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It’s not just the people, it’s too many cars in Tampa Bay | Letters
Here’s what readers are saying in Sunday’s letters to the editor.
 
Heavy traffic is seen along the southbound lanes of I-275 on the Howard Frankland Bridge in 2019.
Heavy traffic is seen along the southbound lanes of I-275 on the Howard Frankland Bridge in 2019. [ DOUGLAS CLIFFORD | Times ]
Published May 21, 2023

Cars aren’t the answer

Millions of reasons to plot Florida’s future | Editorial, May 14

The editorial regarding Florida’s future was very enlightening. Much of the subject material regarding the influx of new residents and new challenges is worth examination. Although many issues have been addressed, one issue that is so overlooked is one of transportation. Living in the Tampa Bay area, one only has to tune in to any local television station to see the daily weekday traffic in Hillsborough, Pinellas and other counties that surround these two counties. The answer is not to add more concrete for more lanes, or so-called express bus lanes. The issue that must be addressed is how to help alleviate the excessive automobile traffic that continues to increase every year.

I remember a few years ago when some committee members representing Hillsborough went to North Carolina to view their light rail systems. They were very impressed, but nothing ever transpired. Although former Gov. Rick Scott refused to accept money from the federal government to start a high-speed rail system between Orlando and Tampa, I believe that would have been a great start. Once upon a time, Tampa was considering a light rail extension to Tampa International Airport and the University of South Florida, and Pinellas County was considering extending it to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and to Tropicana Field, where the Tampa Bay Rays play.

Common sense about the overcrowding of the highways is so obvious, so what will it take for governments to realize something other than the motor vehicle will be needed?

Claude Morgan, Crystal Beach

Move there, not here

Millions of reasons to plot Florida’s future | Editorial, May 14

First of all, I’d like to personally welcome all the millions of new Floridians who have trekked across the country to make the Sunshine State their new residence. Second, I appreciate that you decided to move to the many other Florida counties rather than sleepy Pinellas. The county where you decided to settle has so much more to offer, including sunbathing, fishing, boating — to name a few. If you like swampy areas and happen to own a rifle, then you’ve hit the jackpot and can get rewarded for each python bagged. For folks still outside of paradise and contemplating a move to Florida, please keep central, north and the East Coast in mind — they are so much, much better than the west. Now grab that light beer and fishing pole and enjoy the rest of your life.

Darryl David, St. Petersburg

Required reading

Millions of reasons to plot Florida’s future | Editorial, May 14

This editorial and the accompanying charts in the Sunday Perspective section should be required reading for every politician at every government level in Florida. It should be required reading for every developer, contractor, homeowner, insurer and business leader. Of course, all should digest it. Ignoring the advice will lead to environmental disaster. The Tampa Bay Times and other Florida media should repeat it annually.

James Gillespie, St. Petersburg

Dan Ruth is right

Florida Lawmakers were too busy to tackle property insurance rates | Column, May 14

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While I’m seldom in harmony with columnist Daniel Ruth, I will give the devil his due. Mr. Ruth has properly and truthfully called out our state Legislature, especially the Republicans, as deaf to the needs of our citizens. What needs to be addressed was woefully ignored such as the hammer of home insurance premiums, but great courage was shown when our elected public servants crunched the drag queen threat. Perhaps our legislators have gotten too comfortable sitting upon their golden thrones in the Olympus that is Tallahassee.

Gary West, St. Petersburg

I don’t get it

From the left and from the right | Column, May 14

In the left/right file in Sunday’s Perspective section, one of the items excerpted from the right was headlined “America’s Lowest Standard,” by Charles Sykes. In his excerpted paragraph, Sykes states that, “We have apparently saved our lowest standards for the presidency. At this point, the Senate would be unlikely to confirm (Donald) Trump’s appointment to any other position of trust.”

This highlights what I believe is the real problem: Scores of voters think it would be a good idea to have a famously thin-skinned narcissist with temper control issues possess the “nuclear codes.” My question: How could anybody think that, let alone so many? I just don’t get it.

Terry R. Arnold, Treasure Island