Hold on to downtown history

As an Orlando resident in a downtown historic district (Lake Eola Heights), I find it astonishing that the City Council has proposed an ordinance to suspend the review of the Historic Preservation Board in the Downtown historic district for three years.

This proposal is utterly unacceptable. It was made public on June 3 and voted on just five days later, with no prior input from the preservation board, residents or the general public.

Dozens of cities in Florida have historic districts; consider cities like Miami, Ormond Beach, or even Winter Park. Our history is a valuable asset that not only reflects our past but also holds immense fascination.

When the City Council and staff envision their new and soulless skyscrapers, they should bear in mind that demolition is irreversible (just look at the vacant, seedy, smelly Plaza building that replaced the McCrory’s and Woolworth buildings). In the next 36 months, we could lose every historic property, including nine of our city landmarks, which could be lost forever.

The next time you drive downtown, take a moment to appreciate the Kress building and the train station, before it’s too late.

— Diane Martens, Orlando

Trump’s straight talk is popular

True leaders never submit to divisive and inappropriate questions. President Donald Trump’s response to the questions he faced in an interview for NBC’s “Meet the Press,” an interview he ended early after calling NBC “a one-sided, crooked network,” exhibited a reason he was elected in 2024 after winning all seven swing states. Trump’s demeanor has not changed from his beginning in politics. He has no need to hide any documented facts from the general public from questions designed to intimidate him on camera. What you see is what you get.

— William Pratt, Clermont

Gun industry’s power

In a study of 350,000 guns recovered from crime scenes from 50 cities between 2020 and 2024, about 700 guns (0.2%) were 3-D printed, according to Everytown For Gun Safety. Politicians want to target this 0.2% by requiring all hobbyists to buy much more expensive 3-D printers that would use AI to review every print job and not allow guns or gun parts be printed. I am a mechanical engineer who has a hobbyist-level 3-D printer. My printer can only print a plastic handle for a ghost gun. The plastic used is not strong enough and the printer is not accurate enough to print a functional barrel or any of the components to fire the bullet.

So why are the politicians going for the hobbyists? Simple, if they went for the 99.8% that are most often used in crimes, the gun industry would come down very hard on the politicians spending millions for their opponents. The gun industry also has the Supreme Court on their side. Seems, in my opinion, the Supreme Court considers any restrictions on guns a violation of the Second Amendment. Public safety is not a consideration.

Another study suggests that almost half the guns sold end up in criminal hands through illegal straw purchases. This is an obvious place for greater emphasis, but this would cut into the profits of the gun manufacturers. So, this too is not the political thing to pursue.

— Ben Humphries, Orlando

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