Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 17

17a ST. PETERSBURG TIMES MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989 LETTERS It wasn't long, however, before the whole scheme was referred to as an arms for hostage deal with the Ayatollah and that misconception seems to prevail to this day. What became of North's version? Military action not the answer to Panama problem The irony of the whole mess in which North now finds himself is that if both the Iran and the Contra ventures had been successful, he would have been the hero of the day and all those involved would have rushed forward to acknowledge their participation in any part of the ventures and the same congressmen who so vilified him at the hearing would have been awarding him medals. But both ventures failed, perhaps because of inadequate support, and no one wishes to be associated with failures so North is left holding the bag. He deserves much better.

Marvin Tennant, Belleair A no-fault scenario Editor: This letter is to inform and educate the general public, especially the thousands of motorcyclists on the Florida roads, about the Florida insurance no fault law. Let's set up a scenario and you decide. motorists need to respect the right of bicyclists to travel safely." A word could be added about that tiny minority of Floridians who employ the elemental mode of transportation with which the human frame comes equipped: not two wheels, but two legs. Therapists consider walking a way to a healthful heart, lungs and brain. Thoreau said: "Ah, walking that is my holy time." A daily walk in St.

Petersburg is not without its hazards. I have twice been bitten by dogs, apparently trained to regard anyone on foot as the enemy. Times without number I have been sprayed by sprinklers more intent on watering the sidewalk than the lawn. Is it legal for bicycles to be ridden on the sidewalks? No bicyclist has ever signaled that he was about to pass, but many have whizzed by so close as to graze my sleeve. To paraphrase your editorial: "Walking can be a deadly pastime cyclists need to respect the right of pedestrians to travel safely." J.

Carter Swaim, St. Petersburg 'So Editor: Re: Prom no-show suedteen wants her revenge and $49.53, May 12, about a 15-year-old girl suing her prom date for standing her up. This is an insult to our legal system. So what? There was a little misunderstanding between two teen-agers. How immature can people be? Emily Lundy, Gibsonton A welcome change Editor: Re: Enough is enough on baby 's rescue, May 21.

I wholly disagree with the negative opinion of your TV critic, Janis Froelich. Sunday's TV movie, Everybody 's Baby The Rescue of Jessica McClure, was very accurately presented and I cried and rejoiced once again. The pathos and heroism were thrilling with rescue efforts of brave, caring crews, instead of the too-oft shown sex and crime we are exposed to. A hearty thanks. Vi Smith, Pinellas Park Ignoring voters' mandate Editor: I am simply amazed by the way our elected officials in Florida ignore the mandate of the voters.

We are driving on a Florida state highway, helmets are intact, wind is in our face and we are enjoying the scenery. The light turns red, we stop. All of a sudden, we are flying in the air. The accident has occurred. After two weeks of waiting we then find out that the individual who struck us is insured.

The insurance company settles immediately on the property 1. On a public referendum the citizens of Florida voted for a Florida lottery, the money to be used for education. Why then do our officials feel they can use the money for any other purpose? 2. In a public referendum the majority of voters voted to make English the official language of Florida. Why then are the legislators still debating the pros and cons of English as the official language? 3.

In a public referendum the voters voted to create an agency for the benefit of senior citizens. Why then do the boys and girls in Tallahassee decide not to create this agency? If they think so little of our opinion just remember there is another election soon. We will see. Claire Oromaner, So. Pasadena Explanation owed Editor: It's 90 degrees outside the sun is shining brightly so why is it "snowing" on my television set? The City Council of St.

Petersburg does owe its constituents an explanation concerning the approval of a 15 year contract with Paragon Cable, without competitive bidding or an enforceable guarantee for progressive improvement of services. There must be a logical explanation. Perhaps the council couldn't hear because of the "hissing" sound emanating from the interruption in programing on "their" cable too. Helene P. Allweiss, Treasure Island Adopt a Cat Month Editor: The month of June marks the 15th annual observance of National Adopt a Cat Month.

