DeSantis hindered by the company he keeps

My uncle, longtime newspaper columnist and CNN host Rowland Evans, once told me that a political leader’s trajectory hinges 100% on the quality of the five people nearest to him in decision-making. You become the reputation of your posse.

I worked for Gov. Ron DeSantis — raising money, writing, serving as an appointee — for over a decade, and I am afraid recent decisions that affect our state’s most vulnerable mark the beginning of the end of the governor’s political future. I hope I am wrong.

The early years were fabulous; hardscrabble and always honest, a self-made policymaker who was bold. History will mark him as a Julius Caesar for hurricane management, no trivial matter in the Sunshine State.

But now, as my uncle would have pointed out, gargoyles have overtaken the cathedral. A handful of big fundraisers are sullying DeSantis’ brand.

The DeSantis I worked for is a man who understands the plight of those who need and deserve a second chance; I’m referring to the crisis of recidivism. Accountability and rehabilitation are not mutually exclusive. Education lowers recidivism, which affects public safety. Rehabilitated inmates help fill workforce shortages. Recent funding cuts are not congruent with the governor I know as a champion for all Floridians.

There’s no escaping the company you keep. My English teacher at Maitland Junior High, Mrs. Gwynn, would say, “If you can’t change your friends, change your friends.”

She and my uncle were wise. I hope our governor can do just that.

John L. Evans Winter Park

Protecting rule of law is essential, judge writes

Llewellyn King’s column in Friday’s Sentinel (“The rule of law is the foundation of civilization”) was enjoyable to read. It was both accurate and interesting. The rule of law means that everyone agrees to fair, reasonable rules so people can live and work together peacefully. These rules apply to business, religion, and even our private lives.

The United States was founded by people who wanted a government that worked for all people, not one ruled by a king or dictator. Because of this, America became an important example of the rule of law, influencing the French Revolution and many other countries around the world.

Today, however, many people in America and other nations seem to be turning away from the rule of law and toward strong leaders called autocrats, who hold too much power. No matter what someone believes, they have the right to their opinion and the right to speak up for it, there is cause for concern as expressed in his article. Protecting that rule of law is essential.

Roger McDonald Orlando

Roger McDonald is a senior judge of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, serving Orange and Osceola counties.

Rep. Smith must accept criticism

In 2022, Rep. David Smith voted to violate the Florida Constitution’s Fair Districting requirements, at his party’s orders (and yes, the partisan state Supreme Court did the same). He has not said he would not be willing to do so again. How is it irresponsible for a constituent to demand that he support the Constitution rather than supporting Gov. Ron DeSantis (“Central Florida lawmaker makes crude remark in email to constituent,” Jan. 23)? And how is it honorable for him to metaphorically hold up his old Marine Corps uniform as a shield against questioning? If he were doing the job he was elected to do, and following the oath he swore, that wouldn’t be necessary — but in my view, he clearly knows he isn’t. It’s time for Smith and his similarly intimidated fellow Republicans to stand up instead and defend the rule of law once again.

Brian Clouse Oviedo

Easements are limited

Conservation easements sound like a win-win and they are, but only if the landowner agrees (Letter to the editor: “Easements can protect Seminole development,” Jan. 22). It makes sense far out in the country where there is no imminent threat of development, but not close to urban areas. In my view, many of those landowners do not want to continue farming. Rather they want maximum dollars for their land and conservation easements offer only a very small fraction of that value.

Richard Creedon Geneva

Richard Creedon is president of the Geneva Citizens Association.

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