Letters to the Editors

Top of the World missed opportunity to save lives

EDITOR'S NOTE: The first two letters are in response to Cardiac crisis devices on shelf, story, April 3.

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 6, 2000

As a resident of On Top of the World, I want to publicly thank Jeff Barnard (executive director of the county's Office of the Medical Director) for his offer of an Automated External Defibrillator. With about 3,000 residents a week using the East Recreation Hall, I am certain that any number of lives would be saved with the machine being used in that building.

I am so very sorry that the offer was rejected. The life it might save could well be mine. In my humble opinion, in the very near future in every airport, bank, grocery store, etc., we will find these machines as common as fire alarms and fire extinguishers. Some establishments will lead the way; all will eventually follow. It is too bad that On Top of the World will be a follower instead of the leader the residents deserve.

I believe the problem is one of communication and a lack of understanding of the use of these machines. First, Leslee Colen (of the condo association) seems to visualize the machine being rushed to every apartment, thus replacing a call to 911. I, on the other hand, imagine it kept at the recreation hall. Our activities center, by the way, does not have a telephone in it to call 911. In an emergency, we have to use a phone outside the building, which causes all kinds of problems, but that is another story.

Ms. Colen worries that her maintenance people would not be able to operate the machine. If I was on maintenance, I would be highly insulted. Why not teach volunteer residents? Last night, 22 residents took instruction in administrating CPR. These classes have been conducted here for many years and countless lives have been saved because residents were there with their expertise when they were needed.

Now we are being offered a machine that is as fool-proof as a machine can be made. It can be operated, I am told, by a 12-year-old. I don't think that we would have too much trouble learning how to use it.

Denial also plays a part at On Top of the World. Death and illnesses are never spoken of, as if they did not exist. It will not happen to me, the thinking goes, maybe someone else but not here and not me. Some say that the older we get, the harder it is to accept change. How old is Ms. Colen?
-- Bob Wilson, Clearwater

Residents should have been given a choice for machine

As a resident of On Top of the World I read with distress Leslee Colen's decision to turn down Jeff Barnard's offer of a free defibrillator. The offer included full support to educate anyone in the use of the defibrillator.

As the largest condominium complex in Florida, we also have the greatest incidence of sudden cardiac arrest. To summarily dismiss this most generous opportunity without bringing it to the attention of the residents and all the various service organizations here is unconscionable. We surely could have worked something out.
-- Pamela Buchanan, Clearwater

Outburst from years past thankfully wouldn't recur

Re: Fire chief denounces April Fools' Day prank, story, April 2.

Thank you for printing the article from 1926 in the Pinellas History section of the Times. I am grateful that such articles from your archives are available, because it makes me thank my lucky stars that I live in such enlightened times.

To think that a mere civil servant such as Chief Martin would have had the temerity to denounce the harmless prank of young people (a false fire alarm), using such terms as "lunatic" and "imbecile." Today, such an intemperate outburst by an obviously unstable fire chief would be met with swift action from the media, teacher's unions, mental health advocates, sociologists, civil rights spokespersons, the ACLU and perhaps even the U.S. Department of Justice.

These groups and other watchdogs of politically correct speech would have at the very least demanded Chief Martin's immediate suspension, a full investigation into his capacity to serve as fire chief, a psychological evaluation into his inability to control his rage and his remarks to the press, and a six-month sensitivity training course. Rightfully so!

I suspect, given the tenor of the times in 2000, these purveyors of psycho-babble would demand and receive Chief Martin's head on a pike. Again, thank goodness that 74 years have passed and we can all rest easy that the guardians of the people are ever vigilant.
-- David C. Cumming, Clearwater

Finally, a practical suggestion: Toss out Clearwater government

Each day as I arise, I look forward to reading the "comedy page" otherwise referred to as the "opinion page." The above referenced letter certainly was the most practical and forthright I have seen.

The writer, at 93, is my senior by 16 years, but I do wish his caliber of people were serving on the City Commission. I am in total agreement with his suggestions of firing City Manager Mike Roberto, canceling the upcoming projects and asking for the resignation of the present commissioners. It is the most practical immediate solution.

How the residents of the beach area and beach business people haven't revolted against the runaround, I don't understand. Obviously, Mr. Roberto's employment of John Asmar and the subsequent revelation of his background will serve as another notch in his gun handle and will bring forth more interesting comment on the "comedy page."
Bill Zinzow, Clearwater

Kudos to Clearwater in spite of those afraid of change

When I read the extreme suggestions by Clearwater naysayers like the letter writer, it is disappointingly apparent that they are responding to emotion and myth rather than the facts. How unfortunate for them and how unfortunate for Clearwater.

If they would make an effort to gather complete information, they would rest assured that the mayor, commissioners and city staff are dealing with fundamental problems and issues that started years ago. For whatever reason, we have lacked progress in our community. We have made a science of doing nothing. Finally, faced with a commission and staff driven to make changes and make Clearwater a better place, all the people comfortable with the status quo lose the ability to cope.

Keep up the good work, Mayor Aungst, commissioners and city staff. We need positive change in our community.
-- James D. Appelt, Clearwater

Times needs to report and stop playing power broker

Re: Controversy follows Roberto aide, story, April 2.

Your unprovoked mudslinging attack on (Clearwater Planning and Development Services Administrator) John Asmar was unwarranted and reeks of yellow journalism. The Times' relentless obsession with overthrowing the city administration of Mike Roberto is grating to me. It is not the role of the press to campaign toward an end.

Ever since the Times editorial page called for Mike Roberto's resignation and didn't get it, this paper has pursued every avenue possible to discredit his administration. Just get back to the business of reporting the news and sports, and stop trying to play power broker.
-- Alan C. Bomstein, Dunedin

Clearwater offers example of illogical water efforts

The Clearwater city administration implies there is no waste of potable water at the roundabout fountain. A report from the public services director states that the fountain uses recirculated water and that the evaporation and dissipation loss is made up with recaptured water from the mechanical vaults cooling system. What he fails to report is that the water being recirculated and the water dissipated, evaporated and recaptured is potable water -- the same water we are being asked to conserve. This is a perfect example of bureaucratic logic. If recycled water is pure enough to spray on our lawns and into the air on our lot, why isn't it pure enough to cool the mechanical room and spray into the air?

Shouldn't our administration be leaders and examples of water conservation?
-- Lee Regulski, Clearwater

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.