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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 14, 2001
I've been watching the hoopla about the trolley that is now carrying passengers up and down the beach. It looks like fun and is a great addition for the tourists and those who live on the beach.
I can't help but wonder why PSTA isn't concerned about the working people of this county who, because of low-paying jobs, can't afford their own transportation (a car). The public transportation in Pinellas County is the most inadequate of any place I have lived -- Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas and Hawaii. I have great sympathy for anyone living here without his own vehicle.
I speak from experience. At one point it was a 21/2-hour trip to go less then 10 miles. Since then, I have had a car, and now -- for the last two years -- I have been without one again. Simply because of the hours the few buses run, I am limited to the jobs and shifts I can work.
I can't wait until I can move back North, where at least the transportation system is advantageous to working people, as well as visitors to the area.
-- V. Barrera, Largo
I, like countless others in Florida, am a disabled driver. I suffered a major stroke two years ago. Thank goodness I have a handicap tag for my car. However, I abide by the rules and regulations: It is to be used for parking only when I am in the car, either driving or as a passenger.
It clearly states on the handicap tag, "Important: Remove before driving vehicle." Why do I see countless numbers of drivers on Route 19 with these handicap tags visibly hanging from their windshields? Are these the same people who could not understand the butterfly ballots when they voted in November?
-- Regine H. Good, Palm Harbor
I would like to thank the St. Petersburg Times and Ruth Eckerd Hall for bringing Barry Manilow's Copacabana to Clearwater. What a fantastic show!
My wife and I enjoyed all aspects of the musical. The live orchestra, individual and group song and dance numbers, costumes, stage design and the comedy were all wonderful and entertaining. I believe this show will have a long life, and I appreciate the wisdom of Ruth Eckerd Hall in its negotiation to bring this new show to Clearwater.
What an opportunity lost if you did not attend. . . . We experienced a great night of entertainment, and I would strongly recommend that readers make sure not to miss Copacabana if we have the pleasure of hosting it in Clearwater again.
-- Mark Abdo, Clearwater