Letters to the Editors

Project helps preserve largest trees

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 13, 2001

As the founder of the Champion Tree Project, which is a partner with the Florida Botanical Gardens, I am writing in response to your Feb. 22 article, Penny-fed, Pinellas' garden grew, to assure your readers that their tax money and sweat equity have not been wasted.

The Champion Tree Project has much in common with the Florida Botanical Gardens. Both organizations are preserving an endangered natural heritage for future generations. Champion trees are the largest specimens of their species and, in many cases, are the only remaining remnant of the original old-growth forest that once covered our country. The Champion Tree Project is preserving the genetics of these giants for future study by preserving, propagating and planting a living legacy of our champion trees across the country.

The Florida Botanical Gardens is preserving one of the largest remaining undeveloped natural areas in Pinellas County, the most densely urbanized county in Florida -- a state that has already cut down 99.8 percent of its original old-growth forest to make way for agriculture and development.

The Florida Botanical Gardens and the Champion Tree Project have become partners in a historic attempt to create the first living library of champion trees in Florida. Florida has more champion trees than any other state in the country, and the Florida Botanical Gardens lies strategically between subtropical and temperate climate zones, which allows approximately 100 native species to thrive, making this site a virtual treasure trove of botanical assets. Our goal is to help make your garden a world-class facility that will appeal to residents and visitors alike. We know that the Florida Botanical Gardens can assist Pinellas County in achieving environmental sustainability.

The question that your paper rightly asks is: How do we make the gardens economically sustainable? The answer is to use the significant, existing public investment in the project as seed money to attract additional funds to finish the work that needs to be done. The Champion Tree Project is doing this by promoting sponsorship of champion tree genetic clones, called champ trees, to individuals and corporations that come forward to help underwrite the costs of developing the trees and the Florida Botanical Gardens Champion Tree Living Library.
-- David Milarch, founder, Champion Tree Project International, Copemish, Michigan

Botanical gardens will grow on visitors

Re: Penny-fed, Pinellas' garden grew, Feb. 22.

The certainty of the sun coming up and setting each day is just as inevitable as cost overruns on any project, private or public. Both examples are facts of life. The first is very pleasant and reassuring; the second is not pleasant, but it is not a news story any more. It's old news -- disturbingly so, but old. The botanical gardens are not the culprit, nor are all those who believed in the project.

It seems, by the implication of your story, that your reporters feel as though the new Botanical Gardens and Gulf Coast Museum of Art must be a boondoggle. That would be only your opinion. Over the years, any number of true boondoggles come to mind.

I truly hope your readers will not let your lack of enthusiasm deter them from a visit to this oasis in the middle of the surrounding sprawling growth of cement. This magical garden and Pinewood Park are for all to enjoy. Long may it grow.
-- Robert M. Abben, Largo

Story didn't tell full story of gardens

Re: Penny-fed, Pinellas' garden grew, Feb. 22.

I was disturbed by the general intent of this article. The placement on page 1 of the newspaper was good. The apparent reason for that placement, in my opinion, was bad.

There was no mention in the article about where some of the conflicting information originated. It is important to me, because I was one who was interviewed by one of the reporters listed. The telephone interview lasted more than 15 minutes. My representation of the history and accomplishments of the gardens was obviously not in keeping with the intentions of the reporter.

Certainly there is some criticism due in many areas, depending on one's viewpoint. But is it fair to center in, via a front-page story, on one of Pinellas County's premier accomplishments that is being so well-accepted by the public?

The many years of dedicated work and enthusiastic accomplishment by some of our finest leaders should not be taken so lightly by the press. It is a disservice to their effort and a misservice to the reading public.
-- Jack Siebenthaler, Clearwater

Cultural park offers asset for Pinellas

I would like to respond to Penny-fed, Pinellas' garden grew, the story in the Feb. 22 St. Petersburg Times, to show my support for the Penny for Pinellas money being spent on Pinewood Cultural Park. It is a real asset to the arts and cultural projects in Pinellas County.

I would vote for the tax again, as I think the new parks, the Pinellas Trail, the bridges and roads are worth the penny tax. I am sure costs rise, but it seems to me that our money has been spent for lasting and beautiful attractions rather than so many athletic stadiums that need to be replaced every five to 10 years.

Go and visit the gardens; sit, relax and enjoy the beauty of the flowers and wildlife, remembering that it only cost you your time.
-- Lillian M. Wolfinger, Seminole

Residents should oppose proposed zone change

Re: As development closes in, tenants may lose campsites, Feb. 25 story.

On Monday every resident of Pinellas County should pack the Seminole City Hall in a public outcry against any zone changes at this environmentally sensitive area. Not only do we not have enough water for the needs of this county, but we continue to cover every inch of ground with concrete and pavement so the rain we do get has no chance of soaking into the ground.

Seminole keeps saying that it wants to give people a sense of community. Well, who needs this kind of community?

If you can't attend the meeting on Monday, send an e-mail or write a letter, but don't sit back and do nothing. If Seminole really wants to do a service for the community, it could buy this property and provide more park area for the Pinellas County park across the street.
-- Dorothy Book, unincorporated Pinellas

Firefighter's actions show poor common sense

Re: Officials: Firefighter's prank proves expensive, March 8 story.

Firefighter James Sowinski, what were you thinking? My 5-year-old would not have pulled such a stupid stunt.

You need to make some major apologies, not only to your fellow firefighters, but also to the residents of Dunedin, which the Virginia station protects. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that any response to emergencies that came up during your stunt would have been delayed by your blatant loss of common sense.
-- Tami Ehmig, Dunedin

Tarpon Springs leaders should look to the past

Re: Tarpon Springs delays vote on tighter design guide, Feb. 22, concerning the preservation of the cultural district of the Sponge Docks area.

I am appalled to think what the city commissioners are talking about. The immediate waterfront district is now a Disney World theme park instead of being restored to its grandeur of a sponge-fishing village.

The city commissioners should have done an extensive feasibility study on other cities such as Salem and Gloucester, Mass., to name two whaling towns of the past. The city commissioners of Tarpon Springs should focus their attention and energy on the rest of Tarpon Springs, outside this cultural district perimeter. Slow down the explosive, uncontrolled growth.

There is nothing wrong with the natural beauty of seeing stone-crab traps stacked high on crabbers' property or back yards, and sponges hanging out to dry. The city wants to clean this up. This is indeed appalling!

The damage being done within the theme park of the Sponge Docks has not improved conditions. The sidewalks were widened and now merchants are putting out more merchandise, blocking the walking area for the public. Cars and trucks stop to unload at any hour instead of designated hours, causing traffic congestion. So what has improved?

We'll always remember the Sponge Docks as they were in their heyday -- a beautiful, easy-going, sponge-fishing village -- the way the area should have been restored!
-- John Georgiou, Tarpon Springs

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