Readers comment on building a light rail system in Gainesville and more

Build light rail in Gainesville

Since being here in Gainesville, I have witnessed a notable change in the traffic flows; unfortunately, the situation seems to be progressively getting worse. Based on the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce’s vision, mission and core value statements, I believe that the organization would be the right fit to take on the challenge of spear-heading the push to have a light-rail system built in Gainesville.

I envision having a light-rail system strategically placed along the Newberry Road and University Avenue corridors as being the most effective route. Proposed major sites:

• Beginning at University Avenue and Northwest 13th Street in Gainesville (University of Florida)

• Ending at 250th Street in Newberry (Oak View Middle School)

• Passing through Northwest Fort Clarke Boulevard/ Northwest 23rd Ave (Santa Fe Community College)

• Passing through Oaks Mall/Eighth Street and NW 34th Street.

By having the system begin at 13th/University Avenue, it would serve to greatly reduce (if not eliminate) the heavy flow of traffic in those areas near UF, giving the students, faculty and staff some much-needed peace of mind.

There are many positive benefits for Gainesville to have a light-rail system. I would like to work with others to get this accomplished.

Anthony Charles, Gainesville

Epitome of civility

Alachua County School Board Chairman Rob Hyatt is a card-carrying, liberal, Hubert Humphrey Democrat. I know because I have known Rob for 57 years. The Nov. 19 letter to the editor, “Wrong choice for chair,” could not have picked a more undeserving target at whom to hurl the race card.

The writers, representing a Facebook group, should do their homework. There is no “long-standing tradition” of passing School Board leadership from chair to vice chair. Several times previously, the vice chair has not been elevated to chair, for various reasons.

Hyatt and two other members passed over Tina Certain for chair, not because she is Black, as the writers suggest, but because she is not qualified to lead. Certain has been anything but “collegial” in her tenure on the board. She has regularly insulted and criticized other board members personally, in public. She has, ironically, exemplified the worst, name-calling, divisive habits of the extreme right that have spoiled the political landscape.

Contrary to his critics’ claims, Hyatt is and has always been the epitome of integrity and civility. He follows the facts and his conscience and does what he believes is right. I am honored to call him my friend and the children of Alachua County are fortunate to have him serve.

Gary Nelson, Gainesville

Needed therapy

How did anti-democracy personality disorder become so normalized? In the not-too-distant past when a defeated politician lied about elections, citizens who truly loved their country would correct each deception.

If a congressman attempted to disenfranchise millions of voters, responsible members within his own party would step up to censure him. Senators who repeated foreign-sourced propaganda for political gain actually risked losing public office. Whenever state legislators tried to suppress access to the ballot, concerned voters could immediately recognize the threat to their own interests.

If a prior governor had sacrificed thousands of human lives for self-serving partisan advantage, the voice of every person of conscience would have risen up in righteous outrage. Had an unscrupulous television entertainer declared war against the majority of American citizens every night, no one with even a sliver of patriotic sensibility would have been the least bit amused.

Fortunately, a rigorous therapy of more honesty, more understanding and a lot more democracy might just provide a remedy for this debilitating affliction.

P. D. Smith, Williston

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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Letters to the editor for Nov. 28, 2021