Letters to the Editors

Clearwater proposal is too much, too fast

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 22, 2000

Re: Downtown redevelopment plan.

As a longtime Clearwater resident, I will vote "no" on the downtown redevelopment plan because:

Common sense dictates that we don't relinquish some of the most beautiful property in Florida to a non-Clearwater, for-profit corporation for 99 years at $1 a year.

Parts of the plan sound great and wonderful, but so did the plans for the roundabout. (Remember the "interactive fountain" that the kids were supposed to be able to play in?)

Why movie theaters on Clearwater's beautiful bluff? Why would one go to such an awesome setting and then go inside a building and sit in the dark?

The library seems to be getting less and less significant. Cities should use their most beautiful areas for something that really means something to their residents -- not some pie-in-the-sky, smoke-and-mirrors scheme.

Scientologists swarming the streets deter many from wanting to go downtown.

We can have a vibrant, bustling downtown, but a rush job isn't the way to get there. If this plan passes, we'll regret it almost immediately.
-- Joe Deaver, Clearwater

Clearwater downtown really needs a shot in arm

Recently I went walking in downtown Clearwater. My family and I moved here in 1979; since then there have been many proposals for improving downtown. The results to date have not been impressive.

At present, we are wasting a magnificent view and prime property. Often, Coachman Park is enjoyed by only a few. Careful planning for the new main library has gone on for years.

We need and have imaginative, expert, outside help to make downtown more viable, attractive and just plain fun.

I want our downtown to be as superior as our beach. How about you? On July 11, please vote yes.
-- Mary Moore Boulay, Clearwater

Police chief is shining example of law officer

It is with sadness that I read of the coming departure of our fine police Chief Jerry Bloechle.

He has personally helped me regarding a stalker-harasser who had been after me for 12 years. Chief Bloechle finally put a stop to it by assigning a special police unit in my neighborhood for a specified period of time, sent police officers to the stalker's home and personally phoned to let me know what he was doing to help me eliminate the problem.

He also was instrumental in getting the curfew, which kept the teenage gangs in my neighborhood off the streets at night.

He is the best we have had in Largo.
-- Peggy Gifford, Largo

Clearwater plan is not very well thought out

I continue to be pleased with my position on the Clearwater city referendum. My "Save the Bayfront" sign is still prominently displayed in my front yard. I'm not opposed to progress, but the conditions in this case warrant a "no" vote. (I've already voted by absentee ballot.)

My concerns:

Water -- 1,200 housing units are projected. Are we headed for a one-day-a-month schedule to water the lawns and a one-flush-a-day limit in our residences?

Leasing of public property -- why don't we say we are giving away property that belongs to all of us? According to an April 28 St. Petersburg Times article (Big plans unveiled for Clearwater), city officials say they have no idea of total costs for these projects. Our mayor claims that costs "are not going to come out of the pockets of the average, everyday taxpayer." Does His Honor think we just jumped off the turnip truck?

Major beneficiaries -- the Scientology folks who hurry to classes and meals would seem to be the real winners with the projected shops and theaters at their disposal. A question here is: How much are they contributing to this expensive project?

I would encourage a "no" vote as we understand the plans. I'm for progress, but not at any cost.
-- Robert Hassall, Clearwater

Alligator's actions didn't warrant its destruction

Re: As kids watch, gator takes dog, June 14.

As far as I can tell from the story, the alligator was doing what all predators do: seizing an opportunity for a meal. It made no distinction between a cute Dalmatian puppy and a possum, a raccoon or a duck.

It is a sad story, to be sure, but the responsibility has to belong to the family, the neighbors and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the agency that oversees urban wildlife.

Why were there no signs posted warning of alligators in the lake? Why didn't the neighbors warn the new family of the potential danger to pets and children?

If all the precautions had been followed, the accident would not have happened.

Finally, I found the comments of Gary Morse, the Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman, troubling and ironic. To quote Morse: "That's part of the charm of living in Florida, having all the wonderful wildlife. Alligators are an integral part of the ecosystem and we need to learn to live with them."

Is Gary Morse's idea of living with alligators to kill them when they don't behave the way we want them to?
-- Denis Gaston, Dunedin

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