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Letters: East Lake doesn't need more taxes

 
Published May 29, 2014

East Lake Sports backs property tax | May 16

Residents don't need another tax

On June 24, the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners will discuss raising property taxes on East Lake property owners. This would be a 0.25-mill increase for the already over-taxed residents of East Lake.

This new tax will be for the East Lake Youth Sports complex on Old Keystone Road. Most of our children use Oldsmar, Palm Harbor and Clearwater sports fields. And we pay for our own children's fees.

It is hard to be against children's sports, but this needs to be placed on the August or November ballot for the residents of East Lake to decide. If you agree, please email, call or write our seven county commissioners.

Roger Johnson, East Lake

Clearwater Beach parking

High prices send wrong message

Prices just went up! Florida's best beach is making a lot of people upset. Now the price is $3 an hour with a five-hour limit. People like to go for the day. Now the message is: Welcome to Clearwater Beach — now go home!

Tom Yetter, Largo

Crossing guard dies on corner | May 21

Corner name can honor this guard

While I did not know crossing guard Doug Carey during his lifetime, I have come to know his contributions to Clearwater and to our country following his untimely and tragic death.

Perhaps the City of Clearwater should rename that intersection of Belcher Road and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard as "Carey's Corner" in his memory.

Steve Allbritton, Palm Harbor

Tragedy raises two big questions

Such a tragedy! Two questions come to my mind:

1. How many traffic violations does it normally take to end up in jail?

2. How many politicians still believe we need to get rid of all red-light cameras?

My sympathies to the officer's family, friends and colleagues.

Gregory Tyillian, Clearwater

Elephant makes splash after working party | May 20

Animal's joy is worth considering

Reading this story made me feel sad. Then I felt anger that the people at this party had no compassion or understanding that this elephant was being exploited since she was a baby 58 years ago, brought here over 50 years ago, taken from her mom, sold in 1977 to a man who uses her for parties, weddings and rides without her consent.

Requests to remove the elephant from her sojourn in the water so the guests would go inside for their dinner took the only pleasure Judy was experiencing in her non-elephant-like life.

Did not anyone at this party walk in elephant Judy's shoes and realize the desolate life she leads without an elephant herd as her natural birthright? This is so not right!

Marilyn Weaver, Tarpon Springs