Northpinellas: Let citizens decide utility question

Before all the facts were in on the possibility of electrical distribution by a utility created and operated by Dunedin, and without interviewing any representatives of more than 30 cities in Florida that already operate their own electrical utilities, the Greater Dunedin Chamber of Commerce board has pronounced this a bad idea. It has told the City Commission to give up its study and advised that to continue would be a waste of time and money.

The opinion of an independent consultant hired by the city (concluding there could be savings to the city of as much as $3.5-million per year) was disregarded and proclaimed to be of no substance.

Preference was given to the opinion of a chamber committee of four (two lawyers, one former commissioner and a representative of chamber member Florida Power) that the city could not afford to undertake this venture; the cost would be too high and so would the price to the consumer.

In the meantime, Florida Power has been sold to Carolina Power & Light, and we have witnessed executives receiving salaries and benefits (stock options and golden parachutes) that almost match those of the Toronto Blue Jays.

It seems obvious that if Florida Power refuses to agree with the city on what its legal financial obligations are on a buyout, as provided for in our current franchise agreement, an arbitration or court proceeding to determine this is made absolutely necessary and should proceed immediately. I recommended this more than one year ago.

Without these numbers, the clairvoyant position of the chamber is mere speculation and designed to aid Florida Power, an important member of their group.

With friends like the chamber, the taxpayer doesn't need enemies.

As for the Blue Jays (another chamber member), the chamber had no difficulty recommending that the city make a great effort to accommodate and keep them in Dunedin. They cited all the speculative benefits to the city and ignored that back in 1990, when we last granted the Blue Jays' wishes with a new stadium, etc., downtown Dunedin business was going down the drain and there were more shops boarded up than open. The Blue Jays had been here 15 years at the time.

The Stadium Fund created in 1990, supposedly to completely support this project, now is in debt to our General Fund for more than $1.7-million. Paid attendance records for 1996-1999 inclusive were approximately 3,000 plus 500 "freebies" or "comps." Present capacity is 6,000 and the proposed renovated stadium is somewhat less.

This shows that the new contract will be a red-ink contract and the taxpayer will be on the hook for more pledged millions. It cannot break even, and everyone involved so far knows this.

If the chamber still thinks the Blue Jays are good for our economy and business generally, why doesn't the chamber offer to share the expense? How about putting up a good-faith, modest $1-million?

Aren't both of these issues perfect for two simple referendum questions? Do we not owe this to the taxpayer this time around?
-- Thomas J. Osborne Jr., Dunedin

Building overpasses on U.S. 19 wastes money

Every year, it seems, Pinellas County officials and the state Department of Transportation work on a plan for another flyover on U.S. 19. What I find funny is which road the flyover is constructed for.

When major roadways intersect with smaller roads, you will routinely see the smaller roadway flying over the major roadway, not vice versa.

But in Pinellas County, you see U.S. 19 flying over intersections at Ulmerton Road, Gulf-To-Bay Boulevard, Countryside Boulevard and others. Why did we choose to have the major roadway fly over the smaller roadways and not vice versa?

We all know property values are sky-high along U.S. 19 at major intersections, and that hampers building overpasses. My question is: Why doesn't the county simply buy land on the adjacent street that U.S. 19 crosses and build an overpass accordingly? It very well could save time, effort and possibly money.
-- John Fontana, Palm Harbor

Look for candidates who can make local roads safer

Re: Law enforcement solution to U.S. 19 woes is missing, letter, Aug. 23.

I think drivers in the area have no fear of getting caught running red lights, stop signs, etc., because the chances are very slim. When we go to the polls to vote in the next elections, we need to look for officials who can provide for our safety, which has been lacking for some time.
-- William Moore, Largo

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