Letters to the Editor

+ Cell phone coverage is a matter of life or death
Dear Editor:
I live on the north end of Longboat Key. I have been there for the past 10 years. I am amazed that some in our community are concerned about a tower to improve the cell phone coverage in our wonderful community.

The cell coverage is terrible — unreliable at best and horrible at worst. In our world of technology today, cell phones are our main mode of telephonic communication. It is absurd to think that calling a location (land line) is preferred to calling a person. The majority of Longboat Key residents and visitors are senior citizens who depend on the use of cell phones as the main form of communication.

The following is an example of the need for improved cell-phone coverage:My neighbor was rushed to the hospital a couple of weeks ago. His caretaker called our other neighbor, Mary, using her cell phone. While on the cell phone, Mary rushed to the neighbor’s condo, was told how to get into the condo and then where to find patient advocacy forms that they needed immediately at the hospital. During this stressful time the call was dropped several times. Let me say that again: The call was dropped several times as this life-and-death situation played out.

Unfortunately, he did end up dying. The need for communication in this situation could have not been properly served with an outdated landline. As a matter of fact, third world countries have better cell phone coverage than the north end of Longboat Key.

My mom also lives on Longboat Key. She lives in fear that her cell phone will not work in the emergency situation, such as described. She carries her cell phone at all times in a handy holder that is easily attached to her clothes or goes around her neck. She worries that if she should fall, she will not be able to reach the landline in her home. If her cell phone does not work, which is a likely situation, she could remain injured in a state in which she could not physically move and not be able to communicate her needs and perish on the floor of her home while trying to make an emergency call on her perfectly good cell phone — her only link to save her life having been compromised by people who are worried about the looks of a tower on the island.

I appeal to all readers to please stop thinking this is 1950 and move forward with the correct communication tools to promote safety. We are in dire need of a tower for reliable cell phone coverage on the north end. This is not a matter of which service you have or the age of your phone. This is a matter of life or death.
Beth Gotthelf
Longboat

+ Town should mediate in Jim Armstrong case
Dear Editor:
I have been following the Armstrong vs. the town of Longboat Key in the Longboat Observer. As I understand the situation, Judge Roberts dismissed the case against Armstrong. Now, a lawyer other than the town’s attorney, acting as special counsel, has re-filed a lawsuit against Armstrong.

My thought on this situation is why isn’t a mediator arranged for by the town to resolve this situation and save both Armstrong and the town money? Everyone has heard of the old saying: “You can’t beat city hall.” This saying is true, primarily due to the cost of litigation by the person who attempts to right a possible wrong against them.

I think the town should take the high road in this matter and attempt to help solve the problem rather than re-file a lawsuit that was ruled against them once.
William Tow
Longboat Key

+ Christmas bonus with tax dollars is wrong
Dear  Commissioners: 
I disagree with your decision to give $1,000 to each employee. During these hard economic times you decide to use our tax dollars for a $175,000 stocking  stuffer?

Shame on you!

If you want to give away $1,000, then use your own money, not mine. I’ll donate to the charity of my choice, not yours! Perhaps you might think about a 10% cut in staff who work on this island. That would show those not cut that they should work harder.

Please consider your fiduciary responsibility to us taxpayers and be prudent with our tax dollars. Someone once said: “Too much government!”

Thank you for perhaps rethinking your hasty decision.
W. K.  Baumann
Longboat

+ Beer Can Island could be option for cell tower
Dear Editor:
Although I’m against cell towers, if it should come to pass, how about Beer Can Island?
I don’t think that location would impact anyone’s view.
Bert Spiegel
Longboat Key

+ Thank you to Longboat Key police and Public Works staff
Dear Editor:
On Nov. 28 between 5 and 6 p.m. water started bubbling up out of Bogey Lane at the intersection of Chipping Lane. Longboat Key police arrived quickly and directed traffic around the mystery spring in the black-top street.

Thanks to our Longboat Key Public Works staff, a broken 6-inch iron water pipe was dug up, the proper repair clamp was delivered, the leak was repaired, and all of the neighborhood water service was restored by 10 p.m. We were without water for only a short time.

We who live on Longboat Key are so fortunate to have a Public Works staff who are trained, courteous and available 24/7 to care us.

Thank you, Longboat Key police and utility workers for your good work!
David Schar
Longboat Key

+ University of Florida will never schedule OSU
Dear Editor:
I was amused by your column about Urban Meyer becoming the coach of Ohio State. Your speculation that a real rivalry might be born if UF and OSU scheduled each other annually was quite humorous. Any football fan knows that the Gators are unlikely to agree to that arrangement. When was the last time the UF football team played a regular-season, non-conference game outside the state? I asked this question to a local sportswriter (and UF alum), and he thought it was 20 years ago when they went to Syracuse and lost. They don’t want to make that mistake again. It is better for them to bring cupcakes to Gainesville.
Jim Driscoll
Sarasota