Dear Editor,
I totally agree with the Board allowing only residents of the Community entry to the theater meeting. Those living outside the community should have no voice/vote in matters concerning the Sun City Center Community. I am offended by Lew Resseguie’s Comment, “ The ‘nos’ are always louder than from those who are positive thinkers.” What makes his position right and superior. Again non community members should have no voice in the vote for the theater as it is community funds that support it. The capital fund fees are Sun City Center funds and not the neighbors.
John Polovoy
Sun City Center
Dear Editor,
As I’m sure you’re aware, there is going to be a referendum to construct a new theater in SCC at an estimated cost of $3.5 million.
First, let me state that I have been to the current (Rollins) theater for both movies and plays and, while it may need some refurbishing, using that as an excuse for building an entirely new structure dedicated for this purpose is questionable.
Really! Up to $3.5 Million for a building that would be used, for its main purpose, around 24 to 30 afternoons for movies and +/- the same amount of evenings for live performances. That to me is beyond wasteful, and smacks of someone wanting their name on a building. Further, it is my understanding that most of the performers aren’t even SCC residents. What is their (as well as other outside group(s) who will benefit from this expenditure) contribution to this effort? If a new theater is so important to them, why don’t their communities pass bond issue(s) to pay for it!
Additionally, why is no consideration being given to making additions or alterations to the South Campus building at, more than likely, considerably less cost to accommodate the thespians’ desires to have a better venue? At the last General Meeting (and as your article pointed out) there is significant demand for parking, handicap accessibility and increased capacity. All of this is covered by using the South Campus Building. The South Campus facility cannot be too bad an alternative since is already used for entertainment/performances.
I am sure that the next argument, would be scheduling. Well, that is the same challenge all the other clubs and organizations that don’t get their own space experience. We cannot spend money on a building that would not be used but a total of one month out of every year, for its primary purpose.
If and when our live theater outgrows the Community Hall, as a venue, then maybe we can have a discussion on a “Metropolitan Opera House”.
Lastly, Mr. Collett should recuse himself, from any discussions or at the very least abstain from any votes due to a conflict of interest.
J.M.Votava
Sun City Center
Dear Editor;
The Emergency Squad would like to respond to the issues addressed in Dr. Tuthill’s letter of June 12.
As explained in the meeting with Chief Floto and former Chief Schramm, the Squad has offered CPR classes to the community for many years. This class is called the Heartsaver class. It includes rescue breathing and how to use the AED, the Automated External Defibrillator. Rescue breathing with compressions and the AED are far more effective in cardiac arrest situations. Hands-only CPR, also called bystander CPR, is not recommended for unresponsive children and infants, victims of trauma, drowning, acute respiratory distress, airway obstruction or apnea, such as associated with drug overdoses. Also, hands-only CPR is not effective when doing CPR for long periods.
The community has invested a great deal of money to purchase AED’s throughout both King’s Point and Sun City Center. Many, if not all of our churches have also purchased AED’s for their parishioners. Staff at the Community Association and at King’s Point, as well as church ushers and many club members have taken the Heartsaver CPR class and know how to use the AED due to that training. Hands-only CPR does not offer that training.
Currently, many of our AHA certified instructors are snowbirds and are gone for the summer. Those that remain are performing multiple jobs on the Squad, in addition to teaching CPR. Taking on the enormous task you have suggested, with our limited volunteer availability when we already offer a better alternative, would be unessential.
We are in the process of forming our next Heartsaver class. The cost is $20, all of which is used for books and training materials. We invite all who are interested to come by the Squad and sign up.
For those who may wish to view it, a one minute demonstration video of hands-only Bystander CPR can be viewed online at heart.org/handsonlycpr.
While we are always reluctant to turn down funds, the Squad strongly believes that if we are going to offer CPR training, it should include rescue breathing and the use of the AED.
The Squad welcomes constructive ideas and conversations on how to better serve the community. Our door is always open.
Robin Watt
Asst. Chief, Communications