Letters: Pensacola officials could learn from Fairhope’s free downtown public parking

Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of our readers and not the Pensacola News Journal. In order for letters to be considered for publication, they must be 250 words or less and include name, a full address and phone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published. Email submissions to opinion@pnj.com.

Pensacola could learn a lot from Fairhope

I had the pleasure of attending the Fairhope Art Festival this last weekend. It was a great event with lots of great art. And best of all? Parking was free! Everywhere!

Yep, hard to believe that a city could actually encourage people to attend by not gouging them for parking. So, unlike Pensacola. Any event of any kind here, and parking fees go up. Both the city and private lots gouge anyone attending an event downtown. Because of this, I rarely go downtown, as is the case with a lot of people I know.

The city of Pensacola has definitely taken a wrong turn in this regard.

Curtis Beck, Pensacola

Readers don't hold back: Letters: Joe Biden may have ‘country first’ policies, but that country is not America

America gives too much credence to lies

Why do we love to listen to lies? Example, we drive on parkways and park on driveways. Remember the Gulf of Tonkin and Vietnam? Weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Russian collusion in 2020? Now more lies about loans and the overthrowing of government. Lest we forget the big one, “I did not have sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky.” Jesus said this: “Satan is the father of lies.” Stop listening to the Devil, it is the problem with America currently.

Randy Myers, Pensacola

Psychological projection is a product of extremism

In a study published in March 2023, authors Dr. Ann Krispenz and Dr. Alexander Bertrams found that extremism is closely associated with “psychopathic tendencies.”

Stated simply, psychopaths pretend to care about “social justice and equality,” but in reality are just feeding their massive “ego-focused” lust for power, glory and revenge, the authors say.

“In particular,” they add, “certain forms of activism might provide them with opportunities for positive self-presentation and displays of moral superiority, to gain social status, to dominate others, and to engage in social conflicts and aggression to satisfy their need for thrill seeking.”

Psychological projection hardens a patient’s mere belief or suspicion that the other (person, organization) is bad into a conviction the other person is bad. In particular the patient knows the other person is bad.

With psychological projection there are no gray areas in the belief structure: The other person is all bad. There is no circumstance in which a person (or political party) is understood to possess a combination of both good and bad features.

As a benevolent society, it is time we stop tolerating these poor people and get them the help they need.

Bill Meyers, Pensacola

Don’t prioritize flagpole with taxpayer dollars

I read the News Journal article on March 13 where Santa Rosa County Commissioner James Calkins is proposing to erect a 227 foot tall American flagpole in Milton (Florida's tallest) to promote tourism at an estimated cost of more than $291K.

While I am a retired military veteran and proudly fly my American flag each day, I think there are more pressing needs in our county right now than spending taxpayer dollars on the state's tallest flag. While our county is one of the fastest growing in the state, we are really lagging far behind in infrastructure improvements to accommodate the growth and we experience it daily.

Surely there are more pressing needs in the county for the $291K than the state's tallest flagpole. I can't believe some of our county commissioners are that far out of touch.

Remember them in November - I certainly will.

Pete Gandy, Pace

Hear from our readers: Letters: Malcolm Yonge Center’s demolition shows not all community spaces are equal

Reeves must deliver on curbside recycling

Dear Mayor Reeves, it is now March, and we still have no curbside recycling. The last I read you were shooting for January for those of us willing to pay for it.

I'm sure you have lots on your plate and other priorities, and that market forces are not within your control, but I find it hard to feel that I am living in the forward looking, cosmopolitan city you like to promote when such a basic service is not available.

American Magic is a coup, no doubt, but please give some attention to this issue that touches us all.

Norma Muller, Pensacola

Take a hard look at solar recovery fees

I am a retired Navy veteran advocating against the unjust Solar Fixed Cost Recovery Fee imposed by EREC, managed by PowerSouth Energy. Despite Florida's sunny disposition, solar owners face financial burdens due to escalating fees, from $16.94 in 2021 to $41.78 in 2024.

This fee unfairly targets 117 out of 12,000-plus members, undermining renewable energy incentives and raising questions about fairness and transparency. With extensive engagements with regulatory bodies yielding little change, public scrutiny is needed. Based on peak winter demand, the fee's calculation neglects solar's year-round grid contributions.

This issue not only affects solar owners but also reflects broader concerns about renewable energy adoption and monopolistic practices in our energy sector. I urge the Pensacola News Journal to investigate, shedding light on the challenges solar owners face and prompting a reevaluation of policies impacting renewable energy's future in our region.

Jim Darenkamp, Milton

GOP thrives on restricting rights

Republicans want to restrict access to abortion, restrict access to books, restrict access to gender-affirming care, restrict voting rights, restrict representative government by gerrymandering. Maybe it’s time to rename them — the Restriction Party.

Eleanor Johnson, Gulf Breeze

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Letters: Pensacola could learn from Fairhope’s free downtown parking