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Published: March 31, 2008
Updated:
Better Use Of Money
Regarding "New Museum Park Estimates Within Range" (Metro, March 22):
The new museum park will cost the city "about" $24 million. I believe this is outrageous if it is based on the previously published rendering.
Why can't Tampa have a nice park like New York City's Central Park or Chicago's Grant Park, with shade trees and flowery shrubs artfully placed around walking paths? A low wall separating the park from the sidewalks, along with some benches and good statuary would be a better use of this money. Perhaps a well-placed pool and fountain in the center would be nice on a hot summer's day. According to the rendering, there were tall poles proclaiming "this is Tampa." Would anyone doubt that?
There are already good landscape designers with the Tampa Parks Department, and they could make this a memorable park for a lot less money - money that would not go for tacky little souvenir shops along the proposed Riverwalk. This isn't San Antonio.
RUTH CORDES CANTWELL
Tampa
Progress Over Growth
Regarding "Relaxing Growth Controls No Fix For State's Money Crunch" (Our Opinion, March 22):
This editorial is right on the money. How many times will Florida's elected leaders call for weakened regulations and faster permits as their answer to Florida's growth and economic woes?
Strong, effective and well-developed growth management policies that are enforced in the best interests of all Floridians are the tools Florida needs to develop a sustainable future. Florida will only prosper as a state when we commit to progress rather than growth. Progress means better jobs, schools, parks and more open space. Growth, simply for its own sake, leads to higher taxes, lower quality of life and the mess we now find ourselves in.
JOE MURPHY
Ridge Manor
Keep Game Indoors
Every time I see an article in the paper about the proposed Tampa Bay Rays new stadium I get upset. One of the obvious reasons is their proposal to demolish a perfectly good indoor arena in exchange for an outdoor ballpark.
An outdoor ballpark in this part of the country makes no sense whatsoever. The heat is not good for the players or the fans. Not only that, but the proposed new ballpark will have far less parking than the existing one.
Why would anyone in their right mind want to demolish the existing ballpark? This is another prime example of greed rearing its ugly head.
My hope is that cooler heads prevail and this whole idea fades into the sunset.
CHARLES KNAPP
Brandon
A Real 'Good Story'
I would like to thank Tribune reporter Mike Wells for his professionalism.
Within the hour after the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office left my residence notifying me of the loss of my wife, a reporter from your competing newspaper across the bay was calling me. I asked her to leave me alone. The next day she was at my door stating that she wanted to "write a good story." I was devastated, and she wanted to write a "good story." Wells respected the wishes of my family and my privacy.
After I learned that the person that caused my wife's death was only going to receive a minor citation, I contacted the lady who was interested in doing a "good story" during my time of duress. After repeated requests, she never contacted me.
I then realized that Wells had also covered the accident. I contacted him and he ran the story. I appreciate the time and effort that Wells put into this "good story" and hopefully his efforts will inform the public of how these gaps in the laws and the protocols in both law enforcement and hospitals allow people to slip through the system.
ROBERT T. CLAYTON
Apollo Beach
A Future Rancher
Ever since Buddy Johnson became supervisor of elections, he has had a few tricks up his sleeve. I doubt if Mayor Pam Iorio sends out mailings and e-mails with a photo of her attached to them.
By having a few cows grazing on his property, he now wants to be called a rancher and save himself about $12,000 in property taxes. I would hope that Property Appraiser Rob Turner's office approves his application to be a rancher only if Johnson resigns as supervisor of elections so that he can dedicate himself to being a true rancher.
I believe we need a new supervisor of elections who has much more concern about how taxpayer monies are used rather than self-promoting his own cause.
C.M. STONE
Plant City
Smoke-Free Movies
Disney Company recently, thankfully, announced it will no longer allow smoking in their films. Time Warner also has promised to reduce or eliminate tobacco products from English-language pictures distributed in the United States rated G, PG and PG-13.
These announcements represent a giant step forward for the Smoke-Free Movies Movement called "Screen Out!"
Why is this news so important? Exposure to on-screen smoking hurts the long-term health of our children.
Movies influence society's norms, values and cultural identity. In 2004, analysts found that 58 percent of PG-rated movies and 68 percent of PG-13 rated movies depicted smoking.
As a concerned parent and president of Hillsborough County Medical Association Alliance, I call on all media companies to consider the health of our children and remove tobacco imagery from the movies.
NIMISHA CHHEDA
Tampa
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