Golfers deserve more than others?The mayor and City Council have turned a deaf ear to the citizens of Clearwater. They say they have to raise the tax millage rate for the city and close several buildings, including the Morningside Recreation Center. They say the city doesn't have the $70,000 to maintain it. They voted to close and demolish it. They spent $2.1 million to buy the Clearwater Country Club clubhouse instead of letting a private firm take it over. I wonder how much it now costs the taxpayers of Clearwater to maintain the clubhouse for the benefit of a few golfers? The City Council also spent another $2.3 million for the purchase of the Royalty Theatre so some residents wouldn't have to drive across town to attend functions at Ruth Eckerd Hall. It seems Clearwater city government is catering to a select few citizens instead of spending $70,000 to maintain a recreational facility used by citizens of all age groups -not to mention that the Morningside Recreation Center is used as a polling place for all our elections. Our city government seems to forget that citizens are voting taxpayers and taxpayers want more for their tax dollars than golf and theatre performances. - Jim Coraggio, Clearwater
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