Letters to the Editors

Ending testing of emissions is an idiotic move

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 17, 2000

Re: Bush ends emissions tests, June 15.

Let me see if I understand all of this. Gov. Jeb Bush has decided that Pinellas and 5 other Florida counties do not need emissions testing. As a result, more than 60,000 tons of pollutants will be released into the Tampa Bay area air, 450 people will be unemployed, the testing equipment will be sold to the 30 states that do require emission testing, the testing sites will be sold, at least 6 percent of the cars driven will pollute the air, the industrial pollutants will not be fully corrected for 10 years and people with respiratory ailments will suffer.

Just who decided that the people who drive cars in the six Florida counties cannot afford to pay $10 a year for cleaner air? I have to agree with Mette Nelson, who said the governor bowed to politics and is an "idiot" for not considering the health of the Florida residents and our environment.
-- C.G. Crafton Jr., Clearwater

Is this what the people want?

I was astounded to read that Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill ending the emissions testing program in Florida. He claims the $10 tests are "an unnecessary burden to motorists."

Certainly one's health is worth more than $10. This program was credited with removing more than 60,000 tons of pollutants from the Tampa Bay area's air last year. If secondhand cigarette smoke is considered dangerous, are not air-borne pollutants far more dangerous?

A question that comes to mind is -- did the governor bother to survey his constituents for their opinion on this issue? That should be a matter of course on all issues directly affecting us.
-- Diane Galemmo, New Port Richey

A real money-saving idea

Re: Bush ends emissions tests.

I am a lifelong resident of Philadelphia who is currently visiting my family in Tampa. I love the Tampa area. I've considered moving here for years but haven't, mainly because of financial reasons.

On Thursday, I decided that Tampa is the place for me. The reason is simple. Gov. Jeb Bush has signed a bill that ends auto emissions testing in the state of Florida. What a great idea! I own a 1992 Eagle Talon Turbo that I love to drive. Unfortunately, it needs new valve seals. This problem causes the car to burn oil and smoke excessively, like a dragster on the racetrack. Each time I take off, I leave the driver behind me in a big cloud of smoke. It's like James Bond's car in the movie Goldfinger, which was equipped with a smoke-screen device among other accessories. I think it's kind of cool.

Instead of using several hundred dollars of my hard-earned money to repair the car, I can use the money for moving expenses instead. Think of all the money I'll save by not having to pay for costly car repair, state inspection and emission inspection. I'll be independently wealthy in a few years.

Who cares about the ecosystem? The environment? Automobile safety? Respiratory health
-- problems? I'd rather save money instead. Thank you Republican Gov. Jeb Bush!
Karen Hartsfield, Philadelphia

Lawmakers only serve themselves

Florida politicians are bad for our health.

After trying to keep track of all the benefits our legislators arranged for themselves at our expense and all the deals that they made to the detriment of our environment, our schools and our finances, I am wondering if there is any way that we can eliminate the Legislature. In no way would we be worse off.

From the passing of legislation for Bo Johnson's bridge (which we have to pay for), to Sen. John Grant's new job as a public guardian, to the cynical moves on the part of Gov. Jeb Bush in trying to interfere with the Florida Supreme Court, to the rape of our environment with the Ichetucknee River deal and similar deals, as well as the legislators' rejection of any plan to clean up their ethics, our legislators have shown that they are in Tallahassee only to reward themselves.

This session has been a disgrace, but we seem powerless. The people have given up, and those who do continue to vote are not strong enough to remove those in power.
-- Linda de Bottari, Palm Harbor

Naimoli has a losing attitude

Re: Rays told to dodge gala for charity, June 13.

Vince Naimoli wants everyone to spend money supporting the Devil Rays but instructs his organization not to support the Bayfront-St. Anthony's Health Care Foundation fundraiser "in any way" because the foundation "shunned" him by choosing to have the fundraiser at the Coliseum rather than Tropicana Field.

This choice was made for fiscally intelligent reasons, but since Vince & Co. seem to believe that losing 8-6 should draw more attendance than losing 6-4, is it any wonder that he can't comprehend this?

