Northpinellas: Writers have a few suggestions for northerner

I, too, am a relative newcomer to Florida, but I don't remember our northern voting machines being as efficient as letter writer Paula Isler seems to indicate.

Does Ms. Isler also remember the very long lines that those machines generated? A picture in the Nov. 8 St. Petersburg Times showing long lines outside of a northern voting booth refreshed my memory once again.

I find the simplicity of the Florida voting system refreshing and easy. No clumsy handles or lines to wait in. It is obvious that because of their apparent low cost, more positions for voting are available, eliminating the long lines I used to experience "up north."

Another observation: Ms. Isler is now in Florida and should adapt to life here. Things aren't always better "up north." I find her remarks rude.

As for her assertion that she "did not know any of the candidates except those running for president," isn't it the duty of the voters to educate themselves on the candidates and issues, as we did using the excellent information printed in the special section of the St. Petersburg Times?

Finally, I patronize a local hardware store that has a sign that says, "There will be a $5 charge for telling us how much faster, better and cheaper things are up north."
-- Les Ciesemier, Largo

Even a northerner has to be informed to vote

Re: Northerner surprised by voting booths, Nov. 9 letter.

It never fails to amaze me how some of our new residents from the North think that they have a much better way of doing things than those of us that have either lived here for some time or were born here. Let's dissect this letter, just for fun.

First, letter writer Paula Isler states that she was not aware of any of the local candidates or issues. I guess not being informed is our fault.

Secondly, she complains about the lack of voting booths and states, "Don't they know how we do it up north?" Ms. Isler, we don't care how you do it up north.

Her letter goes on to complain about her new friend having to use a magnifying glass to vote. She states, "What a way to vote.'" I guess up north the seeing eye dogs are trained to read the ballots to those who are unfortunate enough to have some type of vision problem.

The last paragraph certainly made me smile. She states that she feels "sorry for people who don't have good hand-eye coordination." What makes me think that she is one of the ones driving 30 mph on U.S. 19 in the left lane?

Ms. Isler, please do those of us who like the way we do things down here a favor. Go back home.
-- John Snyder, Clearwater

Don't be so quick to praise Calvin Harris

Re: Harris' role as peacemaker courageous, Oct. 31 editorial.

Although I had previously written to thank you for your balanced presentation of the issues now facing Largo residents surrounding Taylor Lake Park, your current representation of Commissioner Calvin Harris as "courageous" reflects an obvious bias and a failure to accurately portray a situation created by the failure of all the Pinellas County commissioners to represent the families who will be affected by their actions. Your characterization of Commissioner Harris also casts a negative light on those families who are attempting to have their voices heard.

Please take a moment to place yourself in the shoes of the hundreds of families who are now being faced with the very real likelihood of a major sports complex being constructed in the midst of their quiet neighborhoods, complete with high-intensity lighting, 300 parking spaces, seating for 500 people, sports fields, etc.

Imagine that you knew nothing about this facility until all plans had been completed and construction was slated to begin. Imagine that there was a complete failure to notify or include you or your family in the planning process. Does your definition of "courageous" include disenfranchisement of the majority of the families who will be affected by this facility?

Imagine for a moment that you attempted to find out about the road widening and were told that its purpose was only to facilitate emergency vehicles' access to Ridgecrest Elementary School, only to be told later that the planning of the YMCA facility at the Omni Center was already under way. Imagine that your letters and telephone calls were unanswered and ignored. Does your definition of "courageous" include misleading information and a failure to respond to the very families who will be impacted by this development?

Imagine that you then discovered that the Pinellas County commissioners made no attempt to ascertain the effect of this facility as to noise, increased traffic, lighting or environmental issues. Does your definition of "courageous" include a blatant disregard of environmental issues, particularly as the planned facility will border Taylor Lake Park, a bird sanctuary that is the habitat of several endangered species?

Imagine that there was no response by any of the Pinellas County commissioners to these concerns for several months. It was not until letters appeared in the St. Petersburg Times demanding a meeting that Commissioner Harris became "courageous" in "offering" to meet with these families. Imagine that none of the other Pinellas County commissioners seemed to take any interest at all. To date, Commissioner Karen Seel, who directly represents these families, has made no attempt to intervene.

The actual meaning of the word "courage" is having the ability to confront something difficult or painful instead of withdrawing. Your characterization of Commissioner Harris as courageous couldn't be further off the mark.

The Taylor Lake Homeowners Association welcomes this belated opportunity, however, to speak with the commissioners. We are requesting that a meeting be held within the month and that it be attended by all the commissioners who played a role in this matter, not just Commissioner Harris. We are requesting that the meeting be held in a neutral site away from the Omni Center and that adequate, written notice be published at least two weeks prior to the meeting so that the voices of all affected people can be heard.
-- Christopher Dowling, president, Taylor Lake Homeowners Association, Largo

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