Letters to the Editors

Graduation's bliss marred by obnoxious behavior

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 28, 2000

On June 7, the Clearwater High School stadium was packed to the gills with proud families and friends of this year's graduates.

I could hardly wait for my own child's name, Jessica McGuire, to be announced as she crossed the stage for her moment of glory. After all, this was to be an auspicious ceremony for young people who have worked hard and deserve respect at this, the pinnacle of their education.

Why, then, are people allowed to take obnoxious air horns into the stadium for such an occasion? A graduation is an honorary ceremony that should observe all of the distinction that it implies. Do you suppose the people toting noisemakers thought that they had come to an outdoor sporting event? Or, perhaps they selfishly thought their graduate was the only one who deserved to be recognized?

The woman sitting behind my party took a blast directly in her ear, causing her some apparent pain as well as anxiety. However, even worse, some guests missed their graduates' names entirely because of people blowing air horns and shouting like lunatics for a full 60 seconds after their graduates' names were announced.

Common sense tells me that such behavior is rude and unacceptable. It also tells me that I could not possibly be the only one from that stadium bothered by the situation. I was fortunate; my daughter's name came through clearly. But what about next year? What about you who have seniors graduating in 2001?
-- Janice McGuire, Clearwater

Sheriff's offer makes sense

Re: Sheriff gets static after backup offer, June 11 story.

The recent offer (unsolicited) by Sheriff Everett Rice may have been offensive to City Manager Steven Stanton but in view of the recent history of police management in Largo, the offer is truly a blessing in disguise for the taxpayers of Largo.

It is truly beyond common sense that the City Commission would reject such an offer without even considering the many benefits to the city and its populace. Just the mere savings of possibly $5-million a year should arouse considerable serious thought.

One should also consider that we as taxpayers already fund the operation of the Sheriff's Office. Why should we be the cash cows for two law enforcement departments? The sheriff already provides many services for Largo. The sheriff has said qualified officers would be absorbed by his department.

Being without one's "very own" police department does not make a city any less attractive, any less important or any less recognized in a country that every day is seeing consolidations in most elements of life. The sheriff's offer offers a win-win opportunity to Largo officials and citizens.
-- Paul H. Hardwick, Largo

Roundabout plan reeks of failure

What? The Clearwater City Commission has voted to install an "intersection reconfiguration feature" in north Clearwater Beach? What a creative manipulation of the English language! That sure sounds better than "roundabout" or "traffic circle." However, after the smoke screen clears, it will still be the same thing. It brings to mind the old saying, "He who fails to learn from history is doomed to repeat it."
-- James W. Kiehl, Largo

Leaders don't have a good record

Clearwater voters, before you vote on the referendum July 11, look at a recent City Commission boondoggle.

In 1987 the city purchased the property that housed Public Health Services for $452,287. Ten years later the Community Redevelopment Agency sold the property to IMRglobal for $131,770 when IMRglobal promised to build a research and conference center together with corporate efficiency apartments. This was a loss of $320,517.

When this deal was concocted, the taxpayers were told that this project would help develop the downtown area. Sound familiar? IMRglobal by contract agreed this project would be completed by the year 2003. Last week IMRglobal came to the city commissioners and requested a major change to the agreement, to sell the property to a hotel developer for about $400,000.

With a little "tweaking" the commissioners voted to agree to the proposal.

Now my friends, this is what you call high finance and redevelopment. The city loses $320,517 and IMRglobal makes a profit of more than $268,230.

Are you going to vote yes on the referendum that involves several hundreds of millions of dollars? I don't think so.
-- Robert L. Smalley, Clearwater

Construction endangers Sand Key

As a resident and taxpayer on Clearwater's Sand Key I am very concerned about the continued plans to overbuild here. My concern is directly related to our lack of fire protection and lack of adequate evacuation options necessary during hurricane season.

Monies continue to be spent on redevelopment while the residents of Sand Key must wait for proper disaster protection. In the past five years 518 new units have been built without consideration of the requirements of life protection here.

Now there is a plan for a 13-story structure to replace the Cabana Club restaurant. Previously the unit owners of the Sand Key Club and the Crescent Beach Club fought with little or no support of our city manager or City Commission in relationship to proposed buildings that would virtually rob the people of natural light and privacy. Please help us now!

Since city officials won't give us a firehouse, they should at least not put more people in jeopardy. Instead, give us a moratorium on all condominium and hotel/motel construction until the new causeway bridge and Sand Key firehouse are constructed. The roundabout has only added to an already dangerous situation in hurricane season.

Sonja Haught, Clearwater
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