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Sunday's letters: On Bondi, let the facts speak

 
Published Oct. 31, 2014

Playing politics | Oct. 29, letter

On attorney general, facts speak

The letter writer accused the Times of playing politics with its article about Attorney General Pam Bondi and her involvement in laws being passed in other states. This letter epitomizes a lot of what is wrong with the political environment today. People are too quick to reject facts if they fly in the face of their party loyalty.

It is not the opinion of the Times reporter, but a fact, that Bondi is inserting herself into politics in other states by signing briefs challenging a Connecticut and New York ban on semiautomatic weapons, a federal ban on "straw" purchases of guns (how do you defend that?), and a federal law restricting handgun purchases for people ages 18 to 21. It is also a fact that she's siding with agribusiness in opposing a measure to clean up Chesapeake Bay.

Facts such as these absolutely belong in the news section of our paper. If the letter writer agrees with her stance against commonsense gun control and environmental protection, he can say so in the opinion section. I happen to think these facts demonstrate Bondi's loyalty to the NRA and big business, but then, that's just my opinion.

Jackie Gavrian, Brandon

New opportunities for the low-income Oct. 22, editorial

Chance to earn, contribute

Those of us with the Red Tent Women's Initiative, on behalf of the 400 female offenders who have been served at the Pinellas County Jail through weekly classes, would like to express gratitude to St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and City Council members who promoted "banning the box" on city job applications.

By providing men and women the opportunity to possibly interview and explain a past felony offense, we give them the chance to move on with their lives and become contributing members of society. Too many obstacles have been set in their path. Bravo for removing one here in our own community.

Barbara Rhode, St. Petersburg

On its main promise, health law has delivered | Oct. 28, commentary

Not a success story

In touting the successes of Obamacare, Michael Shear suggests that "many are finding the coverage affordable" and that "the health care industry also seems to have benefited financially."

My wife received her medical insurance premium notification two weeks ago. The Humana policy she has had for the last five years has been wonderful. The notification states that "Humana will now in 2015 update … all policies … to meet the Affordable Care Act rules." Her previous monthly premium was $283; it will now be $677. She has had no claims beyond basic preventive care.

She went to HealthCare.gov to look for an alternative plan and learned that rates and plans for 2015 will not be available until mid November. She called private insurers directly and was told that government regulations prevent them from sharing rate information until Nov. 15. That's just after the election — isn't that politically convenient? At that point my wife will have 30 days to secure a plan or go uninsured.

Charlie Crist thinks that Obamacare is great. My wife and I don't.

Dave Loeffert, Dunedin

Loud pile driving to persist | Oct. 29

Will the noise ever end?

I am one of the residents who has had to put up with this constant pile driving in downtown St. Petersburg. Now we learn that this is going to continue through the holidays. What guarantee do the residents have that it will end then?

It was suggested that the start time be changed from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. This would only prolong the process, as it would take longer to complete with fewer hours to work.

Another suggestion would be to bring in additional equipment to speed up the pile driving. There would be more noise, but it would be completed faster.

The nonactive sinkholes have been known about since May 2013. Why would the city building codes even consider approving a 19-story project (previous articles said 17) to be built on this kind of foundation?

The next project, beginning in February, is the Salvador on Second Street S. Will we have to put up with more pile driving starting in February? Enough!

Carol Hess, St. Petersburg

Scott's DEP takes softer approach | Oct. 19

Protect Florida's resources

This article shows how important it is to protect Florida's waterways. Gov. Rick Scott has made drastic changes to the Department of Environmental Protection, but the DEP and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have worked for years to keep our water clean.

On the 42nd anniversary of the Clean Water Act, a report from Environment Florida, "Waterways Restored," highlights what the law has meant for Tampa Bay, taking it from being murky and polluted to being a great place to spend time fishing, sailing or kayaking.

All of Florida's waters deserve a success story, but a loophole in the Clean Water Act has left thousands of Florida's streams, including those that feed into Tampa Bay, vulnerable to pollution.

Thankfully, the EPA has proposed closing this loophole to protect all of the state's rivers and streams. The agency is taking public comments on its rule until Nov. 14, but polluters like agribusinesses and big developers are waging a bitter campaign against it.

The Clean Water Act has meant progress for Tampa Bay, but its promise isn't yet fulfilled. That's why it's important for the EPA to stand up to the polluters and restore safeguards to all of the rivers and streams that crisscross our state.

Tehya Saylor, Largo