Final Draft Letter to Clearwater Residents

Eric Behm – ENG 101

Dear Residents of Clearwater,

            As you have probably all heard there was indeed a recent shark attack at one of the beaches here in Clearwater. The news reports are true and unfortunate, it pains me to say the attack was fatal, and we have lost a resident of Clearwater from this tragedy. This letter I am writing today as your mayor is one that urges all of you to be cautious in you recreational activities here at our beaches. It has been a long known fact that the beaches of Clearwater and Florida in general are some of the most beautiful in the world, but they do not come without risks or dangers. There is no way to avoid the topic of sharks when you talk about going to the beach, and that is why extreme caution is necessary when visiting a beach here in Clearwater. Now as it has been reported by the Florida Museum of Natural History, there have only been 12 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks since 1882 in Pinellas County, which is a staggering low number. But that does not mean precautions should not be taken when going to the beach or swimming in the ocean. Fatal attacks like this rock our community all the way through, and rightfully so. Some of the greatest memories I have are as a young boy is playing at the beach with my parents and I can’t begin to tell you the countless memories I have made at the beach with my own family. Nobody wants to lose a family member to a tragedy like this, and as your mayor I do not want to lose a valued community member like yourself. I urge each and every one of you to be cautious in your endeavors at the beach this summer and for the rest of the year. Each and every one of our community members is an important one, and together we all make this on of the best communities through all of the country.

Sincerely,

Mayor John Stevens

BEWARE!

The Post

Our blog highlights the important aspects of shark attacks. We have arranged it in a way that is user friendly and easy to navigate. Our main goal in creating Shark Bait Uh Ha Ha is to educate and inform individuals about real life accounts and statistics on shark attacks. We have organized the tabs in a way that allows the user to select what they would like to learn about.  Readers should be aware that in order for our blog to be 100% affective they must visit each tab to become fully educated on shark attacks.

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Shark Attack Article

18 year-old Killed From Shark Attack in Clearwater Beach, Florida

It started out as a perfect first day of vacation: sunny skies and a high of 91.  The Smith family thought they were going to have a fabulous summer vacation when, out of nowhere, disaster struck. 

The Smith’s 18 year-old son, Eric Smith, was riding the waves in an inner tube with his little sister, Ellen Smith (age 10), when one shark grabbed his right arm.  Eric was in a state of shock and was kicking and punching the shark with his other arm.  Seconds later, another shark came along and grabbed his left leg.  Now, there was nothing more he could do but hope the torture would will.

Eric’s dad, Evan, ran out into the water to try and fight off the sharks while Eric’s mom, Elizabeth, called 911. Ellen was in complete shock and didn’t know what was going on.  Eric was struggling to stay alive when his dad was kicking and punching the sharks with all his might.  The sharks pulled Eric under twice before they dragged him away.  

The once relaxing, perfect spring break for the Smith family turned into complete devastation.  The family is still in Clearwater, Florida as people are still searching for their son’s missing body.  Elizabeth Smith’s says, “we’re not going home without him”.  

Obituary

Eric Smith was eighteen years old when he passed away. He died on July, 27^th 2011 in Clear Water, Florida. Eric was on vacation in Florida with his family when he was brutally attacked by two sharks while tubing in the ocean.

Eric was born on May, 8^th 1993 in Normal, Illinois. Eric’s parent’s names are Evan and Elizabeth Smith; he has a younger sister, Emma, who is eight years younger than him. His family was always very proud of him and his accomplishments. Eric always loved playing baseball and his baseball team had just won state. Then he graduated from Bloomington Normal High School class 2011. After the summer he was planning on attending Illinois State University in fall 2011 to play baseball and study business there. Aside from baseball Eric was also involved in many other things in high school, he was a part of a volunteering club, a part of student council and the National Honors Society.  Eric was a very smart student and always applied himself in school. What is most memorable about Eric is his caring towards others. Eric was very giving and willing to help others before himself. Eric is loved and will be greatly missed.

Eric Smith is survived by his parents, Evan and Elizabeth Smith and sibling Ellen Smith.

The funeral service will be held at Elm View Mortuary, on the 30^th of July, 2011.