Today's letters: Readers comment on the Turnpike, voting and local school plans
Do something about Turnpike
The proposed northern Turnpike extension is fiercely opposed by residents. We have been speaking up trying to protect our farms, ranches, recreational areas, conservation lands and rural lifestyle. Any potential benefits to transportation systems are vastly outweighed by the potential damage the proposed routes would do to our natural resources, our ability to enjoy them and the urban sprawl that would follow in its wake.
The routes bisect the Cross Florida Greenway and Halpata Preserve, endanger the Rainbow Springs recharge areas and bulldoze thousands of homes. Numerous local governments have listened to the voices of the voters and have enacted policies or issued statements to FDOT that convey the message of “No-Build” that residents have advocated for.
It’s time for Marion County commissioners to do the same. MCBOCC needs to chart a new course — one where they listen to residents. They need to join the growing number of other local governments and do something that reflects the will of the people. MCBOCC should use their seat at the table to urge FDOT to follow the guidance of the previous task force — complete upgrades to I-75 and local roads — before considering a new corridor through the last vestiges of “The Real Florida.”
Rich Havens, Dunnellon
Evaluate the news
Why should we care how many billionaires are crazy enough to spend billions backing Gov. DeSantis? Furthermore, why have 42 billionaires (80% of whom are not even living in Florida) invested big money to influence Floridians how to vote?
The reason is because they think we are stupid! We can be conned into voting blindly for their economic, political and environmental interests, not our own! Soon our mailboxes, Internet, TV and billboards will be filled with one-sided propaganda and wild promises for candidates backed and paid for by these 42. Just remember that we voters do not have to believe their lies; that is, if we have done our homework.
Despite today’s toxic political environment, it is still possible, with a little effort, to educate ourselves by going to the Marion County Library. Allow the League of Women Voters to explain the issues to you, and let our local librarians guide you to reputable sources on candidates. Do your due diligence — read broadly! Read the Economist, the Washington Post and the New York Times. Read from a world perspective. See what other countries say.
“Evaluate the news,” as the Ocala Gazette says, but also “evaluate the manner in which news was gathered.” Don’t get all of your ideas from one TV show or one website. Don’t allow yourselves to be used or swayed by the one-sided propaganda instigated by billionaires! What do they have in common with us Florida voters? Nothing!
Pia T. Brown, Ocala
Local plans
Sadly, we have seen another public school disaster.
Many again are blaming gun control as the problem. This is not the problem.
Many demand federal agencies solve this problem. There is no value to adding great numbers of federal bureaucracy.
This will not work.
The truth is that these disasters must be solved by the local county personnel.
The truth is that they have plans to protect schools but they are not being executed by the local personnel.
The local personnel must be accountable every day for their plans and practice every day. If you are not practicing your plans with your team, you have no plans.
William Francis, Summerfield
Write to us
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This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: June 19 letters: Readers comment on the Turnpike, voting, local plans
