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© St. Petersburg Times, published July 27, 2001
Re: Largo should not flutter in stance on banner ban, editorial, July 17.
When Walker Ford was annexed into the city of Largo, we were not aware of the Largo sign code preventing us from keeping our banners along our property front, which complied with the county's sign ordinance at the time. The banners had been there and kept up for years, so it was a shock that we had to take them down for Largo annexation.
If whoever wrote this editorial would open his or her eyes, he or she would have noticed that the "fluttering, flapping banners and pennants" weren't that at all, but well-maintained and not an eyesore. The reference by the so-called writer also stated that our businesses looked like circus tents.
I do not know how long you have worked or lived in Pinellas County, but I was born here, and if Walker Ford looks like a circus tent, then you had better look again. The facility cost over $6-million to build and it looks as good as it did when we opened in 1988 at our present location.
As always, the St. Petersburg Times bites the hand that feeds it. You want our advertising dollars but never write any positive articles about us because it does not sell papers. I really had no problems moving the banners (six of them) back off our property line. What bothered me were two things: First, we had them there when we were in the county with no problems from anyone in the county.
Second, two other dealerships in Largo -- Autoway Honda and Autoway Chevrolet -- are using the same banners that I was not allowed to use. If these two dealerships are allowed to use banners, then why not me? I want to stress that these dealerships' banners are not distasteful and are not an eyesore or circus tents. These two dealerships are as well-maintained and kept as ours. Maybe you need to get out of the office and see if these two dealerships look like circus tents, also.
If Largo has a problem with businesses not maintaining their banners, then let Largo handle each instance as it warrants, but do not penalize businesses that do maintain their banners on an ongoing basis. They are not and will not make us look like circus tents.
-- Frank A. Walker, vice president, Walker Ford Co., Clearwater
Bill Horne wants a salary of $130,000 now that he is hired as Clearwater city manager. He knew the salary when he applied for the job. Former City Manager Mike Roberto required a big pay raise when he became city manager. Look what he did for the city! The roundabout fiasco is a good example of his work.
The city now pays Mr. Horne's pension and he wants that increased to $19,500 a year. He gets hospitalization and insurance plans. That's got to be worth at least $5,000 a year. He gets a car allowance now and wants that increased to $600 a month which is equal to $7,200 a year. Why would anyone need that $600 a month for a car allowance? He drives how many miles a year?
This is unbelievable. If he does not want the job, hire one of the other candidates that applied. He gets many benefits that are not known and he wants more. Let him do the job, and properly, for a grace period of a year before giving him an increase in anything including salary, car allowance, pension, etc.
I will vote against any mayor or city commissioner who votes for this and encourage others to do as well. At the rate they're going, the city will be in trouble before too long. Oh well, I guess they can always raise my taxes.
-- J. Moore, Clearwater
Re: Horne wants $130,000 salary, story, July 20.
Let me see if I get this correct. A group of people I will work for hire me to fill a position. After all the other applicants are told they will not get the position, I tell my new employer the salary and perks I want. Did this person tell his last employer his request also? If there are any more openings that get the same opportunity, please call.
-- Eugene Bertsche, Clearwater
Re: Despite protest, apartments approved, story, July 18.
Isn't it typical that instead of being concerned with our present-day water crisis, the Clearwater Community Development Board approves the building of 156 more units.
Do they not realize that someone has to step up and say, "Enough, no more building"? We cannot conserve water if building is not controlled. More apartments are not needed.
-- Marta A. Blackert, Clearwater
Re: Despite protest, apartments approved, story, July 18.
It's nice to know that the water shortage is over as evidenced by the Clearwater Community Development Board's approval of a 156-unit apartment complex on Missouri Avenue. I assume that much more high-density housing will be approved now that plenty of water exists for everyone. I wonder what will happen to the water police?
-- Bob Coffey, Clearwater