Letters to the Editors

Ex-official defends grant request

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2000

Re: Commission will contest grant lawsuit, Feb. 6.

Madeira Beach city Commissioner Roger Koske says, "It's all about ethics." I agree, it is a matter of ethics, and I'll put mine up against anyone's! All of my life, I have tried to do the fair and right thing.

Our home was significantly damaged due to the flood in 1996. We had to rebuild our home to meet current codes and did not have a choice. I read an article concerning assistance for flooded properties and followed through to collect the information and found that our home would qualify.

I also found that others would benefit as well, so I went to City Hall and asked if anyone knew anything about this grant. The answer was no. The deadline for this grant application was less than 10 days away. I was going to sign up and asked the city to encourage people who have been flooded to participate. Thus, without this effort, none of the other grant recipients would have met the Aug. 8, 1997, deadline.

Based on conversations with the Department of Community Affairs, I believe there were 21 applicants from Madeira Beach, and 15 were eligible. Seven had been selected for the grant funds (two for '96 funding and five for '97 funding). I called the DCA to find out how the selections were being made. I was told the department was doing this on a cost-benefit ratio and giving priority to significantly damaged structures. I responded that our home was significantly damaged, and DCA said: The '96/'97 money was gone, and if the department had known about the significant damage, our home would have been one of the first selected. I asked when the '98 money would be available and how I could make sure DCA knew our home was significantly damaged. As I prepared a letter for the '98 funding, I became aware that one of the '96 funding recipients was withdrawing from the program, and thus I asked in the letter to be considered for these funds, based on the fact that our home was significantly damaged.

As for commissioners not being eligible for the grant or my writing the letter to make sure DCA did not overlook the fact that our home was significantly damaged, this was clearly addressed, and seven lawyers have found there was no conflict with releasing the grant funds. (One from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, two from DCA, one from the State Attorney's Office, two of the city staff attorneys, and one outside attorney hired by the city).

Although attorney Ed Foreman -- another attorney hired by the city -- has not disclosed his position, I find it hard to believe he feels a strong need to spend additional time and money on this case. Let's face it, the city has already spent almost $20,000, and the grant funds aren't even theirs.

P.S. I am still proud of the fact that six grant recipients in Madeira Beach have received or will receive funds as a result of my initiative during the '96/'97 funding cycle.
-- Thomas Saxon, former Madeira Beach commissioner

Bus service needed at Rays' games

Since it is about time for baseball season to begin, I think the Devil Rays should look at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The Rays would get more people out to these games if there were buses after the games. They should check the schedules for nights and Sundays. They would see there are no buses at those times.

I would go to the games if I had a bus to get home on and so would other people who are in the same boat as I am.
-- Dale Cleaver, St. Petersburg

Museum was moving experience

I have just returned from a business/pleasure trip to your area. During my stay I had the good fortune to visit the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg

In addition to its wonderful everyday exhibit, there is the Ann Frank exhibit. The two together make for a truly moving and educational experience.

I wholeheartedly recommend that one and all take the time to visit this terrific museum that is in your own back yard.
-- Gary Polin, Maple Glen, Pa.

Youths' achievements need more press

Re: Troubled kids are exception, not rule, Feb. 13.

I was pleased to read the letter from Pinellas Park police Chief David Milchan and see that he had not been jaded by his years in law enforcement. We all need to be reminded that about 5 percent of all teenagers get in some type of trouble with the law and 70 percent of those have no repeat offenses. Less than 1 percent of our youths commit violent crimes.

More attention in the press about the many achievements of youths in our communities would be a refreshing alternative to the negative few.
-- Jane L. Harper, president and chief executive officer, Family Resources, Inc., St. Petersburg

Give a little, get a lot

Volunteering is rewarding. Here I am, an old fellow in my '80s and having the time of my life. I have recently finished my fifth year of helping children of about 10 years of age to comprehend simple math -- addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Twice a week, DART, my transportation, would take me in my wheelchair to the public school and then take me home some two hours later. My only demand of the teachers was that they pick out four or five students for each group who needed the most help in the subject. During the year I generally worked with three groups of children.

When a teacher has 25 or 30 students or more in the classroom, he or she cannot possibly give the same attention to the individual child as I can. Volunteers cannot replace teachers; all a volunteer can be is a slight adjunct to them.

Have you ever looked at children who have no faith in themselves? When you ask them a question, they will generally look down at their feet or elsewhere, but never at you. They will finally mumble out an answer. If they make a mistake, I never say that the answer is wrong; I simply repeat the question. They have been told that they are wrong too many times. Even when they give the right answer, it is still said in a muted tone. This is when I will say loudly, "Absolutely correct. Now, stand up and show me your pretty face and tell us in a loud, clear voice your right answer." This they love to do and it always brings loads of laughter. We are always laughing about something; it helps to dispel the tension and the fears.

Recently I missed a day of teaching because I didn't feel well. I had called the school so the children would understand why I couldn't be with them. When I returned the next time, the children had made me a large get-well card. On the front they had written "We hope you are feeling better," and they drew a large heart for love. On the inside section of the card, in large, bold print, was written "You make us feel happy for ourselves." Everyone had signed the card with a little extra comment.

I must admit that I felt quite choked up when I read those few simple words written by those children, and I also was very proud of them. They had put into those words what I have been trying to do with all the children for the past five years: give them hope and faith in themselves.

It is good to be a volunteer. Join up.
-- David Cohen, St. Petersburg

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