Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 7, 2001
Re: Largo police traffic teams misplaced, letter, Sept. 3.
I would like to assure the letter writer that his concern and viewpoint regarding Largo police traffic enforcement does not fall on deaf ears. Conversely, the many weekly calls from residents requesting stricter enforcement of speed laws in front of their home or business also do not fall on deaf ears.
Both the letter writer and those who call asking for help know all too well that traffic violations contribute more to injuries and death in our community than all other criminal activities combined. That is why the Largo Police Department will create a specialized traffic unit as soon as staffing levels permit.
As to the claim that the current use of ad hoc traffic teams enforcing speed laws is a "speed trap," I would like to clarify how and when these teams are deployed.
Upon receiving calls from our community concerning speeding autos and other concerns, area officers are notified to evaluate and address those concerns. Speeding complaints are further evaluated and as often as possible are addressed by using one of our three department speed trailers, portable radar/digital display units that help educate the motoring public and also serve as gentle warnings that the area is receiving increased police attention.
While this is taking place, the computer within the speed trailer collects valuable data on the traffic flow, severity of speed violations and the time of day that most violations occur. After five days, an additional analysis of measured data is conducted to determine if the speed trailer itself had a deterrent effect on speeding violations and whether a reduction in violations could be observed.
Only after all the foregoing has taken place and no visible deterrent effect was noted is an ad hoc traffic team deployed.
This past week the department's speed trailer was put into use on Missouri Avenue in front of Largo High School. This is the same general area where a pedestrian was struck and killed less than eight months ago. If the data collected from our speed trailer do not show a decrease in speeding violations, then we will deploy a traffic safety team to address the problem with intensified enforcement. This is a strong clue that we might be conducting selective speed enforcement in the very near future.
After all of these clues, I would hope that the department's efforts to save lives and reduce injuries are not labeled a "trap."
-- Lester Aradi, Largo chief of police
Re: Commission votes itself a 10 percent raise, story, Sept. 5.
I am heartened that Largo Mayor Bob Jackson wants to increase the number of people who want to run for mayor; however, I agree with Commissioner Mary Laurance when she says the motivation should be service and not money.
The $7,412.50 addition to the budget is not that important in a multimillion dollar budget. But many people are having a harder time making ends meet because the economy has slowed. The people have had to economize, why not the city?
As a symbolic gesture, the commission might have voted no to a raise this year. Such a gesture would have signaled a willingness to hold the line on the budget.
Running for commissioner sounds like a good idea. The 15 to 20 hours a week shouldn't be too onerous. If I were to run, I might pledge to donate part of my salary to the Largo Library or to buying vests for the police. Just as a gesture.
-- Philipp Michel "Mike" Reichold, Largo
Re: Dunedin tells Jays it won't budge, story, Aug. 29.
Dunedin Mayor Tom Anderson is right in saying "enough is enough." A contract for $12-million has been signed. Now it is up to both sides to work together and make a workable plan to fit the amount agreed upon in the signed contract.
It is unfortunate that such an alliance, after so many years of working together, has come to this point.
As a retired teacher who taught at Dunedin Elementary for many years, I know what it means to the students to have the Blue Jays in the area -- in this case, right next door to the school. We had rallies, made posters and cheered for the Blue Jays.
Let us show impressionable youngsters that the two sides can come together and formulate a workable plan within the signed $12-million contract.
-- Natalie Steffgen, Dunedin
What is the most common factor that one notices when driving along U.S. 19 or any other major thoroughfare in Pinellas County? The traffic? Most likely. The lack of change in scenery? That is probably the truth, too. The fact that a few palm trees are supposed to make up for a total lack of shade and foliage in shopping centers throughout the area? You better believe it.
What's the deal with people who design local shopping centers, malls and the like? Why is there such a fear of providing some shade from the sun in parking lots? Do they honestly think that they need all spaces in the lots on any given day? That would be a laugh indeed.
Anyone who has seen the Shoppes at Boot Ranch (at the corner of Tampa Road and East Lake Road/McMullen-Booth) would know that the shopping center is one large heat island of concrete and asphalt. Instead of planting trees where they could cool down the area (in the parking lots themselves, even on the walkways between Albertson's and Target), we see them lining East Lake Road and being cut back severely by Florida Power when the trees get dangerously close to the power lines.
At Countryside Mall recently, all slash pine trees on the east side of the mall by JCPenney were removed for irrigation purposes. What trees were left were more ornamental than useful in providing shade during walks from your car to the mall and back.
I don't know if any of these strip mall designers are reading this, nor do I know if my opinion is shared by the majority of Pinellas County residents, but it's time to stop the insanity! Shopping centers are not winning prizes for looking picturesque on the outside with pretty palm trees that serve only ornamental value. Plant some trees that will provide some real beauty in the form of shade.
-- John Fontana, Palm Harbor
Am I understanding this correctly?
First, I am penalized for using too little water -- i.e., a minimum water bill. Then, I am penalized for using too much. What happens to my water that, theoretically, is banked when I haven't used it?
Surely, the suits running SWIFTMUD can come up with another solution -- a lot of us have. Simply lower the minimum water usage charge. Better yet, don't have any minimum water usage. Pay only for what you use. What is so difficult about that?
-- Kathryn M. Mozina, Palm Harbor