Letters to the Editor: Jan. 22, 2022

Brightline is an unsafe boondoggle that will never be self-sustaining

How many folks still believe the advertised agenda of Brightline; that it's going to be a self-sustainable entity with South Florida's residents’ and tourists’ best interests at heart

If that were the case why has Brightline delayed replacing the century-old bridge over the St. Lucie River, and continued to minimize the safety risk posed to the communities its trains are beginning to pass through at higher speeds than are allowed on interstate highways?

Brightline is using a tried-and-true method of deception. Begin a massive project, and when things go sideways, request federal assistance to complete the undertaking. Rick Scott, our former Republican governor, recognized the fallacy of publicly supported high-speed trains when voters approved such an undertaking 10 years ago. He knew then the costs were unsustainable. He vetoed the state-sponsored bill, and it died, as it should have.

How many more lives must be lost before local and state legislators demand Brightline completely segregate the railroad tracks from access? The minimal fencing and landscaping they've deployed won't prevent determined people, or innocent animals, from wandering onto their easement. I-95, the Turnpike, and every high-speed highway in the state have more safety devices in place to prevent tragedy than have been required of Brightline.

With their trains whizzing through hundreds of at-grade crossings, and hurtling along hundreds of miles of unguarded easement, Brightline is more dangerous to our communities than ever. We must demand our leaders act to protect us physically and financially.

Steve Heck, Port St. Lucie

A Florida East Coast Railway crew member stands by as a northbound Brightline qualifying train passes through the westbound traffic lanes of S.R. 60 at Commerce Avenue on Jan. 18, 2022, in downtown Vero Beach.
A Florida East Coast Railway crew member stands by as a northbound Brightline qualifying train passes through the westbound traffic lanes of S.R. 60 at Commerce Avenue on Jan. 18, 2022, in downtown Vero Beach.

Small businesses need fair postal rates for package shipping

An important focus to our chamber is to help small businesses succeed. To succeed, we need a level playing field.

For shipping through the United States Postal Service, many businesses overpay, except Amazon. Tech giant Amazon is pushing to keep its USPS shipping rates artificially low, an indirect taxpayer subsidy to the market-dominating online retailer that comes at the expense of both small businesses and other customers of the USPS mail service.

By lobbying to keep USPS package shipping rates artificially low, while at the same time dumping its unprofitable businesses (such as rural delivery) onto the USPS, Amazon and the Package Coalition are likely bankrupting the USPS. Many of our members require fair mailing rates to remain viable and competitive, and I hope our Florida senators will support transparency in pricing because small businesses depend on it.

Julio Fuentes is the president & CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Wellington.

The record of the Biden administration keeps getting worse

This administration’s record just gets worse. So far we have the now-disgraced BLM and Antifa movements replaced with the absurd statements that Jan. 6 is equivalent to Pearl Harbor, the Civil War and 9/11. We have members of the Supreme Court providing incorrect information on COVID-19 statistics. We have statistics illustrating how few press conferences given by President Biden compared with those by the last five presidents. And of course, let's not forget the southern border, missing Americans and allies in Afghanistan, lack of COVID-19 testing facilities, mixed messaging from King Fauci, closing of schools, and more.

Now we have the Food and Drug Administration indicating that COVID-19 drug treatments should be dispensed, not based on need and degree of sickness, oh, no — priority should be given to those of a minority color. Now I am not against providing those who have little or no health coverage with the means to get better, but not based primarily on the color of their skin.

Isn't there enough minority angst in our country without piling this on ? The Biden administration was supposed to be the "bringer of peace and harmony.” So far. it has missed the mark.

Ray Mancari, Vero Beach

Florida anthem mandates
Florida anthem mandates

Two key bills would protect voting rights: Why is Senate stalling on action?

Since the 2020 election, 19 states have enacted 33 new laws that restrict access to the ballot box under the guise of preserving election integrity, including Florida. I see this as infringement of the fundamental right of our democracy.

There are two key bills before Congress that would protect and bolster the ability of a citizen to cast a ballot. The Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747) contains provisions that will make elections more accessible, transparent and secure. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.4) will restore vital voting protections by ensuring that states do not pass discriminatory laws that restrict access to the ballot box.

The majority of Americans are in favor of these bills. The Senate has stalled action on these bills via the filibuster. It is time to enact filibuster reforms, pass these bills, and bolster our democracy.

I urge citizens to contact Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and ask them to vote for these bills.

Tracy Booth, Palm City

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Letters to the Editor: Jan. 22, 2022