DeSantis; Black men beaten; Brightline; Vero Beach Dodgers; Trump & Fort Pierce | Letters

Listen to local stories to understand modern-day plight of our Black neighbors

The following is a reaction to the new Florida Department of Education standard that middle school students be told that “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”

In the racially integrated Bahamas where Victor Hart Sr. lived, he was a man, he said. Here, in Indian River County in the 1950s, the 37-year-old Black man was demeaningly called "boy."

“Here I was told where to live and eat, could only work as a laborer," he said.

He wasn’t alone.

In the United States, legal slavery ended in the late 1800s, but heavy legal “chains” continued, greatly limiting the lives of people of his color for a century afterward. At one extreme “according to many accounts, in the middle 1940s to the 1950s, Blacks were often brutally beaten by (Indian River County Sheriff L.B.) Osteen and deputies for even minor traffic infractions,” according to a county report.

The ringing of a bell at sundown wasn’t a call to church in Vero Beach. It meant Black people had to be out of the town.

Still, Hart had what was inside him: He harbored pride and hope, as did many others of his race. They serve as examples to all, of all races, backgrounds and situations. In their own individual ways, they reflect an underlying human spirit the Rev. Martin Luther King spoke of to a crowd of thousands ― the dream of “thank God almighty, free at last.”

In conclusion, let's not make Black history a story of the enslaved benefiting from it. At its heart, it is a deeply personal, even excruciating, human story for all in situations they feel encapsulate them. It applies to both the enslaved and those who enslave them. They, too, are bound.

Elliott Jones, Vero Beach

Brightline, FEC must resolve issues so we can live together in harmony

It seems some compromise for Brightline's fast, short trains and Florida East Coast Railway's slow, longer trains is in order for the bridge across the St. Lucie River.

As Ed Killer and Blake Fontenay have reported, we can expect many more people moving to Treasure Coast. The train issues need solutions that maximize mobility and safety for pedestrians, vehicles and marine users. Here are some suggestions:

To reduce congestion, FEC freight trains could operate mostly at night, (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.?) to lessen blockage of crossings and bottlenecks at Confusion Corner and downtown Stuart. This requires a new, two-track bridge over the St. Lucie. It would allow more marine traffic in daylight hours and less delay for cars, trucks and emergency vehicles during rush hours.

For example, the bridge could be in up position in daytime hours, and only lowered for Brightline's fast trains as they approach. Short, fast trains require shorter bridge closing times.

To improve safety, since the Treasure Coast has more dangerous at-grade crossings than anywhere else, Brightline should install 50- to 100-foot permanent fences on both sides of the tracks right up to the automatic arms at each crossing. Pedestrian gates could be locked as the arms are lowered.

As a Realtor and resident, I hope we all can work together to preserve the "livability" and great ambiance of our Treasure Coast, and hope these issues of mobility and safety can be optimized for residents, visitors and businesses here.

Bob Gibbons, Stuart

New Indiantown High School huge benefit to community in need

My wife, Sandy, and I live blessed lives. We have a beautiful family, successful businesses and many wonderful friends. We recognize that our story isn’t everyone’s.

That’s why we invest in opportunities that change the lives of youth, particularly those growing up with modest resources.

The other day we made immeasurable progress toward securing economic prosperity for the children of Indiantown, one of Florida’s most culturally diverse, economically challenged areas.

We joined hundreds of community members, government officials, Indian River State College leaders and students to dedicate Indiantown High School, a new public charter high school operated by the college.

We realized our vision to establish a high school where graduates are not only employable, but will thrive. Students at Indiantown High School learn in the most technologically advanced classrooms and are empowered to pursue college credits or workforce credentials — as early as ninth grade.

Historically, rural districts have faced challenges in providing high-quality, work-based learning opportunities and their local businesses faced difficulties finding high-quality employees. Traditionally, rural schools have had fewer course offerings and less sophisticated technology.

That’s no longer true in Indiantown.

We broke ground in June 2022, welcomed our first students in August 2022, and opened a 60,000-square-foot building Aug. 2.

Community stakeholders, legislators, county commissioners and the Martin County School District played an essential role. The IRSC Foundation and the state of Florida joined the effort, providing additional financial support.

This was a “whole of community lift.”

For the first time in Indiantown history, students no longer need to make the daily 17-mile trek back and forth on a school bus to go to a high school outside of their community.

And for the first time in a long time, we’ve made significant progress in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Charles Johnston, founder of Indiantown High School, lives in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Current Vero Beach Dodgers trivia can help you through the season

Carlos Santana (not the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer) was traded to the Brewers from the Pirates recently.

That reminded me that Santana is the last Vero Beach Dodger to be playing in the majors. He played the last half of the last season (2006) with the VBDs.

Actually, he has held that distinction for a year or two.

While Santana is the last VBD playing in the majors, there are currently three former VBDs managing in the majors:

Alex Cora (1996)

David Ross (1999)

Dave Roberts (2004). OK, this was a two-game rehab stint before he was traded to the Red Sox, and we know what happened there.

And if you include the Vero Beach Devil Rays (2007 and 2008), you can add to the list of current Major League Baseball managers Rocco Baldelli, who made short appearances in both seasons.

