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© St. Petersburg Times, published December 14, 1999
Pinellas County officials are thrilled that they get to extend the Pinellas Trail through Florida Power's right of way in northern and central Pinellas County. It's just sad how county officials are using this positive deal for the citizens to cover up several issues with Florida Power.
Florida Power (by making this deal) is simply prettying the very ugly waste of land throughout the county. High tension power lines are everywhere and take up a great deal of space. Not only are the lines defacing the landscape, but it's impossible to go out and wander more than 300 yards without coming across another trail of power lines on poles.
Also, Florida Power holds a monopoly. The county paid $15-million to lay a trail on land it (arguably) owns, to a company that provides poor service at times, that shows little interest in the environment and that shows relatively little interest in improving the place where their users live.
Florida Power and the Pinellas County Commission pulled quite a con job with their little "deal." I just hope citizens will figure out that it's not all fun and games along the Florida Power trail.
-- John Fontana, Palm Harbor
This Thanksgiving has had special meaning for me. My dad and his wife came to visit. Minor medical problems kept them from a planned trip, so I offered them an alternative, Thanksgiving in Indian Rocks Beach.
Our Thanksgiving quickly turned into a nightmare. Dad was admitted to the emergency room at Sun Coast Hospital at midnight on Nov. 26. Over the weekend, his medical condition seemed to improve. On Monday morning, the hospital called to tell us he was in a coma, with a breathing tube. He is 79 years old, so this news was very frightening.
The next morning, the breathing tube had been removed. Dad really hated it! He was sleeping peacefully. Soon he awoke, and asked what had happened.
-- I cannot begin to express my appreciation for the team of doctors who have rallied to aid my father. From the cardiologist, to the neurologist, the renal specialist and the radiologist, my father has been treated with dignity and respect. In addition, the admitting emergency room physician has continued to visit and show his concern. His daytime and evening nurses have been tremendously supportive of a patient who was determined to get out of bed while connected to high-tech equipment.
We will be forever grateful that my dad came to visit for Thanksgiving. If not here, then where would he have been? And what kind of care would he have received? Thank you Sun Coast Hospital for your medical expertise, and your compassion.
Susan Crane Logsdon, Indian Rocks Beach
Re: Condo project offers lifestyle for rich, famous, story, Dec. 12.
Wasn't that a beautiful picture of the new Sand Key condo in Sunday's Clearwater Times? I noticed two sailboats pulled up on the beach. Isn't that illegal? Will the "Sand Keystone Cops" shoo them away?
I couldn't see Gulf Boulevard behind the building. Will the condo residents sail home on the two sailboats every day? I also couldn't see any towering condos beside or behind the new condo. Will they be torn down?
When Clearwater looks like all the developers' beautiful pictures, won't it be a great place to live?
-- Early M. Sorenson, Clearwater
Re: Clearwater set to hire firm to design garage at beach, story, Dec. 8.
I cannot remain silent any longer. I have worked on Clearwater Beach for the last 13 years. I have seen many changes since then, both good and bad. A parking garage on the beach in the Pier 60 area is about the worst idea yet.
Some years ago, the city had considered putting up a parking garage where the roundabout is being built. Those who fought against the garage prevailed in their argument that a parking garage would destroy the vista of the beach and view of the Gulf. When the new Pier 60 playground was created, the structures were built to allow for an unobstructed view of the beach and Gulf waters.
Once again the city is determined to build a parking garage, a giant monolith of concrete and steel, but this time they want to build it right on the beach. Where are the voices that fought to protect the beach before? It seems their voices have fallen silent as our beach is again threatened.
Yes, there are times parking on the beach is a real problem. But the answer is not to build an ugly parking garage on our beach, ruining the atmosphere and the view. Only during peak times is there a parking problem. The city should buy the Days Inn building, tear it down and build a parking garage on the property. The beach open-air lots can be left alone. The view of the beach would not be spoiled and extra parking would be available on those days that it is needed.
It's time that the residents of Clearwater wake up and realize that there are those in government service who appear to be bent on destroying the last of nature's beauty in the name of development and progress. Do we want another Sand Key story for Clearwater? Speak up, Clearwater, and put a stop to it. It's your beach; protect it. If you don't, it may one day be nothing but concrete and a memory.
-- William Kunzman, Clearwater
I want to share with the citizens of Clearwater the reaction of four of my children who no longer live on Clearwater Beach. They were, however, recently here and I heard nothing but raves from them regarding the positive changes in the city that greeted them from Gulf-to-Bay to the roundabout at the entrance to the beach.
They repeatedly asked how in the world all the changes were accomplished. My stock answer was "Mike Roberto." After a day or two, they jokingly asked if he did all this alone. I gave credit also to the mayor and the city commissioners.
I sincerely hope that your paper gives credit where credit is due and prints the letters that support our city government. Granted, there have been mistakes made, but the improvements clearly outweigh the vicious attacks against Mr. Roberto.
-- Patsy Schamber, Clearwater
Re: Magic moment for bluff may be here, story, Dec. 5.
The picture that ran with this story, showing Clearwater Harbor and the bluff, says it all. A parking lot and tennis courts with a view!
Tennis players aren't there for the view and the cars couldn't care less. Put a roof over the parking lot to create a deck overlooking the harbor that could be enjoyed by all. This deck would become a place to meet friends, eat a light snack, stroll around or sit and enjoy the view.
-- No condo, no office building, no big hotel. This should remain a public area we all could enjoy.
Lois Heisdorf, Clearwater
I have lived in the area since 1966 and watched Sand Key turn into a concrete eyesore. In looking at the rendering of the proposed parking garage on Clearwater Beach, I'm sure I'm joined by thousands in asking: "Have they completely lost their minds?"
-- Ed Monahan, Palm Harbor
The Church of Scientology should be left to the judgment of the organized religious world.
-- Michael D. Sweigart, Palm Harbor
Re : Law can keep settlements, public in dark, story, Dec. 12.
Our Clearwater neighborhood, Historic Bayview, was the victim of a secret Pinellas County settlement. The county agreed, in secret negotiations, to give one of Bayview's streets, County Road 31, to the owner of a piece of land the county needed to build the Bayside Bridge.
That violated the law requiring a public hearing before the county gives away public streets. No wonder County Attorney Susan Churuti and County Commission Chairwoman Sallie Parks like the new Conflict Resolution Act, which makes many secret settlements legal. As the commission looks for ways to cram more development into our already full county, it might have to make a lot more such secret settlements.
-- Jack Alvord, president,
Historic Bayview Association, Clearwater