Perhaps rather than blaming the corporate community, the fans, the Yankees on radio (at least the guy can make you laugh), etc., Naimoli needs to look in a mirror. It's obvious that the losing on the field is just following the lead right from the top.
-- Dan Favero, St. Petersburg

Trop was inappropriate for fundraiser

Re: Rays told to dodge gala for charity.

Upon reading this article, my first reaction toward Vince Naimoli was, "There he goes again!" Naimoli needs to take an in-depth course in ethics and hire an excellent public relations person to clean up after his many public faux pas.

Having attended the Bayfront-St. Anthony's fundraiser gala last year at the Coliseum, I can honestly say that this event does not lend itself to being held at Tropicana Field. Men are in tuxedos and women are in lovely gowns, dining and dancing and bidding on lovely merchandise to support this worthwhile cause. The organizers did a fantastic job of decorating the Coliseum. It looked magical! This wonderful gala belongs at a venue such as the Coliseum, exquisitely catered by Michael's on East, from Sarasota. It does not belong at the Trop, being catered by the likes of Volume Services.

Kudos to Bayfront-St. Anthony's president Sue Brody and the event chairwomen for doing the right thing. Kudos to Dillard's for canceling the orders back in 1998 of Devil Rays merchandise. Perhaps if more of our civic leaders stood up to this man, he would get his act together. One can only wish.
-- Kimberly S. Viverette, St. Petersburg

Forget about going to ballgames

Re: Rays told to dodge gala for charity, June 13.

What Vince Naimoli does not understand is that the Bayfront-St. Anthony's Health Care Foundation fundraiser is not about Tropicana Field or the Devil Rays. It is about raising money to assist the poor with health care. This is proof positive why I will never attend another Devil Rays' game.
-- Gordon W. Johnson, Clearwater

Where the money goes

A June 13 article states in part, "Vince Naimoli has ordered the Devil Rays to shun a fundraiser for the medically needy . . ."

The article continues, ". . . the non-profit St. Petersburg hospitals are sponsors at the Trop, provide medical services there and pay for a corporate suite."

At least we know why money is short for the "medically needy."
-- Larry Brooks, Odessa

Mascot study? Get a grip

Re: School mascots draw scrutiny, June 14.

As I read this article, it was obvious to me that either there are no serious problems in our schools or these School Board members have too much time on their hands. It's hard for me to believe that political correctness has arrived in Pinellas County.

Board member Linda Lerner started a discussion about mascot stereotyping, a subject she has wanted to raise "for 10 years."

Please, people, get a grip! I suppose we could change all of the mascots to, say, flowers. How does the name Seminole Tulips sound instead of Warhawks? And Osceola Daisies instead of Warriors. And instead of the chant, "da dunt, da dunt, da dunt da dunt, CHARGE" it could be "da dunt da dunt da dunt da dunt, GROW."

No, I don't think so. I graduated from a school in Pennsylvania that had an Indian as its mascot and still does. It was because of our admiration and respect for the American Indian. They were and are a strong, proud people, and they deserve the recognition. I'm sure some may take offense, but no matter what you call the mascot, you're going to offend someone!

No, it is not necessary to evaluate our schools' mascots. It's time to say, "enough is enough" and move on to more pressing issues.

And we wonder why parents want to put their children in private schools!
-- Robert E. Guthrie, Seminole

Re: School mascots draw scrutiny.

After I thought the whole "politically correct" thing had already reached its peak, here comes the Pinellas County School Board. Is this a joke, or are the board members really going to consider changing mascot names for being potentially offensive?

I have a better idea. Why don't we just eliminate mascots altogether? That way, nobody will be offended. After all, we may have some people around whose ancestors were "Gladiators," or others whose religion opposes the "Devils." While we're at it, we should probably eliminate school colors, too. Maybe we should just get rid of the names of the schools, too. Seminole High School is named after what else -- Indians. It looks like we may even have to change the name of the city!

The Pinellas School Board needs to lighten up. I like my alma mater just the way it is, offensive or not.
-- Robert Vincent, Pinellas Park

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