Letters to the Editor: 08.03.11

+ I did not move here to live with other people’s pets
Dear Editor:
Dogs and people’s pets seem to be in the news lately, and I, as an owner at Windward Bay, would like to state my view. We went from a pet-free environment to pet-friendly, on the vote of seven people. One-hundred fifty-one units went to pet-friendly, and our home became less friendly for us. The majority of owners heard about it after the fact. We bought, and many of our friends here bought, because of the no-pet rule. Some members of the ad-hoc rules committee were not allowed to speak at the board meeting and most people just accepted that it had already happened.

My wife and I grew up with dogs in the family and other pets also. Our kids have or had pets and the grandkids do. Now in our life, I, for one, do not want to live with other people’s pets. In the seven years we have been here in a pet-free complex, I have, when running, stepped in dog dropping twice. We did not buy on the south end of the island because the units we preferred had dogs. The elevators smelled, and the Realtor said, “Oh, somebody’s pet had a little accident.” Five million people every year are bit by dogs that don’t bite; my wife has been bit twice by someone else’s dog that “doesn’t bite.”

The minorities in our country are vocal and get what they want because the majority is silent. The majority of people will buy medication for their “pet dander” allergies and scrape their shoes, silently. For me? No dogs! I don’t think that is too much to ask. 
Jim Burmeister
Longboat Key

+ Trial run for dogs on beach, Publix rebuild are great ideas
Dear Editor:
I think both giving dogs on the beach a trial run and the rebuild of Publix are wonderful ideas. Someone who has lived on Longboat Key for more than 38 years told me that dogs were never allowed on the beach. However, times have changed in regard to furry animals, we are more concerned about using “pooper scoopers” now. I don’t believe we would have issues with that today. Please, let’s try it. Incidentally, I don’t have a dog and never have due to my asthma. But, I do have several friends who do, and they would love the right to use the beach with them.

As for the new store, I am enthused about it. I can adjust to traveling to Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive, if I have to. However, can’t Publix make some accommodations for us Longboaters to get our groceries during the construction? I will be surprised if Publix doesn’t expect us to ask for that consideration. It’s up to you, dear commissioners!
Jack Eagleton
Longboat Key

+ It’s incorrect to say majority supports Key Club project
Dear Editor:
Frequent statements by various proponents of the Key Club’s so-called “revitalization” and in particular that by Mr. Welly in the July 21 issue of the Longboat Observer, indicate that the “vast majority” of residents support the Key Club expansion. This is pure hyperbole! No referendum has been done, so how would he, or anyone else know? The writers must believe that if an unsupported statement is made often enough, people will begin to believe it is true. Are we that stupid?
M. Barry
Longboat Key