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Letters to the EditorsExpanded airpark will raise noise, neighbors' ire
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 18, 2000 Re: Bigger airport to ground gripes? Oct. 11 story. I can't believe that the city commissioners approved a bigger airpark in Clearwater. I bet they would not have done so if they lived in the surrounding area. I hear approximately two dozen small airplanes roaring over my house a day. Heaven knows how many more airplanes will do the same thing once a bigger airpark is built. I went to a community airpark meeting a couple of years ago. You wouldn't believe the rage and animosity the residents had toward the few airpark and city officials and civilian pilots. There were complaints about possible aircraft accidents in and around their neighborhood, but the loudest and most numerous complaints were about the noise. A bigger airpark will only produce more noise pollution and more aircraft traffic over homes and around two very congested roads: Sunset Point Road and Drew Street. This project is geared to a very select group of people -- those who fly airplanes -- and not the majority of citizens of Clearwater. At times pilots do not follow the airpark policies on flying after dark. They wake us up at 5:30 in the mornings and we hear them at 10:30 at night. I don't know what kind of airport security Bill Morris, the city airport administrator, is referring to in the Oct. 11 article, but I went to talk to the manager of the airport after being awakened one Sunday morning and there was no manager to be found. The worker there answered some questions for me. First, he told me that there was no way to tell who flew at 5:30 a.m. and he said that although the gates are locked after hours, each member pilot has a key. This just does not make sense. Planes ought to be checked each year to measure the noise of their engines to assure that they are within accepted tolerances. Some might argue that the airpark was there before most of the homes. Yes, that's true, but who should have more say in the matter, a select membership of pilots or a large section of Clearwater residents who would like to live in a quiet environment? And if the former argument holds up, then I would use the same argument: We were here before the proposed expansion.
Tarpon firings hurt public trust in officialsWhat is going on at Tarpon Springs City Hall? We have recently lost two good city employees: Jim Schroeder and, most recently, Jeff Rosencrans. The professionalism of both will be missed by those of us who have had the opportunity to work with them. It is a shame they had to go. But there is a major difference in how they went. Although Jim Schroeder's dismissal was questionable, the residents of Tarpon were at least told why he was dismissed. The residents of Tarpon are not privy to the reasons Jeff Rosencrans was dismissed, but the unfathomable part is that Mr. Rosencrans was not given even a hint as to why he was fired, either. As a resident who helps pay Mr. Rosencrans' salary and that of the city manager, I find this embarrassing and offensive to both the residents of Tarpon and Mr. Rosencrans.
Belleair Bluffs officials serve publicI have been a resident of Belleair Bluffs for the past 25 years. I am 34 years old, I own and operate two businesses in Belleair Bluffs, and I am raising an 11-year-old son. I love Belleair Bluffs and Pinellas County. Recently I was elected city commissioner, a position I have put a lot of work into and one in which I take great pride. I research every issue that comes to the commission. I have always made it a special point to contact and listen to the residents of our town. During the seven months I have been in office, I have become very involved, especially with the new community/City Hall complex being built. This project has been in the works for eight years or more. I have remained silent long enough about the letters you have published, many of which have been riddled with misleading or incorrect information. One misleading point has been repeated throughout. A vocal minority says some commissioners of our town are unethical or that they do not listen or care about the citizens. This is simply not true. I listen and remain highly ethical. I have had my home phone number published in the local paper. I recently, at my own expense, mailed out a printed postcard to all the registered voters in our city. The postcard was strictly factual and asked anyone with concerns to please contact me. I stated my affirmation of the commission's decision to build the project. I received fewer than 10 responses from more than 1,250 mailouts. When I was a candidate for office I stated I was for the community center-City Hall complex. I was elected by the people. I am following through with my campaign promises. This project is honorable, necessary and wanted by the majority of our residents. The facts are available and so am I. Please call me with any question at (727) 518-0042 or (727) 585-4502.
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