Can a collection stop annexation?

Island residents again say no Nov. 7, story

Can a collection stop annexation?

A spokesman for the developers, R. Donald Mastry, says "height is not a big deal." It sure was a big deal when the Fuel Group was shot down by this same St. Petersburg City Council for an Old Northeast hotel that was within the building codes.

His clients, Amico, Sembler & Frabrizi, etc., purchased property (at the height of the real estate market), which had building codes and restrictions enforced by Pinellas County. Now they can't turn a profit developing by those building codes, so hey, lets change the rules.

The city of St. Petersburg stands to gain $132,000 in tax revenue by creating a noncontiguous finger across the Intracoastal Waterway and open water, which will allow the developers to build at levels nonconforming to the residential neighborhood. Is that all: $132,000? Something sure does stink here. I'll bet every resident on Tierra Verde will kick in $30 a year if St. Petersburg really needs $132,000 and will stop this asinine annexation once and for all.

Bob Mensch, Tierra Verde

Tierra Verde annexation

Historic wisdom

"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes."

— President Andrew Jackson

Mrs. Kim Trombley, St. Petersburg

Election 2008

Memorable day

I recently was asked by the Pinellas County Poll Worker Department to fill in as the machine manager for the Childs Park Recreation Center polling site, Precinct 224.

I was honored and emotionally moved to experience voters casting their votes. Young, old and many first-time voters of all ages were exercising their rights as Americans. The looks on their faces, their serious attitudes toward the process, and their joy in completing and casting their votes provided me with memories I will never forget!

I wish to offer my sincere thanks to Childs Park Precinct 224 for allowing me to serve you in this capacity. My life was enriched by the true stars of the day: the voters!

John Leanes, St. Petersburg