Copyright 2002 The Tribune Co. Publishes The Tampa Tribune
The Tampa Tribune
May 17, 2002, Friday, FINAL EDITION
SECTION: NATION/WORLD, Pg. 16
LENGTH: 1212 words
HEADLINE:
LETTERS
BODY:
Abuse Of Law
Regarding "Submerged-Land Owner Making Waves" (Nation/
World, May
15):
How could a state that has so much water frontage have such a
stupid law that allows the purchase of submerged land? Where are all of the
government entities - state, county, city, etc. - that should have seen this
abuse long ago?
Obviously, Connolly is nothing more than a classic bunco
artist who has the law on his side. He uses his position to purchase these
submerged properties and then proceeds to get people who have frontage to pay
some outrageous price for the use of that frontage. He ought to be jailed for
what he is doing. I have a suggestion for those people who are caught up in this
mess: Contact your local government officials, state representatives and
senators and ask for a needed change in the law. I also suggest that they band
together, form an association with legal representation and collectively charge
Connolly the costs of keeping "his" property up to standards, including cutting
the grass, keeping the shoreline clean of debris and treating for algae growth.
Bill this collective amount against any extortion he may request and then do
your best to butt him out.
It's horrible to think that this kind of
stupidity exists in the law.
PAUL LUKACS
Seminole
Hurting
Innocent People
Don Connolly, the real estate speculator who is "making
waves" by trying to make a windfall profit from homeowners who are victims of
Pinellas County's loopholes, is a sorry example of a businessman.
If
Connolly has the kind of money it takes to own 55 properties in Pinellas County
alone, he should be able to find a reputable way to receive a fair return on his
investments.
My guess is that Connolly is someone who enjoys being
disliked because he dislikes himself. He can't think too much of himself or his
ability to make money in business when he has to resort to hurting innocent
people to increase his wealth. Shame on him.
RICHARD BEHRENDT
Seminole
Advice For Homeowners
It is clear Don Connolly doesn't legally
own the land under Boca Ciega Bay because it is a navigable waterway and thus it
is the property of the U.S. government - not Pinellas County, not the state of
Florida and certainly not Don Connolly. The land under the lake at Tarpon Woods
is an entirely different matter, but the owners of the houses adjacent to the
lake have several legal alternatives to pursue. The homeowners could sue the
Pinellas County tax collector's office, the developer, the real estate agent or
Connolly.
Another option is to place a lien on the property Connolly
purchased for past maintenance fees, including the fees that the homeowners paid
to have the lake cleaned.
GEORGE MICHAEL KLAES
Tarpon Springs
Consider Moratorium
It was with a deep sense of hope that I read
the article "Maryland Governor Halts Executions" (Nation/World, May 10) about
the courageous decision of Gov. Parris Glendening to implement an immediate
moratorium on the death penalty in his state.
With Florida leading the
nation in the shameful statistic of having released more innocent people from
death row - 24 since 1972 - it is time for Gov. Jeb Bush to seriously consider
taking a similar position of courage and leadership.
Recently released
independent reports clearly show serious flaws in the application of Florida's
death penalty, and I strongly suggest that Bush not ignore these vital facts. I
join the many thousands of Floridians calling for an unbiased and independent
study panel to review our problematic system.
PATRICK GORAGELY
Largo
The writer is death penalty coordinator of Amnesty International USA, Tampa
Chapter #240.
Closing A Loophole
Regarding
"Abortion Views And Bankruptcy Laws" (Our
Opinion, May 7):
While abortion politics may be driving
the debate about the Schumer-Hatch amendment to
bankruptcy-reform legislation, it is obscuring the real goal of
the amendment: to close a loophole through which antichoice extremists have
abused bankruptcy laws to escape responsibility for their illegal actions.
This amendment absolutely would not, as has been asserted in your
editorial, penalize those engaged in peaceful protest. Recognizing this fact,
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, an avowed opponent of abortion rights, has signed on
to the amendment as co-sponsor. If Hatch can put aside his views on abortion to
ensure that extremists are held accountable for their crimes, Rep. Henry Hyde,
R-Ill., should be able to do the same.
Regardless of one's position on
abortion, the Schumer-Hatch amendment should move forward to protect patients
and reproductive health care providers from violence by antichoice extremists
and prevent additional abuses of the bankruptcy code.
VICKI
SAPORTA
Washington, D.C.
The writer is president and CEO of the National
Abortion Federation.
Hughes' Contributions
The
article "Businessman Defends Campaign Contributions" (Metro, April 28) regarding
campaign contributions by Ralph Hughes should serve as a wake-up call to all
concerned citizens in our community. It appears Hughes is trying to
single-handedly control the makeup of the Hillborough County Board of County
Commissioners.
While his chosen candidates claim that his motives are
pure and his money given without strings attached, one need look no further than
the board land- use meeting on April 23. There was a rezoning request from one
of Hughes' corporations, FECP Corp. As debate progressed on the expansion
request of this nonconforming use, it became very obvious as to the influence of
Hughes. The three incumbents he is supporting argued vehemently in favor of his
requested expansion. The other commissioners rightly questioned the impact of
this heavy industrial operation on the surrounding residences, traffic concerns
and pollution considerations. It certainly gives the appearance that these
commissioners are bought and paid for. Is this vote just a coincidence?
Our community deserves better. Elected officials should hear the
concerns of all, not be blinded by the money of one.
WILL CRAIG
Tampa
The writer is a candidate for Hillsborough County Commission, District 2.
Insurance Profits
Regarding "Insurers Put Squeeze On Homeowners"
(Nation/World, May 15):
Let me get this straight. I've owned my home for
22 years, averaging $1,000 per year for homeowners insurance.
During that time I made three claims totaling $6,000. I've paid
over $22,000 in premiums, and the insurance company made
$16,000.
I've been driving for 40 years at roughly
$500 a year for car insurance, so I've paid
$20,000 to my auto insurance company. Through the years, one
claim was made in the amount of $5,000. The insurance company
made $15,000.
The companies received
$42,000 in payments from me, plus the money they made from
investing the money, and only paid out $11,000 - and they are
complaining! They want to raise rates and punish people who made only a few
claims. I thought that was the reason we have insurance - for emergencies.
I'd put the money in the bank, but the law states that we must have auto
insurance. Banks insist that we have homeowners insurance. Something is very
wrong here.
SUE SLINGBAUM
Tampa
NOTES: LETTERS
LOAD-DATE: May 18, 2002 
