Readers have their say: Top 10 quotes of the week

As we near the end of the second week of our new registration system, I'd like to welcome more than 2,100 readers to tampabay.com's community. Thanks to everyone who took the time to register and for being active members of the site.

A number of tampabay.com stories sparked lively discussions this week: a letter from Gov. Crist, a police shooting in Indian Shores and Floridians' support of gulf oil drilling, to name a few hot topics. Here is a look at 10 memorable quotes from tampabay.com readers this week:

Gov. Crist: Working every day for Florida

"Honestly now, would anyone even notice if the 'Governor' took all 52 weeks a year off?" Habilis wrote. 

Ripley's said: "Believe it or not, he did not even write this essay. One of his staffers did; he was too busy at the George Hamilton tanning salon."

With big arts plan stalled, attention turns to Beach Drive for Chihuly gallery

 "To call Chihuly's work incredible is an understatement; most of his pieces are mind-blowing. Like the Dali Museum, Chihuly's presence will indeed be a treat for St.Petersburg." ~ Mattgordonm.

"The Beach drive idea is better than Central Ave. Or how about ChihulyWalk?" asked Canyonecho.

Wife: Man killed in Indian Shores police shootout had been depressed for days

"What's sad is his wife is probably going to blame herself. The situation is sad. He was sick & needed help." ~ LadyBug1969.

Walterschick wrote: "Baker Acts are a Band-Aid, that's it. Out in 24 hours if you say what they want to hear. Cold hard truth."

What they're saying on tampabay.com: 10 quotables of the week

After just a few days of our new commenting system on tampabay.com stories, I'd like to welcome and thank our nearly 1,000 new members.

The registration process seemed to have gone smoothly for most of you. If you are experiencing problems, please e-mail us with specific issues you are having, and we'll help you resolve the problem. 

Some lively discussions took place on stories this week; here are 10 comments that caught our eye.

Sanitation worker killed when car crashes into garbage truck:

Richlew wrote: "I worked for waste management back in the late 80's this type of accident was the crews worst fears."

Wasteworker wrote: "As the wife of a wasteworker this hits home. It could have been my husband. The kids and I pray for him every morning to be safe each day. People do not realize the danger they put other people in when they get in a hurry on the road. Can we just slow down a bit, whatever we are in a hurry for will be there if we arrive five minutes later than we planned. Our prayers go out to the family." 

Florida approves 14.6% hike to Universal Property's homeowners insurance rate

Ace: "NICE....kick 'em when their down. That's the way to build customer loyalty."

VStPete wrote:"Crist, you did a bang-up job getting our insurance under control... sigh."

Birddog asked: "Why is California home insurance LESS than Florida ? They have: Mudslides, earthquakes, wind, rain, etc., but they pay LESS than we do."

Quotable: What's wrong with sideburns?

David Weber, a Tampabay.com reader and Bulls Pit blogger, offers an amusing response to a Times report on a Pita Pit owner's outrage over a chair being stolen from his South Tampa restaurant. The Pita Pit owner produced a YouTube video showing security footage of the alleged thief.

From the story: "The pita folks saw you on their security video. They put it on YouTube. They don’t know your name but say you’re a regular.

"I'm the idiot!" reads a note on the video, pointing to you. (Nice sideburns, by the way.)"

Weber's response posted in the blog post's comments wins Let's Talk's Quotable honor of the week:

"First off, I had sideburns for a long time. They're cool. Deal with it.

"Second, I don't know the crook, but the cashier looks like a guy I had class with.

"Third, I don't think they make things in Idaho outside of potatoes and KKK members (KKK HQ is there).

"Fourth, when you're drunk, sometimes you need a seat. Why look around for a semi-clean curb or random car when you can have a portable chair? It seems to me that he was acting in the interest of efficiency. They should find this guy and put him in charge of GM!"

Read the story, watch the video, then answer the question: Are sideburns cool?

Zoo president resigns: Readers sound off

All of the news related to Lowry Park Zoo President Lex Salisbury in the past 24 hours has sparked lots of chatter with tampabay.com readers. A number of breaking news stories invovled Salisbury yesterday:

• He stepped down as president of the zoo.

• Salisbury's wife was cited for animal cruelty after leaving 2 dogs in the car

• The missing monkeys that started the zoo investigation were found

• Columnist Daniel Ruth calls it 'Lex's menagerie of malfeasance

What do readers have to say? Here's a sampling:

"Lex Salisbury's resignation is the beginning of restoring trust within our community's zoo. The second step would be to hold all those zoo executives who assisted Mr. Salisbury in his animal and human "dealings" accountable for their actions," Jeff Kremer of Tampa's Zoo Advocates wrote on It's Your Times.

"The man should be put in a cage, the big cage on Orient Road. We would not be so lucky to only lose our jobs if found stealing as he has done," Debbie says.

Minnie wrote about the animal cruelty charge: "Just one more dreary, disgusting, revolting, ironic, descriptive detail in the saga of a couple who thinks they're above the law."

Have your say on It's Your Times.

Today's quotable: a plea for Linda Bollea

Thomas C. Rizzo, Jr., Largo writes a tongue-in-cheek (we hope) plea for Linda Bollea on It's Your Times.