We have been informed that Pinellas County Animal Control will repeat, for the whole month of June, the wonderful offer it made during Be Kind to Animals Week. The charge of $15 includes not only a loving pet, but a free license, rabies and distemper shots, a feline leukemia test, deworming, and spaying or neutering. This is in keeping with the policy of the facility's new director, Dr. Kenny Mitchell. Last year, before he took over, about 8,000 cats were brought in, and only 1 percent adopted.

Dr. Mitchell's objective is to turn that around to let people know that Animal Control adopts pets out, and that it has an exceptionally fine and varied selection. Please don't hold out for a kitten! Dr. Mitchell says there are some beautiful, healthy, adult cats there. Older people, in particular, would be well advised to adopt an older cat.

Both human and animal will then grow old together, and a young pet will not experience the trauma of being left behind when its owner dies. Believe me, adult cats can adapt to a new home, when given plenty of TLC, which they will return a hundredfold. Remember, Animal Control is your facility, paid for by your taxes. Patronize it, and save a cat's life. The address is 5020 150th Ave.

near Largo. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday. Greta Bunting, Spokesperson The Human Alliance, St. Petersburg Water suggestion Editor: I've lived in the bay area for about 1 8 years. Every year our population increases our water supply suffers. Why can't we get water from Homosassa Springs or Crystal River? Millions of gallons of clean water run into the Gulf of Mexico Editor: Re: Noriega must go, letter to the editor, May 21.

The writer suggests that bullets are the overall solution to the Panama problem (if one exists). At no time did the writer propose to lead the invasion or further expose himself to any danger pursuing the "final solution," however, he is firm in his attitude of others dying in an effort to spend his tax dollars, i.e.; "mopping up narcotic exporting nations with our military." I do not believe the American taxpayer would get his "money's worth" by our military invading other nations. Any military action leads to death, destruction and misery. My tax money also supports our armed forces and I want them to maintain the defensive role they do so well. If we really want to help Panama let's move up the timetable for our withdrawal to within the next six months.

It is common knowledge the Japanese are negotiating with Nicaragua to build a new canal from Pacific to Atlantic, a canal bigger, better and more efficient than the Panama Canal. So let us stop thinking we know what type of government is best for Panama, or Nicaragua, or Guatemala or Chile. Let's spend those tax dollars here in the United States to reduce crime, drug addiction and illegal entry. Robert Dresdow, St. Petersburg Looking for a leader Editor: Re: Decisiveness has disappeared from our government and U.S.

leadership needed on world economic front, May 18. All of the problems that are facing us both national and international drugs, homelessness, AIDS, abortion, deficit, gun control, etc. within our shores and Panama, Contras, Middle East, Russia, NATO, internationally are problems of magnitude and will eventually have to be confronted. What we need more than anything are leadership and decisiveness. Leadership and decisiveness are the major ingredients needed now, and all of the major problems before us will be resolved.

Hope that somewhere "standing in the wings" that leader will emerge by our 1992 national election and lead us out of this bondage. Arthur J. Groh, Clearwater A 'bizarre' judgment Editor: Although I can understand the young lady who wished to keep her abortion a secret from her parents, the court ruling in her favor is one of the most bizarre judgments I've ever heard of. A minor in need of even the most routine operation needs parental consent, yet in one of the most emotional of all operations the court says she need not inform anyone. Outrageous! While it may be argued that informing her parents of this matter would cause her abuse, couldn't it be argued that drug bust, school suspension or even truancy would cause abuse from these same types of parents, as well? Why are parents notified of these matters, yet we bend over backward to protect the almighty right to have an abortion? Isn't this going a bit overboard in our support of such an emotionally charged issue as abortion? Unfortunately, the pro-abortionists probably look upon this as a "victory." Sad indeed.

Theo Benetis, Dunedin Walking can be hazardous Editor: Re: Education is needed to improve bicycle safety in Florida, May 20, by Gretchen Letterman, urges protecting the lives of the 400,000 Pinellas people who ride bicycles. The writer points out that, since "Bicycling can be a deadly pastime damage. But what about all the medical bills? They are coming in everyday, thousands of dollars worth. We have no medical insurance of our own, either through work or privately. There is no motorcycle insurance, because you cannot get PIP on a motorcycle even if you wanted to.

