Letters: DCPS removal of book on Roberto Clemente sparks far-reaching feelings

I am a former reporter for WJXT and then at WJCT as host of the nightly program, "Feedback.” I now live in Pittsburgh, but still have friends in Jacksonville and visit often.

The Feb. 10 lead story on the evening news here in Pittsburgh was the Duval County school board’s decision to pull from libraries a book on the life of Roberto Clemente.

He was a local hero, not just for his 18 years as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but as a philanthropist and someone deeply involved in the community. After he died in a plane crash while ferrying relief supplies to Nicaragua, this city mourned. Pittsburgh named one of its main bridges after Clemente, the Heinz History Center has an exhibit on him and PNC Park has a statue in his honor.

He is beloved by all who knew and worked with him. His late wife and sons still live here.

Clemente is a part of our local and national fabric; I do not understand why anyone would hide it.

KDKA spent seven minutes trying to explain this. The author of the banned book said it was because he included a mention of the racism Clemente encountered during his life, describing it as "an integral part of his story.”

When I arrived in Jacksonville in 1965, Duval County had the largest system of disaccredited public schools in the nation. Others may be too young to remember this, but I am not. It comes back to me as I read what is happening in “the bold new city of the South.”

You are not just denying your children Clemente’s story but those in nearly 200 other books. Jacksonville author Rodney Hurst’s book, "Unless WE Tell It . . . It Never Gets Told!” is among them. He told it — but your school board removes it.

I draw no conclusions nor cast blame. I simply present the facts and invite you to see yourselves as others might —and, if you choose, to act.

James H. Lewis, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Misuse of police uniforms

Recently, a photo was published showing Sheriff T.K. Waters in his police uniform as he endorsed Daniel Davis for Mayor. That was ironic, as during the recent special election, JSO’s interim sheriff, Pat Ivey, allowed former officer Waters to wear his uniform while he denied that same right to former officer Lakesha Burton. I can only guess that he did this because he supported the Republican Waters for sheriff, while he opposed the Democrat Burton for that office.

Significantly, it appears that Ivey violated the First Amendment and Section 1983. The U.S. Supreme Court in Schacht v. United States held that the government had violated the First Amendment when it had created an "actor's exception" that allowed the use of a military uniform in a play only if the play did not "discredit" the military.

Then, in Latino Officers Assn, N.Y. v. City of New York, a federal court held that the NYPD could not prohibit the Latino Officers Association from wearing their uniforms during a parade because the NYPD had already allowed at least 25 organizations to wear their uniforms in similar parades. Finally, in Local 491 v. Gwinnett County, the court held that a Georgia county could not prohibit officers from wearing their uniforms while speaking at commission meetings, since the policy had not been enforced evenhandedly and in a content-neutral fashion.

In my opinion, Ivey violated the First Amendment when he did not allow Burton to wear her uniform while he allowed Waters to do so. In fact, he even exposed the JSO to potential liability for violating section 1983. He should be held accountable for his actions

Terry D. Bork, Esq., Jacksonville 

How to end partisan politics

As a resident of Duval County for more than 40 years, I love Jacksonville and all its potential. But the political wrangling in city government seems to be rising to a fever pitch.

City Council candidates must raise an unprecedented sum of money to compete and we have just witnessed a suspect redistricting process. Council members are also being pressured to follow the party line. If not, they risk being ostracized by their party, fellow council members and the mayor’s office.

The common thread would seem to be political party-affiliated city council members.

A recent survey conducted by the International City/County Management Association, published by the National League of Cities reveals that a city council candidate’s political party is identified on the ballot in only 20% of respondents. Plus, council members in two-thirds of responding cities are elected at-large, rather than by district.

How refreshing would this be for Duval County? Candidates would be less focused on partisan politics and more concerned with the welfare of our city. They might also be able to moderate significant campaign fundraising efforts, thus liberating them from becoming beholden to special interest groups.

