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EDITOR'S NOTE: The first three letters are in response to Retirees get fed up when it comes to dining with kids (April 13) and other letters on that subject.
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2000
My mother worked for 10 years in a restaurant that catered to retirees. The majority of her customers were very pleasant; however, there were a few miserable people (like the letter writer) that she dreaded having to serve. My late grandmother worked in nursing homes for most of my life. Most of the people were bedridden and didn't receive many visitors. They were thrilled when Grandma brought her grandchildren or great-grandchildren for a visit.
The writer should be grateful he has his health and can go to restaurants. If he doesn't wish to dine with children, he should stay at home and cook for himself or have his meals catered. Or better yet, open a "55+
only restaurant." But then, who would work there? A sure bet would be people with children.
The writer referred to Florida as being filled with retired people. Has he been hiding in his gated, 55+
community? The dynamics of the state have changed. My husband will be retiring from the U.S. Navy in two or three years and is attending a weeklong class on transitioning to the civilian sector. On the day the letter appeared in the Times, the topic of the class was "Best Places to Live and Work in the United States." It was based on categories such as the job market, cost of living, schools, crime rate, etc.
Guess what? The Tampa Bay area ranks No. 8 in the U.S. Scoring for each category was 0 to 100. The job market in the bay area scored a 98. Who is working at all of these jobs? I don't think it is the retirees. I believe most of those jobs are filled by parents with children at home.
The letter writer should get used to the fact that Pinellas County is not the same as it was 36 years ago and, if he doesn't like children, stay in his gated community.
-- Lori Roach, Naples, Italy
I am disabled and only get out about eight times a month, but my dining experience has also been severely disturbed by unruly children about 90 percent of the time. I would not suggest that children be banned from all restaurants. But since many have posted special "kids' days," may I suggest that perhaps one day be designated "no kids day."
I have also tried 55+
mobile home parks (grandkids visiting), parks (limited bus access and more kids), local cemeteries (funerals with rowdy kids). I'm not old enough for a retirement home and can't afford to move into an assisted living facility unless Social Security doubles, and I'm not broken down enough for a nursing home.
Although cooking is excruciating and difficult, I cook my meals at home as often as possible. But when I must attend to chores outside, I have to get my meals at local establishments. Then I control my urge to stifle the youngsters, especially when they spill drinks, wipe dirty hands on my clothes, bump or trip me or drive me from the room because their shrill voices have given me a blinding headache.
When I was a youngster, we either behaved, were severely disciplined or our family banned us from public places. Dining out was a special event and enjoyed by all.
-- Ruth Accetta, Clearwater
We can eat out wherever we want with our kids. Stay at home if things like children crying or screaming bother you. You have no right saying that parents with small children should go to McDonald's or Chuck E. Cheese's.
Most parents work 40 hours and deserve to go out and have a steak dinner with their kids, good or not. Move back to where you came from because Florida is for young and old people. Or stay at home and don't eat out.
I grew up in Clearwater and graduated with 990 kids, so older, retired people don't make up Florida.
-- Marti Crenshaw, Clearwater
I would like to take this time to compliment Clearwater for helping to keep the city "sparkling." On March 18, I had the pleasure of having my house painted through Paint Your Heart Out, Clearwater 2000.
Special thanks to the volunteers of Republic Bank who took time out of their busy schedules to perform such a worthwhile deed. It makes my heart feel good knowing there are still people who care.
-- Darlene Jones, Clearwater
I've lived in this area for less than six months and have found many difficulties with the way some residents and government officials conduct themselves.
I have lived all over this country and overseas and I have never seen such discourteous, inconsiderate drivers as I have seen here. People complain about the so-called roundabout (the correct terminology is traffic circle) but I work on the beach every day and have no trouble with it. The problem I have is with the idiot drivers who try to negotiate it with their insolence and ignorance.
I do have to agree with many readers that have written in to say it is too small. Maybe our law enforcement officials should start enforcing the traffic laws so that road rage would not happen during rush hour to and from the beach. I would also recommend that there be a posted speed limit in the roundabout and have it enforced.
On another subject, the city of Clearwater uses, or should I say abuses, its powers as a governing body for the benefit of developers to build downtown and at the beaches. I don't see any good in the city's use of eminent domain other than to line the pockets of developers and to contribute to commissioners' campaigns.
I'd like to thank the Times for giving me this opportunity to voice my opinion. And for those up for election in local government, I will be certain to voice my opinion at the polls, also.
-- Paul A. Rasmussen, Clearwater