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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 10, 2001
Saving the manatees is a part of our concern for God's creation and deserves the support of those of us who are trustees under God for that creation. We must increase protection for the beautiful, mysterious creature that God has given us.
If we throw caution to the wind and allow such a beautiful creation as the manatee to perish from the earth, it is as if we have ripped a page from the scriptures. Each year more manatees die from collisions with watercraft, and the threat is increasing. According to scientists, watercraft-related manatee mortality is the leading cause of death among adult manatees.
It is hard to imagine why this issue is so controversial. The manatee is not related to our basic needs of food, shelter or clothing. We simply need to be cautious and responsible in our recreation activities -- an entirely reasonable request and necessary to even our own survival.
Fortunately, the opportunity to make a major difference on this issue has arrived.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hosting a public hearing in Clearwater on the future of manatees in this state. Right now, special interests, developers, boaters and private property advocates are organizing to express major opposition to greater protections for manatees and their habitat at the hearing.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must see overwhelming public support for manatees if it is to continue to move forward with new protection measures. We urge all stewards of creation to attend the hearing and show support for increased protections for our manatee. What happens at the Clearwater meeting will set the stage for all future manatee protection in Florida. It is do-or-die time for the manatees.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service public hearing will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Harborview Center in downtown Clearwater (corner of Cleveland Street and Osceola Avenue).
-- Fred Morris, executive director, Florida Council of Churches, Orlando
Re: It appears the mayor's design is to wall off beach with condos, letter, Sept. 6.
Let's get the facts straight on redevelopment of the beach. The letter writer knows that our beach is not destined to be wall to-wall buildings. The letter writer obviously has a personal agenda and the citizenry of Clearwater needs to stop people like this one who perpetuate untruths about our hard-working officials.
The fact is that Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst and the City Commission have fought hard to establish stringent redevelopment codes and regulations. Without their hard-fought effort to protect our beach, developers would have been able to proceed under less restrictive codes.
The other point made by this letter writer alludes that an improved tax base only helps government spend more money. The fact is that an improved tax base means that property values are on the increase. Every property owner in Clearwater would benefit directly and indirectly from increased property values. The indirect benefit means that property tax rates do not need to increase. New development would bear a fair share of the tax base and minimize future tax increases.
On the other hand, if certain pockets of the community decay and property values decrease, it is more likely that tax rates will increase and cause your property taxes to go up to subsidize decaying areas.
It's time to give Mayor Aungst and the commission a pat on the back for doing a good job.
-- Jim Appelt, Clearwater
Re: Three Safety Harbor officials are all wet in fountain decision, letter, Sept. 5.
Having lived in Safety Harbor for more than 15 years and being a past president of the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce, I have been involved in many of the projects within the city. The fountain at Marina Park is one more wonderful addition to our community.
There seem to be many rumors and false accusations about the water for the fountain. According to the city engineer, the water used in the fountain is spring water that has been flushed out into the bay for years and cannot be used for drinking water. Also, Swiftmud has changed the language in the list of restrictions so that fountains with water that re-circulates can be turned on.
The three city officials -- Mayor Pam Corbino, Vice Mayor Nadine Nickeson and Commissioner Keith Zayac -- have acted responsibly every step of the way and clearly have the good of the community foremost in their minds.
-- Debbie White, Safety Harbor
Re: Oldsmar let politics override judgment, editorial, Aug. 30.
Your editorial was very interesting. I agree with your editorial. Politics has overridden judgment.
The Wilson Co. and St. Petersburg Times have continually called for adherence to the law. I want the laws governing this development followed with all fairness and speed. So, in all fairness, there are some new issues in this matter.
The number of single- and multi-family units allowed on that 27-acre property appears to be 135 units, not 270 units. The Oldsmar Citizens Alliance has presented this finding to the city attorney, city managers and other agencies that have a stake in this matter. Tom Trask, the city attorney, has publicly said that this "is not incorrect."
Unfortunately, this issue had not been sufficiently researched by those responsible for this in Oldsmar. If you wish to start looking into this, why not look into the Oldsmar municipal code? You may even find it online: www.municode.com. Go to Florida, Oldsmar City Ordinances, then go to section 6.4 Aquatic Lands.
It gives the definition of an aquatic land and in the next paragraph states that, "No aquatic lands may be considered in the determination of required land areas, maximum density or allowed densities (i.e., maximum lot coverage, open space requirements, recreation space requirements, etc.) for any abutting or adjacent upland."
I think the rest is fairly easy. There are 20 acres of developable land at 10 units an acre, giving 200 apartments, not 270. After looking into this further at the county and state level, there are added restrictions that reduce the total number of units to 135 multi- and single-family units.
The Wilson Co. wants everyone to play by the rules and play fairly. I am very pleased with this attitude. It means that they want to be good citizens, and I respect them for that. The courts have overturned that city Snyder hearing of last May. Let us therefore join them in calling for another Snyder hearing to address these issues and not let "politics override judgment."
-- John Anderson, Oldsmar Citizens Alliance
A lot of negative things have been written lately about the lack of driving manners in our area. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a note of thanks to all those who helped my little gray-haired mother when her car broke down on the eastern entrance to the Clearwater causeway.
From the young man who helped push her car out of harm's way and later came back to ensure she was all right, to the retired gentleman from Island Estates who stayed with her until her car was towed, and to the Clearwater police who responded with prompt and courteous assistance, a heart-felt thank you for your unselfish kindness!
This is not just a thank you for helping my mother but also for helping to restore a faith in human beings that they would go out of their way to help a total stranger in a time of need even in this era of road rage and me-ism. A wonderful fresh breeze of optimism has blown into my skeptical old heart; so again, thank you to all of you who helped.
-- Jack Nutting, Clearwater
Re: 'They are not killer dogs,' owner says after attack, story, Sept. 3.
As an animal lover, I cannot help but feel terrible for the cats that died such a horrible death. On the other hand, has it occurred to anyone that if the cat owners had followed the law and kept their cats in the house, their animals would still be alive?
If I am not mistaken, there is law in Pinellas County that says cats are not allowed to roam free. I therefore feel that the cat owners should be held at least partially responsible for the deaths of their cats.
-- Barbara Enfinger, Palm Harbor