Letters to the Editors

Scallop project deserved to have better reporting

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 5, 2000

Re: With budget in hand, time to talk turkeys.

Your article of May 27 concerning state funding for scallop research by the University of South Florida was most disappointing. I'm sure the St. Petersburg Times would agree that before they are published, news articles should be objective and well-researched. That article was neither. It is striking that not one person involved with USF's scallop research program was asked for information. Instead, the reporter relied on partial truths and on total misinformation.

The platform referred to in the article was constructed from funds provided by economic development agencies in Citrus County and serves three purposes (not one of which was mentioned by the Times). First, it was built by welding students at the Withlacoochee Technical Institute who had the unique opportunity to learn by welding aluminum. Second, the platform has served as a staging area for training fishermen in commercial scallop aquaculture. Third, the platform is owned by the Citrus County Schools for a floating classroom, a one of its kind in the United States. Many people in Citrus County participated in bringing this project about.

Funding for the actual scallop research began with a two-year grant from the Florida Sea Grant Program. That grant helped establish the first scallop hatchery in Florida. The scallops raised in the hatchery were used mainly in scallop restoration programs in Tampa Bay, Tarpon Springs and Homosassa/Crystal River.

A small number of the scallops were used for exploring the development of commercial scallop aquaculture and the marketability of a whole scallop product. The results showed that growing scallops to market size was feasible and that public acceptance of the product in restaurants was overwhelming. Over 90 percent of the people who tried whole scallops said they would like to see them available and some even preferred them to oysters and clams. Again, no mention of this study was made in the Times article and, in fact, it was stated that the product was not acceptable.

For the past three years, the USF scallop hatchery has produced scallops through a federal grant to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (now Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission) to examine restoration efforts in Tampa Bay, Tarpon Springs and Homosassa/Crystal River. Results have been encouraging, and reports are that small populations of native bay scallops have reappeared in areas where some of our scallops have been placed to spawn. That project is nearing completion, and USF was seeking state funds to carry on both restoration work and development of commercial scallop aquaculture.

Both Sen. Jack Latvala of Pinellas County and Rep. Nancy Argenziano of Citrus County embraced the project and introduced legislation to fund the hatchery for at least another year. The project received further support from the chairman of the House Natural Resources and Aquaculture Committee, Rep. Charles Sembler of Sebastian. Members of state agencies, such as the Florida Marine Research Institute and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services who have participated in the scallop project from the beginning, were also consulted and agreed with the value of the continuation of the project to the region.

Without funding, the scallop hatchery at USF will be forced to close. All ecological and economic benefits that have accrued will be lost. Again, the questions will be asked as to why scallops are disappearing from the west coast of Florida.

The unprofessional journalism of the Times reporter will probably result in an ecological injustice, and the people of Florida's west coast will be deprived of the potential of restoring an economically and ecologically valuable and renewable resource.
Norman J. Blake, professor of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg

A defeat for all Floridians

Re: State allows cement plant, June 2.

As a transplant from Adirondack Park in New York state, I have personally seen the effects of acid rain in that region. You describe the state's approval of this cement plant that plans to burn used tires and coal as fuel sources as a "defeat for Florida environmentalists."

Trust me, this is a defeat for all Floridians, in particular parents of young children who will be breathing that air and older folks with respiratory problems. I think I would find myself unwilling to visit that part of the state if this plant opens. How could something of this scope be approved in an area as pristine as the Ichetucknee State Park? How could legislators eliminate emission testing for several of Florida's heavily polluted counties?

The answer is the same as it is in Texas which has the city with the worst air quality in the country. I don't consider myself a "tree hugging environmentalist," but I do care.

I think the answer is the same in both states: too many Bushes and not enough trees! But then again maybe the Bush boys are trying to help us save on Medicare costs.
-- Michael Golden, St. Petersburg

Don't let this treasure be lost

Re: Clear river, cloudy future, June 2.