Chuck Balnius, Vero Beach, is a former sports editor of the Press Journal.

Here's what Fort Pierce will be after the Trump proceedings

Reading Blake Fontenay's piece about news coverage of Fort Pierce during all the Trump hubbub struck a chord with me.

As someone who's been visiting family here my whole life, I found myself quite surprised when nobody told me that the legal shenanigans would be happening here. It's hard for me to picture this place as the site of national historical events, especially when the courthouse is mere blocks away from landmarks that are more personally important: my cousins' workplaces downtown, the popcorn shop next to the cemetery, the pigeons at the marina where the farmer's market is held.

It's amusing to try and mentally connect that local imagery to that of Donald Trump's legal woes.

Fontenay is right in that news media from around the country, particularly bigger cities, do not really have any business knocking Fort Pierce's cultural scene. In fact, they may do well to see the relaxed atmosphere as welcome respite from mile-a-minute legalese being spoken all around them. There's certainly enough contrast.

All this may seem to be contributing to the "quaint" characterization of the town we all (presumably) love, but I view it this way:

When all the dust has settled and all's quiet once again at the federal courthouse, Fort Pierce will still be here. Residents new and old will still have their pick of chain and mom-and-pop businesses, still have easy access to the ocean and still have culture to explore and friends to make. No mischaracterization by any news outlet will change whatever personal landmarks you have here.

In other words, I'd encourage Fort Pierce residents and visitors alike to paraphrase an episode of "Gilmore Girls" and declare: "My town! I decide its importance!"

Kira Barnes, Fort Pierce

Here's why there's status quo on continued pollution of St. Lucie River

I believe a major cause of cyanobacteria feeding our estuary is 55,000 tons of phosphates/nitrates applied to 500,000 acres by Big Sugar washed in by Clewiston’s 45-inch annual rainfall.

That contaminated rainwater then backwashes into Lake Okeechobee to promote a petri dish culture of cyanobacteria.

For Florida government agencies to claim St. Lucie River pollution is largely caused by defective septic systems or by lawn fertilization is wrong. I suspect it's a ruse to get the public eye off the real problem, not to mention the “black snow” from burning cane fields of Big Sugar.

The St. Lucie becomes contaminated when polluted water from the lake is released into it. Very little residential septic tank or lawn fertilization leeches into Lake Okeechobee because there are few houses built on its shore because the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounds it.

The average 45 inches of normal rainfall collected on a half million acres of sugar cane on Lake Okeechobee’s south shore translates to 14,025,000 gallons of water available to “wash in the fertilizer” applied to the cane fields. Then, much of this nutrient-laden irrigation water back flushes into Lake O, creating a perfect setting for cyanobacteria blooms that pollute the lake and when released into the C-44 canal and the Caloosahatchee River thoroughly pollute it and the St. Lucie River estuary.

Compared to 14 million gallons per year of polluted irrigation water, the few septic system leech fields and bags of  lawn fertilizer that might contribute to pollution in our estuary is minuscule.

Our politicians and state agencies insult the public’s intelligence to imply St. Lucie bacteria levels are principally caused by septic systems and people trying to “green” their lawns.

Our politicians seemingly have been bought off; that’s why the status quo has remained for 50-plus years.

Paul Vallier, Stuart

Florida education standards? Only one way to describe enslavement of Black people

The debate over Florida’s educational standards that  include a reference to anything positive about this country’s history of slavery is reprehensible.

This abhorrent stain on our collective past should never be described in any other way than unjustifiable, inhuman subjugation of a class of people for the unquestioned economic and personal gain of one group over another.

Shame on all of us who say we live in Florida.

Steven Benardo, Ed.D, North Hutchinson Island

Florida case shows warehousing people unacceptable

Regarding U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks' ruling that Florida violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the rights of children ... to avoid growing up in nursing homes:

He opines "unjustified institutionalization of individuals with disabilities is unacceptable. Any family who wants to care for their child at home should be able to do so. Those who are institutionalized spend months and sometimes years isolated from family and the outside world."

These laws are purported to apply to all individuals, regardless of age. However, singling out only children for these services is discriminatory. And when these children become of age as adults, then what?

There are thousands of adults in care facilities with mild to moderate cognitive or physical impairments who could be safely cared for in a family- or home-like setting if funds were made available. Middlebrooks' ruling should be applied fairly and equally to all age groups.

Middlebrooks also wrote: "The American with Disabilities Act requires the state to provide services in the most integrated setting appropriate to meet the needs of people with disabilities." Apparently, once you are old and infirm, you are no longer a "people."

Our nation continues to warehouse our elderly due to our inability to care for them in their homes or home-like settings. Studies have demonstrated more positive outcomes when these elderly and infirm people remain in their homes or more home-like settings.

We Americans must wake up and realize there are better alternatives to elder care than warehousing them in facilities where they too may spend months and sometimes years isolated from family and the outside world.

Americans need to wake up and realize there are better alternatives, because it could be their care one day, and how would they like that?

