Friday's letters: Storm debris lingers, college may need new direction

Storm debris piles up in neighborhood

In reference to the article “Debris Dilemma,” I live in Ballantrae, just off Beneva Road in Sarasota. Our association president was assured that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would dispose of the mounds of hurricane debris in our community.

After we paid to have the debris hauled to the front of our community and passed a Special Assessment to pay for the storm cleanup, we received this wonderful news: “Per our phone conversation, your condominium association is not eligible for debris pickup under the FEMA Public Assistance program. FEMA classifies condominium associations as commercial properties and do not qualify for cleanup.”

Story:Three months after Ian, debris still piled up

More:How to send a letter to the editor

So Ballantrae is a commercial property? Seriously?  Ballantrae governing documents have the following provision: “No business, commercial activity or profession shall be conducted from in or from a unit.”

Ballantrae is zoned Residential Single Family by Sarasota County. Our units are sold on MLS as residential properties. We pay property taxes as residential property.

Our property adjoins Country Club of Sarasota, a gated community where the debris was picked up.

Obviously, Ballantrae is not a commercial property. Where are our elected representatives? Do our elected representatives read the local paper or watch the local news?

Jim Boyd, Sarasota

New board may steer college back to basics

I read with interest the Jan. 8 story, “Fresh initiatives offered at New College.”

Even with the perception that most people have of the direction that New College leans, these “initiatives” were, well, interesting.  Maybe laughable would be a better description.

“Devised Theatre and Collaboration for Social Engagement”? Say what? “Museum Studies in Theory and Practice”? And I always thought they were just a bunch pictures and statues.

Silly me.

And we have to mention “Heritage: Theory and Practice for the Sarasota African American Historical and Cultural Center.” How many credit hours does "Joe Student" get for that one?

More:DeSantis packs New College board with conservatives

It is ironic that in the same edition is a story about the governor revamping the college board. Perhaps math, history, chemistry, political science, biology, etc., may be found “fresh” again.

Gordon Sturm, Sarasota

Right-wing ideology forced on New College

The Herald-Tribune has reported on Gov. Ron DeSantis packing the New College board with right-wing operatives. It is an example of the tarnishing of a jewel in Florida’s academic crown.

Related story:Students won't go down without a fight

The influence of Michigan’s Hillsdale College in Florida is bizarre. Having lived in Michigan for 52 years and taught American government there for 32 years, I know all too well of the sloppy academic mischief of Hillsdale, a right-wing institution in conservative southwest Michigan.

Is Hillsdale’s right-wing Christian-based ideology what is best for the rich diversity of Florida’s population?Spread the DeSantis/Hillsdale Orwellian view of civic education across the nation with a DeSantis presidency? If done, we will end up in Orwell’s 1984. Support DeSantis at the peril of the real definition of "freedom."

As Orwell warned, “If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”Paul Dain, Bradenton

House opens floodgates to corruption

Following the election of a new speaker of the House, Congress can now carry out the work of the American people. One place they could start is by tackling an issue that Republicans, Democrats and everyone in between all agree on: corruption.

But I was shocked to read that, as their first move after taking power, members of the new House majority approved a rules package that includes weakening the Office of Congressional Ethics.The Office of Congressional Ethics is one of the only safeguards against corruption in Congress. It provides independent nonpartisan oversight and accountability, ensuring that members of Congress work for the people, not special interests. Over the years, it has done its job, shedding light on shady dealings by representatives of both parties.It should go without saying, but nearly every American wants less corruption, not more. What possible explanation could the new majority have for opening the door to less transparency and more corruption?

Confidence in government is already low because Congress consistently fails to deliver on the issues people care about. Gutting this important ethics office will only make things worse.I am disappointed that the House voted to open the floodgates to corruption. The American people are watching. I hope the 118th Congress reconsiders and makes anti-corruption a priority.Balbina Hyler, Parrish

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ballantrae stuck with debris, DeSantis tarnishing New College jewel