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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 22, 2000
The residents of Clearwater have talked about beach traffic and the roundabout and we have listened. The city has hired internationally recognized roundabout and traffic expert Barry Crown. We have tasked him to provide solutions to improve traffic flow and make the roundabout more user friendly.
Long-term, extensive solutions should begin as soon as spring break is over. However, short-term solutions begin immediately. These enhancements include improved signage and striping and directional arrows within the roundabout. It also includes a traffic light as you approach the roundabout from the causeway.
The stoplight will trigger under extremely high roundabout traffic when Mandalay and Coronado become congested. It will stop causeway traffic from entering the roundabout for up to 90 seconds and allow existing roundabout traffic to clear. Vehicles from Coronado and Mandalay will then be free to continue through the roundabout. Work on these short-term improvements will occur between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.
We have also asked staff to provide us with the costs of the second phase of enhancements after spring break. They include widening the entrances and exits of the roundabout and straightening some of the roadway. We also propose moving pedestrian crosswalks farther from the roundabout.
Almost 3-million vehicles have traveled through the entryway to the beach and roundabout since it opened three months ago. Spring break continues to attract record numbers of people. We will continue to be diligent as we monitor and evaluate the performance of the roundabout to insure that it moves beach traffic in a safe and efficient manner.
We are confident the changes under way will create the most effective means of allowing access to the best city beach on the Gulf of Mexico, while establishing a safe environment for pedestrians and motorists alike.
-- Brian J. Aungst, mayor, Clearwater
No one has yet to mention (to my knowledge) the public safety problem of Roberto's Roundabout. How do the fire engines, ambulances and police drive to an emergency when both lanes are blocked with an accident or bumper-to-bumper traffic?
There is not a median strip or a shoulder built into the roundabout for anyone to pull over to allow another vehicle to pass. Why do pedestrians need two very wide sidewalks from the small bridge to the fountain?
Where are the state engineers who would allow this design with no provision for emergency vehicles? Just wondering.
-- D.J. Heller, Clearwater
It looks like the Clearwater City Commission may cure its roundabout by adding a traffic light. But the goal of the roundabout was to get rid of the traffic light. So it failed. We threw away $12-million.
That $12-million was supposed to build parks and swimming pools in the Greenwood neighborhood and on the beach. So did we learn anything? How about that government by the Chamber of Commerce doesn't work? Government by the people works.
-- Jack N. Alvord, Clearwater
As beach residents, my wife and I have been watching the traffic circle with amusement and have come to the conclusion that the circle is actually working, except at peak periods.
The causeway traffic moves slowly into the rotary when an officer stands at East Shore Drive, but this is rare. Now the city wants to put in a traffic light? Are they crazy?
The police are doing their best by standing out of the way, talking to each other, not even noticing pedestrians in crosswalks jumping out of the way of cars that don't stop. Four officers gabbing. Is this what $29,000 buys? We already pay for police on the beach, where are they?
-- Al Simard, Clearwater
Bravo for the suggested roundabout modifications. The suggestions ditto our family dinner discussions since Roberto's Folly opened.
Tour buses that have problems navigating the roundabout certainly will continue to bring visitors, right? Wrong!
A question I truly want answered is, "Does Mike Roberto live on Clearwater Beach?"
-- Patt Hronkin, Clearwater
I read with interest about City Manager Mike Roberto using city engineers in an effort to fix the roundabout. What really amazed me is that Mr. Roberto didn't hire a bunch of consultant engineers to fix the problem.
Surely, after spending millions on consultants, he doesn't think that the ordinary city employee can do as good a job as some $400-an-hour private folks. He can have my advice for free: Get a bulldozer.
-- Roger Smith, Clearwater
I extend my thanks to all the voters who supported me in the recent election. I appreciate all the citizens who took the time to vote. It was a long campaign and I am grateful that the Largo voters elected me as their new mayor.
All successful political campaigns depend on many interested citizens helping their candidate. I appreciate the many citizens who worked for my election through contributions and phone calls and by getting their friends and neighbors to the polling places. Your words of encouragement during the campaign gave me the strength to keep working every day.
I pledge to continue to work to make Largo a better place to live and work.
-- Robert F. Jackson, mayor-elect, Largo
I would like to give a big thanks to everyone who helped on my campaign. I truly appreciated the vote of confidence and opportunity to serve the residents of Largo.
Remember, I am here to represent your voice, so please stay in touch. I look forward to working with the new commission as we move Largo into the future.
-- Harriet Crozier, commissioner-elect, Largo
I want to thank the voters of Safety Harbor for supporting me at the polls on March 14. It is a very gratifying and humbling experience to be elected by my fellow Safety Harbor residents. I am proud to have been selected to serve as your city commissioner. This is a responsibility I will not take lightly.
I enjoyed campaigning in every neighborhood and standing on your door steps listening about the issues that impact our everyday lives. Like all residents of Safety Harbor, I am very proud of our city and want to see it thrive. I believe Safety Harbor's greatest days are ahead of us.
-- Neil Brickfield, commissioner-elect, Safety Harbor
I would like to extend my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for all the help and support given to me by my many friends and neighbors of Indian Shores. Without their generous financial assistance, their devoted time and effort and the extended encouragement I needed, I would not have been able to meet the challenge on election day.
I especially wish to thank all the voters of Indian Shores who showed their support at the ballot box, enabling my success as candidate for mayor. I want to assure all of them that I will work in the interest of every citizen of our great town and hope to continue with the outstanding efforts of my predecessor who accomplished so much in his 10 years in office.
I would like to offer my worthy opponent, Janet Hoppe, best wishes and extend to her a thank-you for running a fine and unsullied campaign, despite some last minute, misguided dirt slung by an overzealous supporter.
To all the citizens of Indian Shores, be assured that my door is open to everyone and feel free to contact me regarding any municipal concerns.
-- Don Taber, mayor-elect, Indian Shores