The other insurance you can get is outrageous. We have full coverage automotive insurance, but it won't pay for the accident. The insurance of the individual who struck us will pay our bills, but not until we are totally healthy again. Oh well, I guess we will lose everything we worked for and then start bankruptcy proceedings, all because of this individual's mistake. This is just one scenario, and believe me there are plenty more.

Well, what do you think? Should someone go in the poor house and start their lives all over again for something they didn't bring on themselves? Say "Hi" to the Florida no fault law. Jacqueline A. Stevens, New Port Richey Support for 'Thunderdome' Editor: Thomas French is exactly right. Don 't doom the dome! Dub it Thunderdome, May 23. And I'd like to suggest two slogans for the dome where our big league baseball team will play: "Thunderdome: Where it rains hits!" and "Thunderdome: Where hits reign!" Ted Jacobson, Tampa Editor: Thomas French is right! "Thunderdome" is right! For all the reasons he so humorously mentioned; I wish I had thought of it.

Let the storm clouds gather, you bet! May lightning strike. Merry Vogeler, St. Petersburg I Herblock Editor: Let the drums roll! Let the laser lightning flash across the concave "sky!" Yeah, Thunderdome. Now that's the ticket! D. C.

Wooldridge, Palm Harbor; M. K. Terebayza, Clearwater; Marilyn Oberle Boisvert, Largo; Barbara Parker, Largo; Marylou Bowman, Largo; Briana Foley, Clearwater; Eunice Walker, Clearwater; Charles Parsons, Seminole while we suffer water shortages every year. I think at least some of our water could come from these sources. At least pipe it to the well fields to keep the wells filled so we don't get salt intrusion.

It would be expensive but it would be a long-range cure. Walter Imhoff Largo North deserves better Editor: Strange how facts can be twisted and the twisted version eventually becomes the accepted one. At Oliver North's congressional hearing, he testified that the Reagan administration welcomed the opportunity to deal with a faction in Iran which, with the help of arms from us, had hopes of overthrowing the Khomeini regime, in which case they would, in return, free the hostages and become our ally in the Middle East. Share your opinions We invite readers to write to us. Letters for publication should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, P.O.

Box 1121, St. Petersburg, 33731. They should be brief and must include the handwritten signature and address of the writer. SATIRE COLUMNS to expand its walkways on Boulder Creek. Business interests initially fought many of the growth restrictions.

But today most local business organizations appear to support the citizen-led envi-ronmentalism even though a county-wide proposal for open space preservation, on the ballot this May, was opposed by Realtors and other business interests and was defeated. Has slower, managed growth hurt Boulder? No way. The jobless rate is minimal. And' the city has spurned massive deals that would make the average Boulder has a vibrant downtown. Breathtaking mountain views unmarred by ugly billboards and a constellation of open lands constantly soothe the eye.

Mark Russell Networks turn to the blue-light special CBS, the once classy network of Edward R. Murrow, has hooked up with mart to plug its fall TV shows. Good thing Murrow isn't here to see the CBS logo on display with the mop buckets and the Kimbies. NBC is doing the same thing with Sears. Next thing, PBS will promote Masterpiece Theatre with discount coupons from Jiffy Lube.

Although CBS' promotion plan involves the prime-time entertainment shows, it ought to be applied to the news programs as well: "Attention mart shoppers! Henry Kissinger will be on Face the Nation this CBS, once the most elegant network, is now reduced to marketing its products alongside discount cat food. Although, considering some of CBS' shows, maybe the cats should be offended. Secretary of State James Baker told the Chinese demonstrators that the Bush administration could not support them directly for fear of starting a riot. What does Bush think is going on over there now, Ping-Pong? Our policy: When the going gets tough, the tough get neutral. Ever since Nixon first went to China, the Beijing regime has been the "so-called Communists." The Sandinistas in Nicaragua are the bad Communists.

