Northpinellas: Largo should nurture renaissance festival

It never ceases to amaze me how city politics work. When someone in the city government wants a business or organization gone without looking like the bad guy, he or she simply passes stricter regulations and ask for more sacrifice until it's not worth the effort to stay.

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival should be seen as an asset to Largo. It is the only tradition we have left. It is going on 22 years in Largo. What other event has stayed in Largo that long?

If Largo wants to grow, it needs to nurture our diverse events and not just the white-collar socials.

And as for the festival preventing other groups from using the land, what happened to the Spookfest held on those grounds around Halloween? What about the fire department conducting training on those grounds? At least the city collects money for the use of the land, which would just be a swamp if not for the festival.

Someone was quoted in another article several years ago saying that when the festivalgoers leave the festival grounds, they leave without doing anything else in Largo. If that's the case, then the city should capitalize on the draw of the festival and hold corresponding events in Largo Central Park and see what it can leech off the festival. The city could offer more family-oriented entertainment and concessions.

Just say no to a dog-walking trail. That would benefit a very small number of citizens who happen to live adjacent to that property.

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival has "bay area" in its name for a reason. It draws 70,000 spectators from all over the Tampa Bay area. What other tradition or event does Largo have that can boast that?
-- Bryan Leeth, Largo

Nielsen is vital to Dunedin

Re: City rates Nielsen's importance, Sept. 11 story.

This is in regard to the fine article on Nielsen Media Research in Dunedin.

I am still proud of the work of the citizens committee on the Dunedin 2010 comprehensive plan, with myself as chairman, Tom Anderson as vice chairman and Richard Follett, city planner. Then arrived on the scene Robert Ironsmith, a man with a magnificent mind and a golden pair of hands, as community redevelopment director. You can go anywhere in Florida now and see places that have copied our plan.

We will take a giant step backward if we let this incredible business slip out of town.

I am also proud to say that we now have one of the better city commissions. Please, commissioners, do not let this tragedy happen to our town. Do whatever must be done.
-- A.J. Voiland, Dunedin

Let put children's lives first

Re: Kids on Ulmerton warrant worries, Oct. 6 editorial.

What is the worth of a child's life? I don't think we can ever place a price on any life and certainly not on the life of an innocent child, especially since God has placed these children into the hands of adults to protect at all cost.

So how can the need for a crossing guard require such a long and extensive study, when the safety of our children is the issue that's being studied?

This week is supposed to be Alternative Transportation Week, which means we prefer people to walk or ride bikes or double up with other drivers to get more vehicles off the road. If this is the case, then to suggest we hire another bus to transport these children to school when they are within walking distance sort of defeats the idea of Alternative Transportation Week. I would think the cost of hiring a crossing guard to protect our children would be a lot less than buying another bus and hiring another driver, plus adding more fumes and toxins to our already polluted air.

If this subject needs to be studied before we hire a permanent guard, let's at least hire someone in the meantime to fill in until the study is complete. Our children's lives depend on it. Rules and regulations are fine, but let's not let a child die in the meantime.
-- Fran Glaros, Clearwater

Washing hands a healthy habit

I have been reading and hearing about the expected shortage of flu shot vaccine this year. There is a simple solution for avoiding colds and flu: wash your hands.

I wash my hands immediately after coming home from the grocery store, the library and anywhere I've handled things other folks have handled.

It's also a good idea for children to wash their hands after school, after play and before eating, etc. A good habit like this will become automatic.

So keep healthy -- wash your hands.
-- Dorothy Karkheck, Palm Harbor

An ode to Mike Roberto

Oh Mike Roberto, we miss you so,
throwing out ideas to and fro,
and all those consultants on the take
and your non-traceable license plate.
Each day I arose to hear
the new ideas you held so dear,
the benefits never were to materialize,
but they were so much fun to criticize.
So we miss you as much as the rising sun,
for now Clearwater ain't as much fun.
Bob Coffey, Clearwater

Back to North Pinellas news

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

Special Links

Mary Jo Melone

Howard Troxler

From the Times
North Pinellas desks