Jamie Francis' photo of Charlie Belk drifting on the paradisiacal Ichetucknee River is worth far more than 1,000 words! One look and we know that it's high time Floridians demanded a stay of execution for this condemned treasure. What were DEP Secretary David Struhs and Gov. Jeb Bush thinking when they secretly negotiated a deal for the Suwannee American Cement Co. (parented by big-time polluter Anderson Columbia Co.) to locate a new cement plant so close to the river's source in Ichetucknee Springs State Park that it can't help but dirty it?

Did they think nobody would notice? Did they think that the tens of thousands of folks who yearly tube, canoe and swim in the pristine river would enjoy the scent of burning coal and old tires? Did they think that the mercury, carbon monoxide and other pollutants generated by the plant would generally improve the health and tourist draw of the region?

Ichetucknee Family Campground owner Vernis Wray got it right: There's no shortage of cement. But we do have a shortage of state leaders taking responsibility for our irreplaceable Florida natural heritage. This photo tells the story: a stay of execution is called for! Are you up to the job, Gov. Bush?
-- Nancy Corson Carter, St. Petersburg

A teen achiever

Please give us more articles like the one about National Spelling Bee finalist Brianna Satinoff.

Continue to report the exploits of the majority of our young people who do not deserve to be categorized as a group out of control.
-- Edward N. Sorlie, Safety Harbor

A telling attitude

Commenting on candidate George W. Bush's plan to allow workers to invest a portion of their Social Security payments in the stock market, talking head James Carville said, "It's the most selfish plan I've ever seen." (Meet the Press, May 28.)

That makes it crystal clear where Carville and his Democratic colleagues stand. They think it is "selfish" to allow Americans to invest money they have earned. Carville wants all the money to go to Washington.

This is what they think of us.
-- John J. Thornton, Tampa

They should accept the risk, too

Re: Supplementing Social Security less risky than no reform at all, May 27.

Martin Feldstein's column advocates supplementing Social Security by depositing 2 percent in personal retirement accounts. I have no problem with that.

I object to his statement that "relatively small risks for future retirees could be eliminated by a government guarantee that anyone who invests in the standard stock-bond portfolio would be compensated if his annuity falls below the benefits projected in current law."

Well, as President Reagan might have said, "Here we go again." The baby boomer wants the benefit but not the risk. He wants to have his cake and eat it, too.

I am constantly reminded that we parents have to learn to say "No." So, to all those yuppies out there, my answer is "No." I'm one old-timer who will fight this guarantee tooth and nail.
-- Mrs. Earl Ditmars, Palm Harbor

Mission serves many needs

Re: Homeless missions' finances examined, by Adam Smith, May 4.

In the short time that St. Petersburg City Mission has been serving the St. Petersburg area, many needs of hurting people have been met. Substantial resources were invested in an attempt to establish a shelter and restaurant/food center. Circumstances beyond City Mission's control prohibited the establishing of those facilities.

In spite of those limitations, the St. Petersburg City Mission has continued to effectively serve the poor and needy of St. Petersburg. Community meals have been served, food boxes have been distributed, along with clothing, and emergency shelter has been provided. Chapel services have been provided and encouragement offered to all those who come to us for help.

Along with the Tampa City Mission, we have provided opportunity for recovery with a one-year rehabilitation program. The City Mission's "Fresh Start" rehabilitation program offers men who are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs a "fresh start" in life.

St. Petersburg City Mission is a Christian organization whose first goal is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone it can. Often that begins with a hot meal, a kind word and a listening ear. We sincerely appreciate the many volunteers and donors who have worked with us as we continue to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and bring healing to our city, one life at a time.
-- Wes Harris, St. Petersburg City Mission, St. Petersburg

What's up with that stamp?

Boy! Now I've seen everything! I refer to your Metro section May 30 showing a new U.S. 33-cent postage stamp honoring Jerry Seinfeld's TV apartment.

I've never watched Seinfeld so I have no idea what his apartment looks like. I'm not going to pay 33 cents either to see it.

I thought stamp subjects were reserved for special occasions and/or special people. I certainly see nothing special about Seinfeld or his apartment.
-- Dorothy E. Karkheck, Palm Harbor

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