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Letters to the EditorsTV talk show host responds to complaints
© St. Petersburg Times, Editor: I suppose this should be filed under "No good deed goes unpunished." Concerning your recent article about Marie Wheeler, the Holiday woman who was unhappy with her appearance on The Sally Show, there are several misleading aspects to that story that need to be corrected. Ms. Wheeler, who had come to us to lose weight, complained that although the show enrolled her in the respected L.A. Weight Loss program and paid for her membership, she could not afford to purchase the recommended food or transportation to its site in Clearwater and had to drop out after a few weeks. She did not make us aware of her difficulties in either of these areas. If she had, we would have gladly taken care of those expenses. Instead she chose to complain to your newspaper. I find this very puzzling, especially after she admitted to your reporter that the diet program was already working for her and had allowed her to lose weight in just a few short weeks. She also was offended that I used the word "fat" to describe her. I have been privileged to work with the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, one of the nation's premier organizations on weight issues. They have specifically told me that the word fat should be used when describing such people. And in fact, on the show, I said to Ms. Wheeler "I'm going to use the word "fat,' " and she said okay. Ms. Wheeler also complained that I did not speak with her before we started taping. It may seem unusual, but that is standard talk show practice. Hosts do not want to lose any spontaneity with their guests and prefer to save all conversations for the camera. Finally, Ms. Wheeler seemed most disappointed that she did not get to meet Richard Simmons. Well, sometimes in TV production, schedules are conflicted. This was simply one of those cases. I'm sorry Ms. Wheeler felt she was treated unfairly, and we wish her all the best in her struggle. She seemed like a very nice lady and had a delightful son that she clearly loves very much. Thank you for the opportunity to set the record straight.
Everyone invited to help with Land O'Lakes planEditor: They crowded into the room. It was clear they had a mission in mind. They wanted to be heard and have their ideas acted upon. No, it wasn't a controversial rezoning or a request for paving a street. In fact, it wasn't even a County Commission meeting. The citizens of Land O'Lakes had come together to work on a plan to establish an identity for their community. It was the third visioning meeting for citizens working on The Heart of Land O'Lakes Community Plan. It is ironic that a controversial rezoning on a commercial site near a lake was the catalyst for this positive endeavor. Citizens led by Lisa Cahill and Bradley Arthur worked diligently with developers, county staff and others to achieve an equitable settlement on this issue. However, when the issue was over they did not rest on their laurels or pack up their activist hats and move on. They decided there were compelling reasons to continue looking at the Land O'Lakes community and working to make it a better place to live now and in the future. This group has accomplished much in a short time. Joann Hurley, who graciously agreed to chair this project, met with citizens, County Administrator John Gallagher and me and worked out a plan to begin the visioning process. After just three meetings, they were well on their way. However, once again they do not want to rest on their laurels. They want to move forward and to do this they will need help from homeowners, businesses and government. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council has done a great job with this initial effort. This is a worthwhile project that can be a win-win situation for all. Come to the next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Community Center in Land O'Lakes. It is so important that all get involved, but a major concern is for the businesses along U.S. 41 to buy into this and to realize that improving the face of Land O'Lakes can also positively impact them economically.
Water company's silence was a health hazardEditor: I live in Gulf Harbors Woodlands and was affected by the water main break and subsequent lack of water. The water service resumed Friday evening, July 20. On July 21, both the St. Petersburg Times and the Suncoast News reported on the problem. The Suncoast News reported that "residents should boil their drinking water the next couple of days as a precaution." Residents were scheduled to get written advisories. Not only did I not receive any advisory, I did not read the paper until Saturday afternoon, nearly 24 hours after the water supply resumed and I had not been boiling it. I called Lindrick, got the answering service and was informed that the person on call would know nothing about it and I should call the office on Monday. I told her we could all be too sick to call by Monday. She suggested I boil my water. I will do this, but it's a little late to begin if indeed there is a problem. I was very angry and frustrated. I had no idea who to contact since it was a weekend and I was quite concerned for the health of my family and neighbors. We not only withstood the inconvenience of having no water, but we were uninformed of the potential problem in drinking the water when it finally did appear. Lindrick and the St. Petersburg Times made no mention of this issue. One time in a paper that many people don't even read, especially when it has lain in the rain for several hours and is soaked, is not enough to warn people of the potential health hazard. It has been extremely difficult to deal with Lindrick, anyway, but no options are available. The company failed to deliver important health information.
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