That's how it works. Ortega is a Democrat. Deng is a Republican. Los Angeles Times Syndicate ordinance forbidding development above a altitude on its mountain flanks, the town has developed a portfolio of growth-management tools that citizens anywhere, given sufficient political will, could emulate. Dismayed over a proposed big conventionhotel center between them and the mountains, Boulderites raised $250,000 to buy and protect the property as open space.

Then they passed a one-cent sales tax of which 40 percent now close to $5-million a year goes to open-space acquisition. Result: There are now almost 20,000 acres of close-in open space, buffering the town from urban sprawl, preserving farms. No resident is more than a 10-minute walk from jogging and hiking trails, a pathway along Boulder Creek, or open range. In 1971, citizens voted a charter amendment to limit buildings to a 55-foot height. Later, there were strict design guidelines for downtown.

In the early '70s, the Supreme Court ruled Boulder couldn't arbitrarily deny water, sewer and other services to halt development. So the city devised a careful comprehensive plan specifically indicating which land can be built on, which can't. Wisely, Boulder got the county government to let the city control all its surrounding territory. As population surged in the '70s, citizens by referendum limited annual growth to 2 percent. The number of annual building permits was capped, with preference to multifamily housing.

No town, says city official Jim Crain, should "build an elite community and tell poor people to go somewhere else." So all Boulder housing projects must set aside 15 percent for moderate- and low-income families. Of 38,000 housing units in Boulder today, 2,800 are low income. "This is the best place to be in America if you're poor," says city council member and University of Colorado Professor Spenser Havlick. "But the secret isn't out." He cites subsidized food and rental programs for poorer people, low-income housing vouchers, and medical care at the People's Clinic. The city is now considering a low-income housing trust fund.

On top of all this, Boulder has strict impact fees for development, is working on a transportation master plan with major provision for bus service and is trying Neal R. Peirce Boulder shows the way to manage growth wisely BOULDER, Colo. Last fall, the dream of a local aquatic biologist came true: Boulder officially opened its windowed observatory beside a cold, fast-flowing mountain stream where trout dart about, blissfully unaware humans are watching them through glass. A university town hugging the Front Range of the Rockies, Boulder prizes a lifestyle a few compass points off the American norm. There's lots of affluence, but also leftover '60s rebels wandering the streets.

Everyone is into avoiding stress, living "naturally" and healthfully. A downtown cafe displays ads for a mind-boggling array of self-improvement counseling services. "New age" shops offer crystals, minerals and other exotica. Snicker if you will. Boulder also has a vibrant downtown.

Breathtaking mountain views unmarred by ugly billboards and a constellation of open lands constantly soothe the eye. The population has soared from 12,000 at the end of World War II to 85,000 today. But there's scarcely a touch of the ticky-tack development that has blighted so many American communities. Why? For 30 years, Boulder has developed and nurtured the most serious and maybe the smartest set of growth-management principles of any town in North America. The movement began when citizens recoiled at development creeping up the scenic mountainsides.

It matured into a fervent belief that citizens can protect and control their natural environment. Is Boulder too "special" a place to be considered a model? Few places are so scenically set. Only a handful can bathe in the intellectual enlightenment and the "high tech" draw of the University of Colorado campus. But since 1959, when Boulder passed a "blue line" business recruiter salivate in anticipation. One example: a high-tech firm that promised 5,000 jobs but wanted a piece of the city's open space.

Yet when U.S. West recently was seeking a research-center site near open space, Boulder guided the big regional communications firm to an acceptable location. On its terms, without a penny of the tax write-offs or free land other towns were offering, Boulder won out. Validation in America is usually economic: grab jobs and income, and you're a success. Measured that way, no one can deny Boulder's triumph.

Here's a town that's grown and prospered even while preserving its exquisite natural setting. The method is altogether replicable: citizens relentlessly insisting on keeping control of their own destiny. Washington Post Writers Group.