Candidates would focus more on how best to serve their constituents and less on the "R" or "D” beside their name on the ballot. Hopefully, voters would choose based on a candidate’s experience and platform, rather than voting by party.

I challenge our City Council to put this proposal on the table for debate and then let voters make the call.

Brooks Andrews, Jacksonville

‘Two cents’ on classified documents

While serving as a cryptologist in the U.S. Navy for 16 years, I held a top-secret special intelligence security clearance and was privy to highly sensitive classified material. As I recall, I was subject to a $10,000 fine, 10 years in prison and a less than honorable discharge if I breached this sacred trust.

The recklessness in protecting classified material demonstrated by presidents Biden and Trump is downright outrageous. Sadly, there are probably a number of other elected officials, including Vice President Pence and other Washington bureaucrats (past and present), who are guilty of mishandling highly sensitive classified material.

Every individual entrusted with classified documents, no matter his or her status in government, must be held accountable for breaking the trust of "We the People." Stating that it was an honest mistake is a feeble excuse, since classified documents should never be removed from secure facilities.

During my service and since retiring from active duty in 1983, I have never divulged any classified material from those days. This is in fulfillment of an undying commitment to "Duty, Honor, Country."

Robert W. Wilford, Jacksonville

Frightened by possible Social Security cuts

Sen. Rick Scott and some other politicians are talking about ending Social Security.

As someone who is close to retirement, this is frightening. I have contributed to this program for more than 40 years and am counting on the future benefits. However, as an actuary who has actually read the Social Security Trustees Report, I can tell you that the program does need to be fixed

Based on best estimate assumptions, the report says that full benefits cannot be paid after 2034. Under law, this means that benefits must be reduced. The current Social Security report projects a reduction of 20% to benefits after 2034.

Roughly 65 million people receive Social Security benefits and — for many — it is the only source of income. Can you imagine the social and economic disaster of a 20% cut in income for this group? if you can't, think of the Depression.

Scott Schleifer, Jacksonville

Politicians: Just do your job

Like most Floridians (based on election results), I have no problem with Gov. DeSantis dismantling runaway bureaucracies at taxpayer funded colleges and universities. I'm also vehemently against mandated diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) workshops for students, faculty and staff. That's like mandating religious workshops for everyone — it's ideologically narrow-minded and wrong.

In my mind, DEI programs have become overbearing and ironically divisive. They're stereotypes of the Puritanical scolds who hold too much sway in the modern culture wars. Nevertheless, what I'd suggest to DeSantis and his team as they go about dismantling a burdensome administrative state is: Just shut up and do it.

The loud-mouth chest-thumping, belligerent preening, the finger-wagging and sanctimony is getting tiresome. How about this — drop the self-aggrandizing churlishness, grow up and just do your job.

Mike Disch, Neptune Beach

MOSH campus misses the mark

I went to MOSH last weekend. The museum, as always, is a great place to visit.

However, as I entered the adjacent parking lot, I thought I was in a third world country. There is a dilapidated guard shack at the entrance (been like that for years, now) and then a limited parking area.

I would think that — for very little money — the city could make this area at least somewhat presentable. We also walked around the Friendship Fountain. It didn't look very friendly to me with a fence all the way around it.

Shouldn’t those fountain renovations be done by now?

Rich Horvath, Ponte Vedra

Jax ‘politics as usual’

The investigation into LeAnna Cumber by the City Council is an awful inside look at Jax "politics as usual." The two council members who filed the complaint against Ms. Cumber (Rory Diamond and Nick Howland) are on the committee. Mr. Diamond, the committee chair, will be absent for the next three months and was assigned by the City Council President Terrance Freeman, who was aware of Diamond's planned absence.

Diamond's many comments as chair were extraordinarily prejudicial and out of place in any committee setting. This is a very bad idea.

Anita T. Dunford, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: School board shouldn't hide Roberto Clemente's full story