Jan Belwood, Palm City

DeSantis' moves on race, education can only be to achieve a political agenda

Many folks have concluded that Gov. Ron DeSantis has adopted a white nationalist agenda because Donald Trump showed tying up that wing of the Republican Party was the easy way to gain a presidential nomination. There is more to it than that.

The Republican Party needs the percentage of the electorate who are white supremacists to never drop below 30 to remain viable.

The integration of our public schools has been a major factor in diminishing racism in this country. White children who become friends with and learn the plight of Black, Latino, Asian and Indigenous Americans are less likely to hold onto bigoted beliefs. This all creates an existential crisis for the GOP.

In Florida, we have already seen steps taken toward resegregation of our students. The voucher program and "school choice" are policies designed to accelerate it.

Using the school curriculum to impede any move toward a feeling of empathy for people who have suffered social injustice is a not-so-subtle attempt to preserve bigotry. The stated reasons behind such blatant propaganda are ridiculous. The laughable rationale is that children should not be taught anything that might make them uncomfortable. In Germany, it is mandated that school children learn about the Holocaust, often with field trips to death camps. No Germans whine about that. Our school kids are not more delicate than Germany's.

We are now going one step further. Instead of being taught the evils of slavery, Jim Crow and discrimination, and the very real societal and economic repurcussions such institutions have visited upon current generations, our young students are taught that maybe slavery wasn't so bad as a very tiny minority of our slaves lived long enough to be freed, and before then served an apprenticeship.

DeSantis seems to want to take us backward for political reasons.

Steve Tierney, Fort Pierce

Nation's best serving us in Washington's top positions?

Just imagine: The population of the United States is 340,145,579; say 340 million.

Our top government officials are really old.

We have a former President Donald Trump, under indictment, for the third time, who wants to run again for president of the United States and the leader of the free world. And he is 78 years old.

The incumbent is a doddering old man who stumbles, loses his place on the teleprompter and often forgets where he is. And he wants to run again at 81 years old.

That's not to mention the leadership of both parties.

Mitch McConnell, 81; Nancy Pelosi, 83; Chuck Grassley, 89; Dianne Feinstein, 90. There are lots more.

They are giving old-timers a bad name.

Ask yourself:  Out of 340 million people, is that the best we've got?

James Grant, Jensen Beach

After wild weather, Bush voter having second thoughts

Four hundred votes separated George W. Bush and Al Gore from becoming president. Back in 2000, it didn’t seem like a big deal. Both were decent men. I had nothing against Gore, but I voted for Bush and still respect both.

“Ozone Man” told us that the planet needs attention and global warming was sure to occur if we didn’t stop the ozone layer from shrinking. He was often ridiculed for this. But let us be honest with ourselves: Gore may have had it figured out.

We should all be politely, but strongly, relaying to our representatives (small r) and all the leaders in Washington (and the world) to put aside their political aspirations and think of your current and future descendants. Don’t think about what you can do to help them get into the best college or the greatest job using your influence. They would think more of you if you were serious about doing something about our frightening climate changes.

The younger generations are not going to put much value on politically annoying “stuff” that now faces us 24/7 on cable news. I am begging you for those I love and those you love; do this for them now.

It is not going to matter if they are a Republican, Democrat, liberal, right-wing Christian, atheist, MAGA, male, female, transgender, American or Taliban if they can’t survive the intensity of heat and floods that appear to be a coming reality.

Our climate and what we can do about it, should be your priority. Think about all the others that would like to live the life most of us have had. Don’t be so self-absorbed. All those who come after us will thank you.

Think big!

Karen Vaina, Palm City

What happens when good people are quiet and evil gains power?

The author of the recent letter, “It’s shameful to compare Nazi atrocities to modern-day politics,” has missed the point.

Adolf Hitler didn’t start out gassing millions. He had to get power first. It took time and he didn’t do it by himself.

Hitler became leader of the Nazi party in 1921. By 1932, the party held the majority of seats in the German Reichstag. He became chancellor in 1933 and shortly afterward helped pass the “Enabling Act” which began the process of transforming their republic into a dictatorship. Sound like rumored GOP plans to shift power to the executive branch?

Hitler was raised Catholic, but his influence was greater with various Protestant sects. He slowly lured "good" members of faith to turn people in, build camps, drive trains and operate gas chambers. One group actually began calling themselves “Storm Troopers of Christ.” Sound familiar?

First, Hitler banned books and later held book-burning rallies. He persecuted gays and Roma immigrants. Folks were OK with this. He moved onto “asocials” (beggars, drug addicts, prostitutes). At least the streets were clean. Then Blacks, "diluting" the white Aryan race. Then Masons, Jehovah's Witnesses, the mentally disabled, non-Jewish Poles and Slavs, trade unionists and political opponents. Hitler always hated Jews and many “good Christians” didn’t seem to care.

My great-aunt didn’t like to talk much about her tattoo, but her stories focused on how the country slowly slipped into the abyss. Reminds you of the cartoon of the frog and a pot of water.

Some people don’t seem very evil early on because they don’t have the power to do what they want. What happens when they do?

Alan Madison, Vero Beach

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: DeSantis; Black men beaten; Brightline; Vero Beach Dodgers | Letters