Opinions and Letters

Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society responds to Pinellas County Commission budget proposals

The letter below was presented to the Pinellas County Commission at the public meeting Thursday, March 11, by Ginny Nelson on behalf of the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.  Ginny is a member of the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club.  The letter is reproduced below, in full, with Ginny's permission.

11 March 2010  The Board of Directors of the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, on behalf of our 230 members, thank you for this opportunity, to share with you thoughts we consider to be important when considering what actions to take in balancing the budget. We believe that it makes financial sense, for now and for the future, to continue to protect our environment. The county parks, preserves, trails, beaches, and other lands that we currently own and have invested much in are not expendable. They are crucial to both residents and tourists, so that Pinellas County remains a desirable destination. Even in these difficult fiscal times, we believe that we must continue the work that the county long ago committed to doing. The protection and management of our natural areas is essential for many reasons including: 1. retention of residents, 2. attracting tourists and new residents, and 3. economically providing a healthy environment. We believe, our county parks, preserves, and beaches offer residents immediate benefits: recreational and quality of life. Many live and work here because of our unique ecosystems and our awesome trails, parks and preserves. In this fiscally difficult time, we must resist financial pressure to sell off any of our preserves, parks, or other environmentally important open land. We must continue to provide good stewardship of our lands. If we choose this course, we believe our goal to stabilize our population income base will be protected from further erosion. We believe, if we commit to only act in ways that protect and preserve our county-owned lands, we are then protecting the assets that attract new residents and tourists. New residents will chose to live here, attracted by our preservation policies, knowing they have chosen an area committed to a high quality of life. Also, tourism is a key industry here, and our actions must support it as the very important source of revenue that it is. We believe, that by standing fast and providing professional stewardship and maintenance over our county lands, we are surer that staff with a thorough knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations, are using the highest maintenance standards possible. Incorrectly applied chemicals and nutrients enter into our waterways causing pollution and costly clean-up. It is always more economical to prevent pollution rather than to clean it up. It is crucial that we continue to keep surveillance over our investment. In order to avoid costly degradation, it is most certainly an essential service. Some cost-cutting or revenue-generating suggestions would be helpful, no doubt. We suggest some of the following cost-cutting ideas should be considered: high-management salary cuts, reduction in hours rather than lay-offs, partner with outside contractors, allow volunteers to take on more responsibilities, and to maintain or expand programs in creative ways. Perhaps, more revenue could be generated by charging parking fees at parks or instituting or increasing entrance fees. Thank you again for this opportunity to comment.

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more.”

Sometimes I just yell at the radio/paper/TV that “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more.”  Other times, I write you a letter.  Today I’ve done both.  Here’s why.

 

Would a legislator who has done nothing wrong first resign a 6-figure job at a college, then resign as Speaker of the House, and then resign as legislator?  Could I use a credit card, funded by other people who may or may not be strapped for cash, as my own piggy bank?  Could I, as a Florida resident, endorse oil drilling close to the best tourist beaches in the country, knowing that oil will never bring us the jobs and revenue tourists bring?  If my side controlled 60% of anything, and the other side controlled 40%, unless I’m stupid, wouldn’t I get whatever I want?  If my state and local governments are going broke, shouldn’t I be happy if the federal government came to lend a hand?  If I continue to call other people “Socialist” but continue to receive my Social Security and Medicare, and love both of them, am I not a hypocrite?  If my free membership in a gym with a Medicare Advantage program is more important than a young family having Health insurance at all, and if I say cost is more important than people in the Healthcare debate, what kind of American am I?  What kind of Christian, Jew or Muslim?  If my buddies bailed out the folks who got us into this financial mess, shouldn’t they be held responsible, not the other guys?  If my buddies caused us to go into the financial hole with unfunded wars, prescription medications, and tax cuts, how come all of a sudden I am worried about deficits?

 

There are so many more issues I could raise, but one thing I truly believe is that people get the government they deserve.  (I heard that somewhere.)  So let me answer the questions I raised above:

 

No, he would not have resigned from 3 great jobs.  Would you??  Something is wrong. 

 

No, I do not have the power or the arrogance to steal from others as if I were entitled. 

 

No, tourism revenue far outweighs any oil revenue, and the jobs tourism gives us are numerous. 

 

Yes, I would win if I were not STUPID.  If Healthcare reform had passed in July, all the Democrats would be riding high now instead of worrying and running from a questionable future.  Just as Medicare, which was “Socialism” according to the Republicans of 1964, a true reform with a public option would have become one of the most popular programs ever. 

 

I’m not enamored of Charlie Crist, but he did the right thing in accepting help from the Federal government.  How many more would now be out of work if he had not?  The most telling campaign sign of the TEA partiers was “Keep your government off my Medicare.”  Their ignorance has no limit.  Hopefully everyone knows Medicare is a government program, and if young healthy citizens (not just old sick ones) contributed, it would not be having financial difficulties.  I have a Medicare Advantage health insurance policy.  I would be happy to forego my free gym membership so that a young family without insurance could see a doctor.  I would be happy to pay some more tax to help them rather than forcing them to go to an Emergency room.  And all I have to say about the deficit is that everyone needs to understand where it came from, and not blame those in power now, as it becomes an issue.  The bailout occurred in 2008.

 

Yes, you get the government you deserve.  Hopefully, when the voters are disgusted enough, they will start to understand the issues instead of falling for the spin of the politicians.  My son says the two parties are not the Democrats and the Republicans, they are the Mean party and the Stupid party.  As I grow older, I begin to think he is right, although a friend has re-labeled them as the Evil party, and the Coward party.  This is probably right.

 

Lois Fries, Largo

Member, Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club