Letters to the Editors

Why we will be out of water soon

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 8, 2001

I have lived here my entire life and am being told that we do not have enough water to meet demand. Yet our government allows new subdivisions such as Thurston Groves and Traditions to compound the problem. I am told to conserve and cut back while 80 to 90 new homes go up around me.

On top of that, on my way to church Sunday morning I counted eight homes watering between Park Boulevard and Walsingham on Oakhurst Road. We have had so much rain lately no one should be watering. Some will claim they have automatic timers, as though that is some kind of justification. Timers should be outlawed during July and August. Like the closed season for snook, lawn watering should not be allowed during July and August. Seldom during the summer do we go three or four days without rain.

Between the idiots in the local government and the absence of common sense among residents, we will be out of water soon. Oh, yeah. We had more than an inch of rain on Sunday.
-- Glenn Bradley, Seminole

Albert Whitted airport is irreplaceable

St. Petersburg's beautiful, open downtown waterfront is the city's best asset. Part of this great asset is Albert Whitted Municipal Airport. This airport is rich in history. It is near where Tony Jannus made the first scheduled airline flight. It was the home base of National Airlines. It was the home base of airships.

There are very few cities lucky enough to have city leaders of earlier times wise enough to build and keep a close-in airport. Three of its approaches are over water. It is a very safe airport. We are very lucky to have it. We should not consider for one minute losing any of this bayfront property.

The airport, which I understand is self-sufficient, is not being used to its full potential by the city. It does need a new terminal, where citizens and tourists could view landings and takeoffs and where sightseeing flights could be promoted. To give you an idea of how this is being ignored, just go to the observation deck on The Pier and watch how many people stand and watch the airplanes land and take off.

It is not surprising that someone sees this large, open land and wants to put in condominiums, townhouses, stores, etc. It happens about every 10 years. We do not need more condominiums or townhouses there. Build them farther away from our waterfront. We need to preserve this land and airport, this great gift from our forefathers, for our children and grandchildren.

This airport is used by businessmen who fly in for meetings. It is convenient for people flying in for Devil Rays games. It has an Experimental Aircraft Association chapter that meets and works there, a flying club and many other users. Let's not forget the yearly air show that is held there. The airport is used by many people, and it is open space on our waterfront. Let's not even think of losing it but think of how we can make better use of this irreplaceable asset.
-- John J. Phillips, St. Petersburg

Control freaks want cell phone laws

So Largo thinks it should be against the law to talk on cell phones while driving! Big deal. Americans have been talking on two-way radios and CBs, shaving, drinking coffee, eating chicken, lighting cigarettes, disciplining the kids, fighting bees, tuning the radio, etc., while driving for decades, without Largo and New York butting in. Sometimes these things are dangerous, as are many other everyday activities, but a law will not correct them.

Common sense just takes a break now and then. It's part of being human. Publicity might help, but not a law. This is just another case of small-minded control freaks thinking they know what is best for all of us. All it will do is create scofflaws and tie up the police with petty activities when they could be spending time at much more important things. Lawmakers, give us a break and take a break.
-- Jerry Doty, St. Petersburg

Smoking in cars is just as bad

I can understand why Largo wants to ban cell phone use while driving. They can be quite a distraction unless one has a hands-free device.

I think, though, that if we want to ban distractions, cigarette smoking while driving should be a high priority. Have you ever seen someone in a "nicotine fit" struggling to open a pack, searching for a light or getting one, then having the hot ashes fall into his lap? Have you ever seen parents with children in the car and the windows rolled up, puffing away? Didn't you want to ask them why they are poisoning their children? Have you walked along any street or road and seen the cigarette butts and wrappers piled alongside it? How many fires are started by lit cigarette butts thrown out a window? Did you know that carbon monoxide builds up in smoker's brains, causing them to become sluggish? Wouldn't it be great if no one smoked in their cars?
-- Gordon Parsons, St. Petersburg

Ohioans appreciate the Times

My wife and I visit the Clearwater-St. Petersburg area as often as possible. Most recently, last week. When we are in the area, we thoroughly enjoy reading the Times every day (and we had more time than usual to do that, thanks to Tropical Storm Barry).

We are consistently impressed by the high quality of your paper. It is well-written and contains a nice blend of local, national and international stories. Your paper stands in stark contrast to the insubstantial and incredibly right-wing papers being served up by the chains in many other markets, including here in the Cincinnati area.

Keep up the good work.
-- David J. Walsh, Oxford, Ohio

First Street circle: a boondoggle

In reference to the editorial 1st Street circle: a study in uselessness, I would like to add that the First Street circle is a complete waste of taxpayers' money.

Apparently it cost $47,000 to build what has become a traffic hazard. Almost every time I use the "circle," "roundabout" or what should be known as a "boondoggle," I find that most drivers on First Street completely ignore the "Yield" signs.

All that was needed to make that intersection safer was to make it a four-way stop. It was $47,000 versus the cost of four stop signs. The traffic engineer who dreamed this one up should think seriously about getting into another line of work.
-- Richard Preston, St. Petersburg

Indian Rocks parade must go on

As a former member and chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board in Indian Rocks Beach, I commend the City Commission on the decision to keep the parade's date. As a board member, I was involved with many city functions like the Halloween party, Beauty and the Beach and the parade.

Two years in a row I personally contacted the Bucs to send a player, cheerleader or mascot for the Beauty and the Beach celebration, and two years in a row I received no reply. The parade must go on, and we as a city owe the Bucs nothing!
-- Joel Mattie, Indian Rocks Beach

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