Letters to the Editors

Inattentive parents make curfew necessary

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 26, 2000

Re: Curfew for teens has some adult critics, story, May 22.

Some parents argue that the Largo curfew should be lifted. Of course. They don't want to be responsible for teens or care where they are as long as they're out of sight.

Never mind that behavior comes back to haunt them and the rest of us. For three years I tutored at Largo High, Pinellas Park High and Clearwater High because others weren't interested, notably parents. I can tell you that the problem with most kids is their parents.

The parents who are most vocal about their "rights" are the parents who don't respect our rights by positively influencing their teens. We have the right to be protected from children who have been deserted by irresponsible parents. That's why we have a curfew and jail.

But the crowning illustration of the idiocy of this parents' rights argument comes from a Largo city commissioner who said: "I still think it's a parent's right to have authority over children." Parents still have the right, but the important word is not "right," it's "responsibility."

Also, this commissioner said: "I think it's sad to have government have authority over the rights of parents." I couldn't agree more. What we should have is parents who exercise responsibility over their teens so government doesn't have to protect innocent citizens from their actions.
-- W.L. Head, Clearwater

Clearwater wasting money on unneeded services

The city of Clearwater is about to pick our pockets again and all anyone can say is "What can you do?" I say plenty.

I am a registered nurse and appreciate the need for rapid response time during an emergency. However, there is also a practical side to responding to an emergency. I would like to have a doctor caring for me in my home 24 hours a day, but it is not affordable or reasonable.

I observe the EMT vehicle currently parked behind the Coast Guard station on Sand Key. It appears to be underutilized. Now add a firetruck and crew to the same location, and I would like to know how often these vehicles will be needed for an emergency. Why is it necessary for a city vehicle and a Sunstar ambulance to respond to an accident? Other areas in the county seem to be just fine in the hands of Sunstar.

I know a paramedic who works for the city. He takes pride in telling people how much money he is paid and how little he actually has to do. It irritates me.

I am paying almost 50 percent of my income to the government at one level or another. In my opinion, I am not getting my money's worth. The city is constantly crying poverty. There is more than one way to stay within your financial limits. While government's solution is to raise taxes (or fees if you'd prefer), the private sector has another solution -- cut spending.

I think residents should break out the camcorders and cameras and call the city manager's office when they see non-productive employees. It's your money folks; they work for you.
-- Robert R. Stegmann, Clearwater

Pay whatever it costs; we need fire and rescue service

Re: Clearwater fire chief revises budget again, story, May 3.

I am a Clearwater native, resident and firefighter/paramedic for Lealman Fire Rescue. My home and family are covered by Clearwater Fire & Rescue Station 47.

In the referenced story, Commissioner J.B. Johnson said: "I 2-to-1 would rather be known as the commissioner who saved lives than to have my name on a bronze plate on a rec center. If there are ways and means to reduce a budget and cut out non-essentials, I think we should do it."

That sums up the issue beautifully. The city and its residents must decide what are the priorities for our community. We just spent a hefty sum on our roundabout and what do we have to show for it? We want to increase our draw to the tourists. We want them downtown, on the beach, in our hotels and in our shops. I'm all for anything that will make our city more viable, but with that comes increased responsibility. You must protect those same people with more than just adequate fire and EMS coverage.

And that costs money. How do we fund it? Either by an increase in property taxes or the proposed fire fee.

Either way we are going to have to pay. I'll pay whatever it costs to ensure that my fire and rescue department has the staff it needs, the training it needs and the equipment it needs to protect my family and my property.
-- Glenn E. Davis, Clearwater

Towed car made visit to beach a horrible experience

I have just gone through a horrifying experience on Clearwater Beach concerning treatment of local residents and parking.

I tried to park in the Clearwater Beach Hotel parking lot and it appeared to be full, so I parked in a vacant lot just north for one hour. I enjoyed breakfast and returned to find that my car had been towed away.

The lot I parked in was at a closed business, now obviously a source of income for a local towing service.

I called the Clearwater police, but they had nothing to do with it and get none of the revenue from the outrageous towing fee, which amounted to $140.

For another $60 the greedy towing service offered to bring the car to the hotel, but a friend who worked there drove me to get the car and to an ATM to get cash, the only type of payment they would accept.

I was told by a police officer that there was obviously an informant near this lot who acts fast and shows preference to tourists. We don't want to lose our tourist business, do we? I could hardly contain myself and had to write this letter because I have been a law-abiding, self-employed citizen of Pinellas County for many, many years.

It will take a lot for me to feel secure in parking anywhere on the beach after this horrendous experience.
-- A. Hamilton, Clearwater

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