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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 14, 2008

A Sign Of The Times

Regarding "Hixon Design Gets Mixed Reviews" (Metro, Feb. 8):

I am relieved to read that at least some council members "didn't like the five 50-foot-tall glass structures" with letters spelling out T-A-M-P-A.

Maybe architect Thomas Bailey, being a Big Apple denizen, regards Tampa as so obscure and inconsequential that passers-by will have to be reminded where they are as they stroll by our new central park. Couldn't George Steinbrenner be coaxed to invite him to a spring training game at Legends Field next time Bailey checks into town and gently explain that this insults the intelligence?

Worse still, the totally unimaginative way Bailey's plan would convey this superfluous information puts his entire design in jeopardy (no pun intended). The park might look more like an overdone bus or tram stop than a refreshing garden spot.

JEFF CORYDON

Tampa

A Microcosm Of Life

Regarding "A Courtroom Drama Is Brought To Life" (Metro, Feb. 9):

Daniel Ruth's column caught my attention because of personal involvement in a criminal court of law some years ago here in Pinellas County. In fact, this was the one and only time I served on a jury.

It was an appeal of a death sentence by a defendant who had been previously tried and convicted on three counts of murder one. The appeal was a replay of the original trial where the defense tried to convince the jury through mitigating evidence and circumstances to find life imprisonment instead of the death penalty for the defendant. The trial lasted several days at which time we jurors were sequestered to deliberate and render our decision to the court. Speaking for myself, this was the hardest decision I have ever made in my entire life!

I, along with the majority of the other panelists, again recommended to the judge the death sentence for the defendant.

There is always drama in a courtroom because, from my own experience, this is really a microcosm of life itself.

JOSEPH P. CORELL

Clearwater

The Edible Gender

I was shocked to see your headline in Baylife, "Women Make Nutritious Horse Treats" (Feb. 7). Shades of Sweeney Todd!

ANN DENZ

San Antonio

Not On Their Menu

I would like to point out that the Baylife headline "Women Make Nutritious Horse Treats" must be an error. Everyone knows that horses are herbivores!

NEAL NORTON

Brandon

Awareness Is The Key

Thank you to Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee for the outstanding display and registration area for "Operation Safe Return" set up and manned at the Florida State Fair. The response was just great and we thank the deputies who coordinated the effort.

We need more awareness and events such as this for children. The computer flash drive is a tool that must be encouraged by all parent-teacher groups for at least the K-8 grades.

Sponsors are needed for this life-saving device that was advertised in the Feb. 10 Tribune with a special section on sexual predators and sex offenders. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Hillsborough County School Board were also partners of this first annual Florida State Fair Student Rally. Community awareness is the key to making this a success.

Please call the sheriff's office at (813) 247-8000 for more information.

JOE VOSKERICHIAN

Tampa

Florida Blazing A Trail

Regarding "All Students, Athletes Included, Are Entitled To School Choice" (Our Opinion, Feb. 10:

Thank you for pointing out that school choice should not be only the purview of the talented, rich or famous. If Hillsborough County Schools are having a problem with athletes being allowed to transfer to schools that are above enrollment capacity, the solution is not to limit their choices, as you pointed out - it's to fix whatever is broken in the system that is allowing abuses to occur.

Florida has blazed a trail for the rest of the nation to follow when it comes to school choice; don't undo all the good that has been accomplished with that because of a few unscrupulous coaches. To do so would set education reform back by a decade - and that could have serious ripple effects in other states where school choice is being tried.

KARLA DIAL

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Victims On All Sides

Regarding "Maximum Sentence Given In Hit-And-Run That Killed 2" (Metro, Feb. 9):

This is a triply sad story with several lessons. More frustrating was the heavy hand visited upon the guilty driver.

A few years ago, a demure dance teacher who killed two kids and ran was charged with a lesser second degree felony and got a mere two years of house arrest. Her defense was the same - she became terrified and didn't know what to do.

It is likely that the illegal alien hit-and-run driver with the expired work visa and driver license either did not see or could not avoid the jaywalker.

Poor judgment was followed by a lack of judgment which was followed by the desperate exercise of extremely bad judgment. Two people are dead and "a throwaway" sentenced to 30 years might as well be.

HENRY HOWER

Tampa

The writer is managing editor of School Reform News.

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