The gathering storm
New Port Richey agrees to negotiate $7.74M in incentives for ‘transformative’ project on U.S. 19 | June 24
What an absurd shell game developing flood-prone properties has become. New Port Richey’s $500,000 increase in property taxes will seem like a pittance when rising seas require increased mitigation, skyrocketing insurance, evacuations, rebuilding and ultimately retreat from flood zones. The increased tax base is just a temporary illusion. The rapidly increasing dangers of living in coastal high hazard zones and other flood-prone areas are becoming obvious to all. So why are city officials unable see, let alone plan for, what’s coming in the all too near future?
Diane Love, St. Petersburg
Ought to be a law
As a family mourns, prosecutors drop charges | June 23
I would love to give thanks to Times journalist Tony Marrero for elucidating why charges were dropped regarding the high rate of speed of a vehicle that caused the death of a woman was not considered a factor in that woman’s death. It is noteworthy and the law should be changed. I, for one, will be contacting everyone that I can to change that law. I believe it is wrong that someone can drive at a high rate of speed, cause a death and then get away without being charged with a crime. I would love to also thank the reporter for portraying the women in the story with such kindness and concern. They came across as a friend, a family member and a great asset to the human race. I would like to quote John Donne by way of Ernest Hemingway’s novel to bring it on home: ”Send not to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.” It means that this is a great loss of a human being and that loss is immediately felt. It tells us to act now so that you do not also have this happen to you or a love one.
Holly Haley, New Port Richey
Make way for reckless drivers
As a family mourns, prosecutors drop charges | June 23
As this family mourns, I shake my head at a judicial system that allows a driver like this to go free. As a rideshare driver I believe I have one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet right now. I see no fewer than six red light runners every day. When I am first at a stoplight, I delay starting too fast in case someone is blowing through a red light. When I do that, the person behind me blows their horn at me with total impatience. Tampa Bay has so many speeders and red light runners and to read about this family whose lives have been forever changed and the perpetrator has charges dropped. What? This only paves the way for more acts of bad, reckless and careless driving.
Nancy Salisbury, Largo
Where for arts now?
Fla. arts, culture funding slashed from budget | June 23
Whew! Thank you, Gov. Ron DeSantis, for protecting Floridians from rampant arts and culture. It wouldn’t do to have us running around soaking up arts and culture when we should be out there banning books, getting guns whether mentally fit or not, crashing cars into pedestrians with reckless abandon, ignoring speed limits, etc. Way to govern, governor!
G. Williams, St. Petersburg
Such a deal
Why this St. Pete council member backs the Rays-Hines deal | Column, June 22
St. Petersburg City Council member Copley Gerdes is a financial planner. He understands the present value of revenue received in the future, and he understands debt service (interest paid on borrowed money). He even mentions these concepts in his opinion piece. He then states he doesn’t want to confuse readers, so he will consider costs and revenues as if they all occur at this present moment. That makes the Rays/Hines deal look much better than it actually is financially. The $470 million in future property taxes on targeted (not minimum required) development won’t start being received until 10 to 15 years from now. Their actual value in today’s dollars is far less than $470 million. As for the taxpayer money going out, the $400 million-plus is all in present day dollars, and when debt service is considered, it is close to double that number. He also mentions future property tax collections following the end of the 30-year project in 2054. It is not unlikely that the Rays will want a new stadium at that time, using those tax revenues to pay for the new stadium. It’s a never-ending 30-year cycle.
Hal Freedman, St. Petersburg
The best way
Memorializing shooting victims | June 24
In the discussion of how to memorialize the places where Americans have been shot to death and injured, I was surprised that nobody mentioned that the best memorial would be gun legislation to try to ensure these massacres will stop.
Ann Jamieson, St. Petersburg
No more balloons
Don’t let go: DeSantis signs bill banning intentional balloon releases in Florida | June 25
It’s way past time to stop releasing balloons into the air to memorialize or celebrate someone. Watching a mammal or seabird die an agonizing death from swallowing the balloon, or getting caught in the string, is no way to honor a loved one. Make a difference by planting a tree, picking up garbage, donating to a charity or simply showing kindness. Any one of these actions will have a much better, positive and lasting impact.
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Explore all your optionsHeidi Sumner, St. Petersburg
Spend on arts, not that
Fla. arts, culture funding slashed from budget | June 23
My granddaughter recently spent a week at Mystery Art Camp at Safety Harbor Art and Music Center. It is an amazing place run by amazing people. The instructor mentioned our governor is cutting millions from the arts next year, which will greatly affect the programs held there. Somehow he has found plenty of money for the Florida State Guard, which feels like a publicly financed private army to me. The COVID-19 pandemic nearly ended a lot of arts programs. FreeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg was especially creative in holding outdoor events to keep money coming in. We need more money for the arts and none for the useless private army our governor felt the need to establish.
Melissa Brahm, Clearwater
It’s a public record
Phone log privacy disputed | June 21
These telephone calls may not have been made on a government cell phone or paid for by the state, but they were made by a government employee doing government business, so quit puss*footing around and release the call log. Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law states that all meetings of state, county or municipal boards or commissions in Florida must be open to the public, with rare exceptions. It’s plain to see that when the anti-woke Florida governor and his minions have something to hide, they use this tactic in an attempt to get around the law.
David Burg, Tampa
Listen to the cries
Insurer is seeking max rate hike | June 20
I am curious why Citizens Property Insurance board member Scott Thomas thinks the “real” story is making it more difficult for people to hold their insurance companies accountable for coverage on their homes. The Republicans have time to fix property insurance, having been in majority of the Florida Legislature for 30 years. Why is the insurance industry such a disaster? Why have the changes not helped people afford their home insurance premiums? Policies are getting more and more expensive. People are drowning under the costs. Why do the Citizens Property board members and Republican leaders keep claiming that lawsuits are the driving factor for insurance cost? They should enact actual meaningful changes to the insurance industry. People are screaming for help. Our leaders should listen.
Holly Wilke, Port Richey
Disparities in justice
Trump’s conviction made for sad, strange day for US | Another voice, June 1
I am writing to express my concern over the stark disparities in how felony convictions affect the lives of ordinary citizens compared to high-profile individuals like former President Donald Trump. While Trump, despite convictions on 34 felony charges, continues to run for the highest office in the country, countless individuals with far fewer or less severe convictions struggle to secure basic necessities like jobs, housing and other means of survival. This glaring inequity perpetuates a cycle of disenfranchisem*nt and marginalization for those who have served their time and seek to reintegrate into society. It is imperative that we address these disparities and advocate for policies that offer fair opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their past.
Kenneth Jerome Brown, Arverne, New York
