I was wondering when the State was going to hand out a blank license plate and a box of crayons.

T. W. Funari, St Petersbur

Subject: Election Chief tough to find

It’s a sad commentary on the future of the election process in our state when the only reasons we see our Hillsborough County

Re: Judge gives Bollea 8-month sentence

Hulk Hogan recognized the most important aspect of his son’s defense: “that Nick is still a 17-year-old child.” Sadly, another child is spending his days and nights in adult jail!

Except for name recognition, I knew little of Circuit Judge Philip Federico, until I listened to his entire response summing up the trial of Nick Bollea.

As you may have heard, each of us will be getting a tax rebate check to stimulate the economy.

If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.

If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.

If we purchase a computer it will go to India.

In reply to: Bill Maxwell’s Op/Ed Piece “Praying is fine, but...”

I will attempt to keep this both short and civil; I enjoy Brother Maxwell’s mind and style, but sometimes the myopia shows through and reply I must.

After nearly six decades of honoring L. Ron Hubbard as Founder and Source of Scientology, Scientologists are finally demoting Hubbard to merely "Founder", to be given an occasional nod, but not much else.

The responsibility of "Source" will now be assumed by David Miscavige, the current leader of the Church of Scientology.

In a time when school budgets are being cut, teachers salaries being frozen, its is inconceivable to me how anyone can continue to beat the drum for school vouchers. That is, send taxpayer money to private and religious schools.

So, I have been racking my brains the past few weeks ever since the whole Barack Obama/Rev. Wright fiasco occured. If you all remember, just a short 6 1/2 years ago, in the days immediately following 9/11, the bloated Rev. Jerry Falwell made some extremely outlandish and offensive comments about the tragedy.

Governor Crist and the state legislature should be ashamed of themselves. As recently as three weeks ago, at a Devil Ray’s game a teacher friend of mine attended, Governor Crist was still promising to “hold education harmless”. Rather, funding for education in the state of Florida is being reduced on a scale never seen before.

Thank goodness the Snowbirds have put their pink flamingos and plastic alligators in the attic and have gone north. Hopefully, they will purchase some auto turn signals while up there. Perhaps they will also attend a charm school and get rid of their overbearing attitudes while gone. They’re always reminding me of how they contribute to the economy while here. I would

Subject: A fuss over book for kids, May 3

Subject: Union blasts pay cut idea

Here’s an idea that might sound just as foolish as the proposal by Pinellas school officials to cut teachers wages. Eliminate principals, division heads, deans and all other non-teaching positions.

I have perused the recommendations from the Mayor and the development staff and it definitely seems like an exciting and financially beneficial undertaking. However if you also look at it from the standpoint of the new waterfront stadium and the costs associated with it the picture is not so rosy.

On page 8A of Thursday, May 01, 2008 St. Petersburg Times was a short article, where White House Press secretary Dana Perino is quoted as saying, “And we have certainly paid a price for not being more specific on that [‘Mission Accomplished’] banner.”

What kind of mentality would evoke the ludicrous idea of spoiling our waterfront with any kind of an edifice, a sports stadium being the current proposal? And why would any intelligent persons support the building of a stadium ANYWHERE in St Petersburg for a team that already has a stadium in St Petersburg and has withdrawn its spring training from our city?

I have just done the Math. I drive about 60 miles a week.
In 2 weeks I drive about 120 miles. I get 24 miles per gal when driving in the city. That amounts to 5 gals of gas I use in that period of time.
Governor Crist has come out with a great plan to eliminate the State Gas Tax for 2 weeks. The State gas Tax is $.10 a gal. That means I will be saving a grand total of $.50.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker recommended the city negotiate with two of the three developers bidding to purchase Tropicana Field. Why not all three?

Be afraid! Be scared! No, the boogie man isn’t going to get you but something is: either global warming, terrorists, gangs, the next hurricane season, avian flu, plastic bottles, your cell phone, etc. That’s what we are overdosed with these days. What happened to the bird flu, the pandemic that we were supposed to fear so much?

How is this for an idea? The city still owes 69.6 million on the Trop. The Rays say about 300 million will come from the sale and redevelopment of the Trop site. Why not sell the debt and the old Trop site to the Rays and let them build their own stadium on the property called Toytown?

guy morgan, St. Petersburg,

Pinellas County Schools are proposing a 2% pay cut for all employees, closing 7 to 10 schools, and a loss of 147 jobs to balance their budget.

I have watched and read very carefully the Ray’s proposal to the city to renovate Al Lang field into a Major League Baseball park.

The presentation to the City Council was very broad and in depth to the point of being very confusing on certain issues.

Teachers should be held to a high standard because children are our legacy and our most precious possessions. Our investment in their futures is dearer than silver or gold. Who wouldn’t wish to know the background of those responsible for influencing our children’s most formative years?

Fresh evidence that YOU ARE GETTING SCREWED. Gasoline speculation since the REMOVAL by the Republican Congress of federal regulations in 2000 has caused the $120 per barrel of crude oil.

While I have no qualm with the Nielsen Co. "restructuring" itself to be more competitive in the market place. I do have a problem with "restructuring" on the taxpayers dime.

I am a life long lover of animals, specially baby animals.
I was born and raised on a farm. I feel Mr Hill did the most humane thing for the baby raccoon.

Let me get right to the point. Presently we have much development and planned activities going on in the downtown waterfront area:

1. A new four year extension with the Grand prix
2. The Dali museum construction
3. Expansion of Progress Center activities at the Mahaffey
4. Change in venue for the Saturday morning market

Maybe I am becoming cynical, but I seriously question a conflict of interest with Wilcox being offered a job with Scholastic after pushing their reading program for our public schools. Just like the previous Superintendent leaving our county after implementing the impossible “choice” program (at least he gave a notice), Wilcox chooses to leave and dump the whole new program on someone new.

Subject: Jurors in Durango slaying

As Stephen Holmes’ brother-in-law, I read with great interest your article in the Local & State section on Saturday, 4/19 concerning the jury recommendation that Wilson Saintil be put to death for murdering Stephen.

Do not let the family’s compassion for what Saintil’s family is now enduring cloud the fact that justice must be served.