How can any of us have a happy holiday season with the thought of Linda Bollea's bank balance dipping below $200,000 lingering in our minds, he asks.

"I urge everyone to take the money they earmarked for the less fortunate -- like the homeless, ailing elders, and orphaned children -- and donate it instead to Linda so she can enjoy the luxurious Christmas she has earned and so richly deserves."

Can you spare a dime? Read Rizzo's letter.

Girl on boys basketball team: Readers take sides

Tampabay.com readers have lots to say about Aliyah Farley, the 13-year-old girl who joined the boys JV basketball team at Westside Christian School.

School officials support her playing on the boys' team. But Rick Preslicka, the head of the Suncoast Christian Conference, declared Westside's recent victory a forfeit because Aliyah played with the boys. The conference's board will vote on the issue Wednesday night (Dec. 10).

The case has roused strong emotions at Westside -- where the administrator and athletic director are women  -- and on tampabay.com.

"If she's good, what's the problem? Are the boys intimidated?" tampabay.com reader Butch asks.

David says: "In the FHSAA, a girl is allowed to play football, so why the ostrich head in the sand for this situation? Let's wake up to the modern age of equality you doofs."

CC says: "Someone needs to let him know the 1950's are over."

But all readers aren't cheering on Aliyah:

A mom writes: "I have a son who plays in this (conference). My son has stated that he does not want to play against her due to the close contact. He says it goes against what he believes as a Christian man."

"Anyone ever met Rick?" asks Robb. "I have. Great guy. Not a pig. Just a guy, doing right, and gettin' heck for it. As usual, eh?"

Your take?

New taxes for schools? Readers have other ideas

If it would prevent more budget cuts to Florida schools, would you pay a dime more for a frosty brew down at Four Green Fields? How about a quarter more for that pack of smokes? How about 1 percent more for just about everything else you buy?

As Florida's revenue continues to shrink by the billions, jittery school leaders are talking taxes.

" 'Tax' is not a four-letter word," said Jim Warford, executive director of the Florida Association of School Administrators.

Tampabay.com readers wouldn't necessarily agree on that point. They share some other ideas for keeping schools in the black.

Debbie says: "I bet us 'normal' people could get rid of millions of dollars of waste -- in both money and useless positions. More $ thrown at schools doesn't make a better education."

A teacher wrote: "Schools waste so much money -- mostly on the 'higher ups.' How many staff developers & curriculum specialists do you need anyway? We have plenty of people at our own schools to help w/ curriculum. Trim the fat!"

Lee said: "Realign the school budget so 75% of all dollars are spent directly in the classroom and THEN come back and ask me to raise my taxes."

Opposed to new taxes? How would you suggest schools cut costs?

All abuzz over Scientologists in Clearwater

Today's story about the Church of Scientology buying a prime parcel in downtown Clearwater has tampabay.com readers talking.

One reader wants to know: "With maybe 50,000 members worldwide, where are they getting this kind of money in cash?"

If the five acres become a church facility, it will mean another valuable piece of waterfront land comes off the property tax rolls. And that didn't sit well with some readers.

"Why are these properties coming off the tax rolls, especially in times as they are now? This is NOT a CHURCH or a religion," Casey says.

"Is this really the smartest move? " Suzy asks. "There are better ways to develop the beautiful city of Clearwater!"

And Shelly is wondering about Scientology's most famous member: "They haven't even finished their so-called Super Powers building.  Say, has anyone seen Tom Cruise flying yet?"

To Favre or not to Favre

The Brett Favre saga has landed in Tampa Bay. The Packers quarterback spoke with Bucs coach Jon Gruden Tuesday night about a possible trade to Tampa Bay, and now Bucs fans are talking.

Jerry has been replaying videos in his head: "I recall a video clip of Jon Gruden berating Chris Simms for his inability to grasp the terminology of a play he had called in practice. He followed up with the comment that Brett Favre never had that problem. Now he has the chance to prove it."

Too much indecision for Jay: "Favre is making a fool of himself. he had a great career and could have gone out with style. Instead he has made himself the fool."

Wayne of Port Richey has faith in Favre, for a couple years: " Yeah! With Favre we can win the Super Bowl! He has about 2 years left, and by that time Vick will be out and we can get him and dominate!"

Sharon says it all comes down to one thing: " It doesn't matter which quarterback I'd choose.  All that matters is who will make the most money for the Glazers."

It's all about Favre for Dennis: " Love Brett, if he can't play with the Viking or the Bears, then God bless him with Tampa."

Favre, Garcia? Too many QuarterBucs?

Shoppers unite

Tough times call for tough words about grocery stores. Tampabay.com readers showed their loyalties in response to today's story about grocery chains fighting to keep their shoppers.

"Publix better lower their prices before buying up and building all these new stores. I was Publix shopper for over 30 years and with their recent "rip off" attitude I've moved on. A few cents is nothing, 2 or 3 dollars is substantial," Lori says.

Sharon shows her loyalty to Publix: "Publix is clean and friendly, and when I take advantage of their sales, I always come up with the best pricing there overall. Go Publix!"

Mac is already predicting the end for Publix: "It's lights out for Publix too when Wal-Mart parks one of its Neighborhood Market groceries across the street from each Publix store."

How about you? Publix, Wal-Mart or are you ready to start growing your own food?