffic can help relieve both of these problems.

In regard to the increased traffic and noise level, where would the increased traffic come from? It has already been mentioned that the area is built out and the number of vehicles using 102nd Avenue has not increased. Also, there is no reason for the noise level to increase. The speed limit should remain the same.

It was also mentioned that the road would be more dangerous for joggers, bikers and hikers. I would think just the opposite would be true. We will have new bike lanes, better sidewalks and medians to make it easier to cross 102nd.

And finally, why would we want to use the $33-million budgeted for 102nd Avenue on other road projects? Those other projects could very well be in North Pinellas County, where we in mid Pinellas would get very few of the benefits.

Philip Wolfe, Largo

Waterfront stadium

Some like stadium

As downtown residents and members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, we want to clarify the position of the association regarding the proposed stadium.

We recently received an e-mail from the DNA regarding the association's position opposing the building of the waterfront stadium. While it isn't surprising that the board is so shortsighted as to oppose the stadium, it is surprising for the board to behave so unprofessionally as to speak for the association without once asking for the association's input. People need to be aware that the association's opposition is really just the position of a few members who unfortunately constitute the board.

Gary and Annette Grooms, St. Petersburg

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We invite readers to write to us. Letters for publication should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. They can be sent by fax to (727) 893-8675or through our Web site at www.sptimes.com/letters/. They should be brief and must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Please include a handwritten signature when possible. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be published.

[Last modified March 1, 2008, 23:27:10]