Pine Avenue would not be as safe

According to the current issue of the Sun, 55 percent of the respondents think backing out of parking spaces is safe. This 55 percent must consist of every realtor and developer on Anna Maria Island! 

Backing out of a parking place is never safe. There are several instances of parents running over their own children while backing out of a garage or driveway.

Let me drive this point home. Backing into a parking space is even more “unsafe.”

Backing into, or pulling out of, a parallel parking spot is unsafe. Anywhere a driver has a “blind spot” is unsafe. This is why automobiles have rear and side view mirrors, back up lights and alarms, and, recently, rear view television.

This brings up the probability of an accident or injury resulting from pulling out into traffic from any form of parking. As long as there are few pedestrians, bicycles, other vehicles, and parked cars, the probability is low. However, traffic will increase dramatically as development and retail establishments multiply along Gulf, Marina, and Pine. There’s only three ways off Anna Maria Island and only one from Anna Maria City.

As a result, the probability of accidents and injuries will increase geometrically. This is the price of progress and all the residents of Anna Maria Island are for progress. Aren’t we?

Dr. Jack Wilhelm
Holmes Beach

It was the city planner's mistake

I take exception to your headline, “Staff mistake leads to continuance of site plan”.  The headline should have read, City planner mistake leads...

The city planner is a paid consultant.  The city staff consists of three highly qualified city hall employees, two members of public works, the building department’s receptionists, and the part-time code enforcement officer. I do not think derogatory headlines concerning the city staff are appropriate, as none of the above mentioned staff contributed to the mistakes of the site plan.

Charles Daniels
Anna Maria

Thanks for support and donations

I would like to sincerely thank all of the Islanders and my church community for all your support, love donations and all who received a great cut for a good cause “Hair for Haiti”, plus donated clothing. Together we all can help make a difference! A huge thank you to Nancy Tocco, Jackie Fortuner, Patti Drake, Judy Johnson, Bob Horton, Wayne Arnold and Denise Lehocki of Body and Mind Massage, and Janet and Joe Clark. It is true that many hands make light work!  And I appreciate all of you.

To clarify the misprint in The Sun Jan. 27 edition on page 10, the amount that was raised was $1,250 not $2000,00.
“There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.” Albert Schweitzer”
My sincerest gratitude and blessings.

Lorie Hagele
Cuts & Color 2 Dye 4
Holmes Beach

Got something you need to get off your chest? Want to speak your mind about the latest shenanigans going on down at city hall? If so, we want to hear from you. Drop us a line via regular mail at The Island Sun, P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Or you can post it on our comments page or just email us at news@amisun.com. Letters should be 300 words or less and signed with your name and city of residence. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. Letters may be edited for length and content.