Letters: As mayoral runoff approaches, candidates' campaign tactics speak volumes

Although I am not a Democrat, I would like to commend the Democratic mayoral candidates from our last election — Audrey Gibson and Donna Deegan — for refusing to engage in negative campaign tactics.

They kept their campaigns positive and stuck to the issues. The same is true of Republican candidate Al Ferraro.

Prior to the election, I wrote letters to the political action committees for Daniel Davis and LeAnna Cumber, as well as to the chairman of the Duval County Republican Party. They were polite letters, addressing the subject of negative attack ads on television and in the mail. I went to the post office, stood in line, paid postage and mailed all the negative ads back to their respective campaigns and the Republican Party chair with handwritten letters enclosed.

I have yet to receive the favor of a reply from anyone. However, since the negative attack ads have resumed — this time against Ms. Deegan — I guess that I have received my reply.

Negative campaigns and low voter expectations have resulted in low voter turnout for our city’s most important elections. Duval County voters and the City of Jacksonville deserve better than this.

I grew up on Jacksonville’s Westside. My parents taught me that when you speak ill of others, it only reflects badly on yourself and your family. So, if someone is willing to say or do anything to be elected to office, what is he or she going to do once they get there? Does that person reflect your personal, spiritual or family values?

Think about it and vote accordingly.

Pamela Dow LaPete, licensed social worker, