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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2009

Priorities Upside Down

During my 12-year tenure as a state legislator in New Hampshire, I had the responsibility at one point to serve as chairman of the House Committee on State Institutions in order to oversee the operation and standards of our Youth Development Center (YDC) along with other state facilities. Governmental overview of state institutions is always needed, although experience shows that it is seldom productive.

From my appraisal of the situation as reported in the Tribune, it would seem that Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration is overlooking some important issues by recommending the removal of the license for Tampa Bay Academy.

Priorities seem to be all upside down. Children in need of 24-hour mental health care are being removed from unhealthy and dangerous surroundings, and yet only one-third of the employees who oversee their protection and care are being removed. In addition, two-thirds of the rest of this same group of negligent and inattentive personnel are sheltered from the agency's order by virtue of their positions in the academy's group homes and charter school and therefore retain their jobs, salaries, health care benefits and pensions.

Why retain 15 staff members to rebuild another facility like the substandard one they now manage? Wouldn't it make more sense to start at the top? To dismiss the current managerial staff and bring in new individuals with better credentials who would, in turn, qualify and dismiss inadequate and disinterested personnel at all levels and replace them with compassionate, caring and well-educated caretakers?

Coincidentally, the cost to remove 15 at the top of the food chain might even help balance the agency budget and allow the hiring of a couple of new therapists.

ELSIE VARTANIAN

Tampa

Look Outside Pinellas

Regarding "Rays Identify 7 Potential Stadium Sites In Pinellas" by Russell Ray (Dec. 31):

Ever since the new stadium discussions started, I have been stunned by the fact that the Rays organization does not realize how much they could increase their fan base and resulting ticket sales by relocating east of Tampa somewhere near the I-75/I-4 corridor. This would allow access to an additional 1.5 million fans in Orange, Citrus, Hernando and Polk counties who may find it too far to travel to a game now, while at the same time remaining within a reasonable driving distance for fans in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

For a team still concerned about low attendance even after a winning season, this seems like a no-brainer. If we build it, they will come.

LYNN BARNHARDT

Tampa

Hillsborough's The Place

When you offer free parking, the lowest ticket prices in the league, your team makes the World Series and you still can't sell out regular season games (unless the Red Sox or Yankees are playing), then maybe it's time to consider a significantly different stadium site.

I suggest that Pinellas County will not support a baseball team, and it's a waste of time and money to build a new venue for the team anywhere near the current one (like the seven proposed sites). Something in Hillsborough County near the fairgrounds or Ford Amphitheatre would draw from Lakeland and Orlando, as well as north Tampa.

Pinellas residents have been given a chance. They have shown they cannot fully support a major league team.

DAVE MULLAN

Tampa

Storms Causes Division

Regarding "Library Savings Small Part Of Sen. Storms' Agenda" (Jan. 3):

Senator Ronda Storms defends herself quite eloquently. Perhaps some of her economic agenda is commendable, but the problem with Storms has always been perception. Whether she is railing against public television, bikini bars or the library system, etc., she continues to be a divisive figure with her actions and rhetoric.

I have always thought politicians should strive to unite people, and she continues to divide.

As a resident of District 10, my opinion has always been that the senator is under-qualified, out of touch and that the compensation she receives is a waste of our tax dollars. However, over the years and through several elections, I remain in the minority.

KEITH LAPLANT

Valrico

A Better Perspective

I am happy to see that Sen. Storms took the time to put some perspective on her agenda addressing the state budget. Unfortunately, Tribune reporter Catherine Dolinski, in her out-of-context, selective reporting of misinformation, had me questioning why Storms was nitpicking the Dewey Decimal System.

Maybe Dolinski should be writing sound bites for television. One would expect to get the full story in print journalism. Was it a matter of costly space or policy agenda? A sad commentary on the Tribune.

PETER J. BROCK

Sun City Center

Storms For U.S. Senate?

I applaud Sen. Storms for standing up for the people of Florida. This is one smart lady; she graduated with honors from Stetson's law school, and she also is a very caring mother.

Our most precious resource in Florida is our children, and they are being assaulted. Storms has been taking a stand all of her life against those who would harm them. I would not be surprised if this great legislator is on the ballot for the U.S. Senate.

TOM CHASTAIN

Tampa

Good Work, Tribune

Ted Jackovics' article on transportation Jan. 4 was excellent ("Moving Forward," front page.) The article covers a complex subject with clarity, and the Tribune should be commended for publishing it.

Another article that deserves commendation was published Jan. 3 ("The Waterfront Revisited"). It tells the history of the riverfront land in what is now part of downtown Tampa. The illustrations showing this part of downtown during several decades are both innovative and instructive.

JOHN MCQUIGG

Tampa

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