Letters to the Editors

Residents have right to be wary

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

I was left with several disturbing questions after attending the sales pitch by developer George de Guardiola the other night.

First, I am not opposed to developing downtown Clearwater. There are many unanswered questions and it is being brought to a vote when many residents are vacationing and these specific questions are not being answered.

The developer stated he could not understand the adversarial attitude in our city. Several specifics come to mind:

After being sold on a $15-million complex that the city needed desperately, the taxpayers are informed that Harborview Center is not making money. There either was not a need for the facility and/or the city should have planned on subsidizing it as it does the Long Center and Ruth Eckerd Hall. Now we're going to tear it down for a movie theater complex -- the most expensive waterfront property in the city. Wouldn't a theater complex attract just as many people east of Osceola Avenue?

After paying a $500,000 consulting fee for our roundabout fiasco, the taxpayers have lost a good deal of faith in our "experts."

While our elected officials tell us about our serious water problems, we have the transfer of development rights considering higher density with new condos on Sand Key as well as Clearwater Beach. I assume these residents will consume water, as will the residents of the 1,200 additional apartments/condos proposed for downtown.

The city seems to be equivocating on city codes concerning the number of parking spaces required for the Scientologists' new building; that will cause Scientologists to use the parking designed to benefit merchants and new residents in the downtown area. And we wonder why the citizens have some misgivings about this grandiose plan?

The developer has the right to book engagements in the amphitheater 60 days out of the year, more if the city does not keep the amphitheater booked. The locals will have no control over who is to appear. Our "family-oriented" community could be faced with the likes of the Howie Mandels of entertainment.

As an attorney stated, a 99-year lease is as close to giving away land as current law provides. Do we really want to give away the jewel in our crown? I don't think so!
-- Dorie Sampson, Clearwater

Bayfront's future rests with voters

Clearwater voters who go to the polls on July 11 will make the city's most important choice in a generation. Voters will either unleash an urban renaissance or succumb to another decade of decay. Clearwater can exceed the stunning waterfront cleanup successes of Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago, or capitulate to the angry gang of Save the Bayfront.

Save the Bayfront already has a lawless track record. Snubbing legal protocol, it duped thousands of Clearwater citizens into signing falsely worded anti-bridge petitions. Thankfully, integrity prevailed, as City Attorney Pam Akin quashed the illegitimate folly. This mob now threatens a similar fear-and-smear campaign to harm Clearwater's downtown restoration.

On July 11 it will be up to the Clearwater individual to stand up to Save the Bayfront. Citizens have until June 12 to register to vote in the referendum. Voter registration forms may be obtained from the Supervisor of Elections, 315 Court St., Room 117, Clearwater.

For details of the redevelopment plan, visit the city Web site at http://www.clearwater-fl.com.
-- William Blackwood, Clearwater

Making difference also improves yourself

Re: "As times change, civic clubs dwindle," June 4.

Dwindle? The Clearwater Junior Woman's Club is alive and healthy, helping people every day. Libraries, sick kids, single moms, AIDS patients, pets, breast cancer, police, schools, the environment. There are many people and organizations that we and other clubs support. That makes things better for the entire community.

As for the "high cost" of clubs, the dues are only $45 a year and more than make up for themselves. As for time, we are required to spend only 20 hours per YEAR helping.

While you said that volunteering takes away from the family, I am certainly glad to take a few hours a month or week away from my family so that my children know I am willing and able to help other people.

I believe people are longing for something else -- to feel connected and helpful and like they are doing something more in life than taking the kids to school, playing golf and going to work 9 to 5. They want to do more than give a little money to their church or synagogue and drop off a toy at the holidays. I think many people out there want to help out, they are just not sure where to go, or what kind of people are out there.

I thought volunteering was only for rich people, so I did not join a group until last year. I found there were all types of generous, kind, non-judgmental, wonderful women waiting for me at the Clearwater Junior Woman's Club.

Stating that people are too busy today is the lazy way out for you and your readers. There is too much to be done out there. Let's really get busy!
-- Marsha Strickhouser, Clearwater

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