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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 24, 2008

City Has PR Problem
Since moving back to Temple Terrace from Austin, Texas, in 2001, I'm shocked how little Temple Terrace is known regionally. Folks either don't know where it is, or they think Temple Terrace is crime ridden or they don't think our area has any history, culture or character.

Yes, Temple Terrace has a regional PR problem.

Although those of us who live here love it, Temple Terrace is not widely known or understood outside our city limits. This is a problem that all need to solve.

Recently, while in Tampa presenting images of Temple Terrace's historic architecture (yes, we're an historic city planned in 1921), a longtime Tampa resident mentioned she didn't know where Temple Terrace was and thought it had been built in the 1960s as housing for USF faculty! Oh, and she asked where the temple was!

Obviously, we as a city need to do a better job not only correcting misinformation here at home, but also getting the word out to our competitors in south Tampa about who we are, and what we as a community have to offer.

Let's start emphasizing our city's many assets to the region. We can compete with anyone.

GRANT RIMBEY

Temple Terrace

Gandy Is A Mess

The Florida DOT seems to have a problem with being straight with the public.

Those of us in south Tampa attended meetings with DOT for three years about what was to be done about the traffic problem on Gandy Boulevard. They didn't "listen" to the public then, and now we read in the paper that they want to put up an overhead road but they'll "listen" to the public. Really? Who is going to swallow that line?

They took away the center turn lane that we all used to get to the businesses on Gandy. Are they trying to kill the businesses? Are they trying to turn this area into a slum?

The only time traffic is difficult on Gandy is two hours in the morning rush to go to work and two hours going home after work. If it takes these drivers 15 minutes longer to get where they are going, I suggest they get up earlier. There is such a thing as patience. Practice it.

The state is firing employees and squeezing school budgets to reach its own budget and here DOT wants to put in an elevated road that will cost millions. Put the center turn lane back and pave the roads. Gandy is a mess.

NANCY HIKE

Tampa

Speculating On Storms

Regarding "State Farm Requests 47% Hike For Homes" (front page, July 17):

State Farm says it must increase its rates for home insurance policies 47 percent in order to "stabilize" and be able to pay customer's future claims. When I cancel every policy I have - car, home, life, jewelry and a million-dollar "umbrella" policy - they will have exactly 47 percent of nothing. I imagine I will not be the only one.

Ordinary folks are trying to decide what to cut in order to compensate for rising gas and food prices. For State Farm to demand an increase in home rates by 47 percent on what might happen during hurricane season is like me moving into Buckingham Palace on the off chance I might be the next queen of England!

KATHY LANE

Lithia

Consumers, Fight Back

State Farm's rate increase is a familiar move used by other insurers: cancel thousands of policies, collect commissions by moving customers to the state's poorly run Citizens, and seek an increase to replace the profit from cancellations. Unfortunately, campaign promises have produced little relief. All we have is the largest state-run insurance company in the nation with us footing the bill for increased rates and Citizens' costs, too.

It is time consumers take charge and tell insurers like State Farm, "We are mad as heck, and we are not going to take it anymore!" If State Farm cancels you, fire them. Cancel all your other policies with them. Why give them access to your more profitable car and life policies?

Until these companies face the economic pinch that only the consumer can bring, they will continue to gouge us and profit from the free ride that Citizens gives them.

GENE WELLS

Tampa

Promoting Class Warfare

Regarding "Gramm Meant What He Said" (Other Views, July 21):

John Young writes about Phil Gramm's poorly timed comments of economic hard times being mental. He then goes on to promote class warfare by blaming the last real Republican, Ronald Reagan. Reagan's message was limited government, individual responsibility, state rights and fair taxation.

Reagan accurately determined the quality of our lives is determined more by the choices we make than anything the government will ever say or do.

The fact is the top 50 percent of wage earners pay 96 percent of the federal taxes, and the bottom half pay 4 percent. In general, the bottom 50 percent receive substantially more back than they put in with child, health care and housing assistance as well as the current tax rebates. I am not suggesting it's an easy life, only that we need to be honest when we discuss taxes.

Understand the next time a Democrat says no more tax cuts for the rich, he is talking about half of us.

DEAN L. WALTERS

Ruskin

Lockstep With Liberals

Regarding "Offshore Drilling Fears Unjustified" by Johnnie Byrd (Other Views, July 17):

Byrd hit the ball out of the park. I live in District 11 represented by the ultraliberal Kathy Castor. Every time I have sent her my feelings regarding energy and fuel prices, I receive the same response: She is progressing with health care and welfare compensation. She has never responded to my direct questions.

We need to protect our citizens and not the world population who hates us.

JEANNE FREE

Apollo Beach

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