Save the Altamonte Springs library

On July 18, 2024, the Altamonte Springs Commission voted to approve a motion proposed by Commissioner Bob O’Malley that increased the millage rate by 0.9 in an effort to save the Altamonte Springs Public Library after an outpouring of support from the community. I was one of the citizens of Altamonte Springs who spoke in favor of raising this tax rate to save the library, which my family loves so much. According to the meeting minutes, “Mr. Martz indicated… 0.9 mills will raise about $4.3 or $4.4 million dollars a year, and it will restore most of the things that were taken out of the budget, including the library. He further explained the additional revenue would stabilize our programs…”

This week, I found out that the proposed budget for the 2027 year would eliminate funding for the library which would lead to its closure. I cannot fully express the deep sense of betrayal I feel that the commission is even considering closing the library. Altamonte Springs cannot claim to be a city of “innovation, fiscal responsibility, and progressive ideas” while closing the library, especially after citizens came out to support an increase on taxes to save the library. Two years later the library is on the chopping block again due to budgetary concerns. Where did this money go if not to the library, as stipulated in the 2024 commission meeting? I urge the commission to vote “no” to any budget that closes the library.

— Jessica Lynch, Altamonte Springs

Support EVs, not flying cars

Thank you for publishing “Florida wants to use cash meant for electric car chargers on flying cars instead” (Aug. 10). Taxpayers need to know that almost $200 million of their money has been diverted away from charging stations that could help make commuting with electric vehicles easier. That money is now going to pie-in-the-sky privately funded companies that will likely benefit billionaires and not show any benefit to the common man for many years to come, assuming it ever comes to fruition.

Politicians are out of touch with the economic pain Floridians are feeling with the war in Iran, increased gas prices, and tariffs. We need help now, not a futuristic Jetsons-like scene that could be realized 20 years from now. Electric vehicles are the most cost-effective means of individual transportation, but drivers need confidence that they can locate charging stations. Our Florida government should be supporting EVs, not working against them.

Charging stations also support the gas stations, convenience stores and strip malls where they are located. Or we can use our tax dollars to support golf courses, airports and luxury apartment buildings.

— Katherine Sutherland, Winter Haven

Move Trump far away from power

How much longer will we allow this president to destroy our beloved America? In my view, his corruption is breathtaking. Republicans don’t dare whisper it in public. He seemingly picked his Cabinet to rubber-stamp his every wish. Little stops him as he tramples laws and threatens, like a common mob boss, anyone who dares put an obstacle in his way to stay in power. Now, Elon Musk is rushing in with his gazillions to spend money electing Trump-supported candidates so the Boss can continue to “own” Congress.

Donald Trump continues to hurt us in too many ways to count. His actions against immigrants, Indigenous tribes, Hispanics and Blacks scream racism. He’s trashed Washington, D.C., with his “projects.” At the White House Correspondents dinner, he gleefully insulted winners of awards. He announced illegal plans to run for his “fourth term,” implying again that he “won” the 2020 election. He came ready with a hat that read “Trump 2028.”

Protecting elections and encouraging thoughtful voting is imperative to retake control of our government. When our votes take away Trump’s control of the House and Senate and hopefully he’s impeached again, perhaps he’ll be sentenced to house arrest for his 34 felony convictions. Then he can board his Qatari prize jet along with crates of his gold stuff and fly to Mar-a-Lago. Wearing his ankle bracelet, he can shuffle through the halls super-gluing golden objects to the walls and dreaming up even more AI creations of himself.

— Jean Duhon Hanson, Dundee

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