 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Letters to the EditorsKenneth City council is exasperating
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 18, 2000 Re: The Oct. 11 Kenneth City Council meeting. I am a resident of and registered voter in Kenneth City. I also regularly attend the local council meetings. I left the Oct. 11 meeting of the Kenneth City Council so angry that my hands were shaking. I sat, in awed disbelief, as the council renewed the waste disposal contract with Waste Management. Present at the meeting, along with many residents, were representatives of at least three waste disposal companies. Each of these individuals politely explained to the council that they were very eager to submit a bid for Kenneth City's waste disposal service. Every resident who took the microphone vehemently expressed a desire to see this service put out for bid (which involved no cost and held the potential for significant savings to the town). I have no problem with the service that has been provided by Waste Management. It is, in fact, entirely possible that Waste Management may have won back the contract, but to do so, it would have had to compete, thereby offering us the opportunity to retain the same service at a reduced rate. What makes the council members' actions even more incomprehensible is the fact that they received the prospectus from Waste Management (containing the new, higher rates) after the motion was made and seconded. They were, in effect, voting to bind Kenneth City to a contract they had not read. This is the same council that recently spent roughly a month debating and gathering bids for a dump truck for the Public Works Department. I fail to understand how the council members can justify spending this much effort on a project where the cost difference measured less than $5,000 and then blindly leap into a contract that is one of the largest currently active in Kenneth City. I am forced to wonder what connection any of the council members have with Waste Management. I would like to express my thanks to Mayor William Smith, the only member of the council who exercised some financial responsibility and common sense in voting against the renewal of the contract. It is my intent to put the members of the council on notice that I find their smug indifference to the will of the people who elected them absolutely unacceptable. It is my intent to do everything in my power to see that each and every member of the council that voted to renew this contract is voted out of office when his or her term expires. I do not intend, ever again, to quietly suffer the effects of their arrogant imbecility. I strongly urge the residents of Kenneth City to make an effort to attend these meetings so they can see for themselves what is taking place in their town.
Concerts on Upham Beach? RidiculousRe: Upham Beach might host series of concerts, Oct. 8. A promoter claims backing and encouragement from the Gulf Beaches Chamber of Commerce and "the fathers of the community" who would like to see more activity there. Amy Wimmer, the Times writer of this newspaper article, should identify all people of the chamber and the "fathers of the community" so we can all focus blame for the ridiculous idea of bringing a mass of traffic and potentially 4,000 to 5,000 pairs of feet tramping down the recently planted landscaping. Community Service Director Mike Knotek should discuss items of this nature with those who will be most concerned and affected by concerts in this area, rather than pandering to the promoter, Jerry Katz.
Curfews don't work, a study showsRe: Curfew is unnecessary, ineffective, editorial, Oct. 8. Many see curfews as a panacea to juvenile crime with little cost associated. As we know, most juvenile crime is caused by a small number of youths. In a 1998 study by the Justice Policy Institute looked at California counties and cities that have or had curfews. Statistical analysis did not support the claim that curfew enforcement reduces any type of juvenile crime. The most compelling reason to oppose the curfew is racial profiling. In Fresno and Santa Clara counties, Hispanic youths were five times and black youths three times more likely to be arrested for curfew violations than white youths. In Los Angeles, young people of color are arrested two to three times more often than white youths. In 1990, the San Francisco Police Commission decided to remove that city's curfew because "it cannot be enforced fairly." The study concluded "that there is no basis to the belief that curfew laws are an effective way to prevent youth crime and keep young people safe. The focus should be on the potential crimes reduction effects of prevention strategies that provide a comprehensive array of services, opportunities and interventions. This would have long-term benefits to the community."
St. Petersburg High "tradition' is covetedRe: Yearning to belong, Oct. 1. When I read this story, I knew it would brew up a storm. The Oct. 11 letters in response show just that. My daughter was in Rojans at St. Petersburg High for three years and loved the camaraderie and additional chances it offered for participating in school activities. At the time, Rojans had several members who were Asian-American and Hispanic -- just to set the record straight. Contrary to the news article, which glossed over the service activities, Rojans is one of the more active clubs when it comes to community service. My daughter worked at Pee Wee Olympics, tutored at Bay Point Middle School, worked at the Festival of States and the St. Anthony's Triathlon, tutored an ill child who was home-bound, handed out toys at the Christmas Toy Shop and distributed those fancy seat cushions at Tropicana Field that ticket holders received on Opening Day. This volunteer experience was a positive one and aided in her quest to obtain college scholarship money, join a national sorority at Florida State University, and be named in the 1999-2000 edition of The National Dean's List for college students. As for St. Petersburg High's "tradition," I think more high schools wish they had it. My husband, his sister, her son and my daughter -- all Green Devils -- had an impact on my son, who had the opportunity to attend a prestigious, private school. Instead, he is now a "Baby Devil." It was his choice, and he loves the school. He wants to join a service club, too. The students at St. Petersburg High who want to join a club without the "rush" aspect have many choices. For those who do "rush," many will not be accepted. This brings me to the point that high school students (and their parents) should be mature enough to understand: Life's not fair.
Grateful for flop of Eckerd planRe: Plan to buy parcel for Eckerd store flops, by Amy Wimmer, Oct. 8. I have only two words: Thank goodness!
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times South Pinellas desks |
