Transients are an affront, safety risk
Criminal Background Check
I'd like to comment on the recent attack on Father Jim Jones, the Franciscan friar assaulted on June 6 near Bayshore Drive in downtown St. Petersburg.
I am a primary-care physician, and Father Jim is one of my patients. He is a gentle and kind man and has been a pleasure to care for. I am sickened and dismayed to think he was the victim of such a brutal assault. Apparently one of his assailants has a criminal record, and the public rest room where this occurred is a site of frequent drug dealing. It reflects poorly on our police and city administration that this occurred downtown at a busy time of the evening.
Many people who pass through the downtown area are struck by the large number of transient individuals there. Many of these unwelcome guests make temporary homes for themselves along the waterfront and in city parks. Their presence there is not only an affront to the regular citizens of this town but poses a safety risk for us all, as this assault has demonstrated.
I live in downtown St. Petersburg and have had numerous unpleasant encounters during my walks along the waterfront. Many other residents I've spoken to have had similar encounters.
One should also consider the impact that this may have on potential investors and businesses that are considering establishing themselves here in St. Petersburg.
It's time for the mayor's office and Police Department to take strong action on this matter. No longer should we tolerate the encroachment of the transient population here, and the police must step up their efforts to make our public areas safer. Our parks and sidewalks are meant to be used for recreation and enjoyment, not as campgrounds for vagrants and criminals.
A. Clemente, M.D., St. Petersburg
Do something about derelicts
Re: Friar beaten, robbed; one suspect arrested.
The mugging of the friar in the comfort station at Second Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive was very sad, but locking its gate to prevent further access by the public, half of whom are visitors, isn't very swift.
Derelicts always congregate outside it and there is never a police presence to check on their activities. In a city with money for everything (listen to Mayor Rick Baker on hold sometime), we could afford a camera outside and inside to monitor safety. The same situation exists at the station on the beach, north toward Snell Isle. Maybe do something bright before something happens there, too. This isn't rocket science.
Tony Witlin, St. Petersburg
We must help the hungry, homeless
Until now, I didn't realize just how little we do for the hungry and homeless in Pinellas County. I have always tried to help others, by cooking and donating food and clothes from time to time, but I realized it's not even a drop in the bucket compared to what others do and what I could be doing.
Have you ever wondered about your next-door neighbors and if they have enough to eat? Maybe they are down to their last dollar, and it's a week before their check is due. And believe me, except for the grace of God, it could be happening to any one of us. Years ago, we knew our neighbors. We knew who was hungry in our area, and we helped feed them. Today, we just refer them to a county agency, if we even know about someone who's hungry or living on the street.
Most of us live in our own comfortable little world and can't be bothered with others. We are so blessed and yet we don't help others. Why? God has blessed us and we need to pass those blessings to others.
Did you know we have more than 500 churches in Pinellas County? Did you know as churches, preaching the word of God, we should be feeding the hungry and providing shelter for those in need? And yet are we doing that, or do we leave it up to city services? I do believe if churches believed what they are preaching, we would not have hungry people in this area.
After helping in a soup kitchen and seeing those hungry people come in to eat, I know I will do more of the same in the future. There are so many ways we can help if we really want to. Just pick up the phone and find out what's needed and where. These local soup kitchens and food banks need help every day. We must open our eyes and hearts and help those in need.
Fran Glaros, Clearwater
Blame spending for property tax hikes
Re: As tax rate falls, revenue rises, June 10.
I read with great interest the article regarding St. Petersburg's budget cut proposals for this year. Once again I believe the blame for soaring property taxes is being misdirected.
Under our current tax system, the amount of taxes levied really depends on four factors: property value, millage rate, government spending and homestead qualification. Of these only the millage rate and spending are under direct control. The value of property depends on fluctuating capitalistic market forces.
Therefore the reason our property taxes have soared over the past five years has little to do with home values and much more to do with uncontrolled government spending and a failure to decrease our millage rate in proportion to rising property sales.
Even though the millage rate has been microscopically lowered, taxpayers have felt little relief as the reduction has not been close to offsetting the rise in property values. The net result has been higher taxes annually to just about everyone.
The latest budget proposal is just another example of "fuzzy" math. The 5 percent proposed cut in the tax rate really represents a $12-million raise that will be shared by all city property owners. Most of us would love such a pay cut! This is despite the fact that we have enjoyed record new development and home prices. Frankly the millage rate should have dropped by at least 4 to 6 points over this period (an amount that might bring real relief).
So let's stop blaming rising property sales for our tax problem and place the blame where it belongs: on the overzealous spending of our elected officials.
Richard Knipe, St. Petersburg
Add these to 'tacky' list in Seminole
Re: Seminole gives vendors cold shoulder, June 7.
To the Seminole council members worried about the "tacky stuff' that could be sold along the streets: Let's add cars, boats on trailers, campers, cars on trailers that sit on front lawns all over town. That's not tacky? I'd rather have hot dogs at Home Depot than see two or three sitting on my neighbors' front lawns.
Tim Sutton, Seminole
Litter is overwhelming Florida
There are many signs around with the slogan "CLICK IT OR TICKET." It is a popular slogan, especially in this time of massive road rage.
Can we add this message: "FLICK IT AND TICKET" in regard to cigarettes and other trash? Our beautiful tourist state is seriously being polluted by selfish, uncaring individuals.
Just open your eyes and look at the interstates, roads and storefronts as well as our treasured beaches. I am already fretting over the deluge of trash and filth that will be left on our beaches on the Fourth of July.
Cheryl Mogul, Gulfport
[Last modified June 18, 2006, 07:40:25]
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