Letters to the Editors

Traffic woes at Venable, U.S. 19 must be fixed

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 23, 2001

Editor: When is the state Department of Transportation going to finally realize there's a serious problem with the intersection of W Venable Street and U.S. 19? How many accidents and loss of lives will it take to finally have the lighting system changed at that particular intersection?

It needs a red arrow, plain and simple. When you're in the turn lane for Home Depot or Venable Street and there are three to four cars in each turn lane, you can't see the approaching traffic from the north and south. So what does everybody do to see if there's traffic approaching? That's right! Pull the nose of their vehicle into the oncoming traffic and "Bam!" That's why we need a red arrow; you can't have traffic darting out in front of 50 mph or faster traffic.

My sister almost T-boned another driver who cut in front of her last week at that very intersection. When she turned around and confronted the man, his reply was "I had a green light." I've never seen her so upset in my whole life, and she had just cause. Think about it; everybody made a big deal about the intersection north of the mall and something was done about it. They put a full stop light on Rock Crusher Road. This intersection has 10 times the accidents and loss of life and nothing's happening.

Maybe the county commissioners will get involved and straighten out this terrible nightmare.
-- Steven Finley, Crystal River

Businesses must do their part to adhere to water restrictions

Editor: Re: County must enforce water restrictions, July 8 Citrus Times editorial:

I totally agree. But, I also believe that businesses such as golf courses, country clubs, etc. should do their part. I know they make their money on the beautiful, lush courses at the expense of everyone else. Most of the people who play these courses are residents and should understand the problem. If all are forced to comply with an equal cutback, they will all contribute to solving the problem.

Another issue I feel needs to be addressed are communities where the homeowners associations fine the residents for letting their lawns go. The county puts restrictions on water and some people are penalized by the homeowners groups. How can these homeowners groups overrule the county and state laws?
-- Philip D. Chandler, Hernando

In Wysong debate, I dare couple to find a fact to support attack

Editor: Re: Wysong outcome is a triumph of politics, Aug. 16 letter to the editor from Lynn and Tim DeLong:

I would not bother to answer this latest version of the same old, unsubstantiated blather if not for aspersions cast at two fine public servants in our community.

Al Coogler and Sam Lyons, volunteer members of the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board and Withlacoochee Basin Board, respectively, certainly do not deserve the unfounded allegations of political cronyisms that the DeLongs infer. Or allegations that a respected civic association, TOO FAR Inc., numbering thousands of waterfront property owners just like the DeLongs, would be part or parcel to such nefarious business. It is very sad that some people feel the only way they can get their way is to attack others.

Mr. Coogler and Mr. Lyons, in fact, deserve heartfelt thanks from every resident in our area for their dedication toward determining what is really in the best interests of said area. From personal experience I know they both, absolutely, have spent unceasingly of their time and their own assets above and beyond normal expectations. All this to arrive at conclusions founded in historical data based upon many, many factors in a highly complex responsibility to restore and preserve our water resources locally. Only after doing so have these gentlemen, as part of their sworn duties, made decisions they know to be correct.

I feel sorry for the DeLongs; I really do. As a TOO FAR member, I'll again state a question of veracity. If either DeLong can bring one solid fact, just one, from all of their ifs and maybes from any verifiable source to my attention, and I find it to be truth, I'll take out a full-page ad in the Citrus Times, by way of apology for this letter and explaining all facets involved.
-- L.C. Alexander, Inverness

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