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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 3, 2008

A Community Asset
Michelle Bearden's luminous article "Smilin' Jack" (Getaway, July 27) reminded me what a privilege it is to live in Tampa and what a disservice the Tribune has done to the community by decimating the daily Baylife section.

Articles like this are what readers want and deserve, and what a conscientious publication should provide on a regular basis. Tampa is full of people with fascinating stories that are there for the taking or can be found with some old-fashioned reporter's curiosity. It's a pity that for the most part, you no longer have the resources or imagination to find them.

Kudos to Bearden for reminding us of what it means to live in a community and for shining a light on a great personality.

CHARLOTTE ASTOR

Tampa

Story Lifted Her Spirits

Finally! Something truly newsworthy to read! The article "Smilin' Jack" was absolutely the best thing in Sunday's paper. Michelle Bearden did an excellent job in telling this man's story. It truly lifted my spirits and just reinforced my belief that living with Jesus Christ at the center of my life is what truly matters.

I have been considering canceling my subscription because of the content of this newspaper. I just get sick and tired of reading bad news! I understand human interest and reported kind acts do not sell newspapers as well as sleaze, corrupt politicians, murder and mayhem. I also understand it is necessary to report the news as it happens.

However, there should be more articles about people like Jack. He is an inspiration. I don't know him, but just wanted to comment that he is the living example of "letting his light shine" and serving his Savior every day by loving people and not being afraid to show it. He truly is an "ambassador of hope," and in these troubled times we're living in, we need all the "Smilin' Jacks" we can get!

You keep on smiling, Jack!

BRENDA RAMBACHER

Brooksville

Tampa Needs Better Jobs

With all the talk around the Louisville, Ky., mayor coming to draw young professionals to his town, no one is talking about the elephant in the room.

I can't speak for all fields, but as far as jobs related to finance, there is very little variety in the Tampa Bay area. Your choices are to work in a call center, work in some kind of sales position or do customer service. Where are the analytical jobs? Every time you hear about a major company coming to town it is a phone job. I am not trying to put down call center jobs, but I would prefer the opportunity to pursue something else. Many people take the call center jobs, because there is nothing else. I worked in a call center; I know most sit around wishing for something better.

I moved to the Baltimore area four years ago. It was purely a career move. I miss Tampa, but as far as my career goes it was an easy decision. It paid off tremendously. The opportunities here are plentiful. I would love to return to Tampa, but that may not happen until things improve.

You can talk about how great Tampa's Cuban sandwiches are, but at the end of the day, a Cuban sandwich doesn't pay my bills.

JUAN NIETO

Reisterstown, Md.

Blame Public Officials

Does one ever wonder why the bloom is off the Tampa Bay area rose?

The Hillsborough County Commission is dysfunctional and many times just plain ignorant, and the Tampa City Council is not far behind. St. Petersburg's mayor and city council have made a Herculean attempt to hide facts from the residents concerning proposed public expenditures. The Hillsborough County superintendent of schools has rammed curriculum changes down the throats of teachers without their input. The University of South Florida's president has no clear-cut vision of her school's mission. We have a NFL owner who could not care less about the fans; those running the team treat the press and fans as nuisances. We have a baseball owner who bought a team and wants the community to build a new stadium; corporate welfare at its finest.

Now you may understand why the mayor of Louisville was down here recently drumming up support for relocation to his city.

There sad thing is we have the talent to be a much better community, but citizens are turned off by those in public office.

DICK POWERS

Tampa

Consider Time Factor

Regarding "Road Officials And Residents Can Bridge Gandy Differences" (Our Opinion, July 26):

Your editorial on challenges facing both residents and transportation officials over linking the Gandy Bridge with the Selmon Expressway made some good points, but missed the mark on the key issue - time.

Both sides have been fighting each other since 1976. There is a way to design a useful link between the expressway and the bridge without adversely affecting residents and businesses. Even this Auburn graduate can see that - and it wouldn't have taken me 32 years to come up with one.

BOB MCCARTY

Valrico

Just Keep Listening

Regarding "Process Is Just Starting On Gandy" (Other Views, July 27):

Thank you to James Hargrett for wanting to listen to the residents of south Tampa on the Crosstown Connector. It's been way too long since we were last listened to. We thought he might have actually heard us the last few times he listened. But no, he's back again to listen.

I assume he will keep listening until he wears us down and finally hears what he wants to hear. Then we can have one of those Crosstown-to-Brandon monstrosities over our community. I just can't wait.

DANIEL RAPP

Tampa

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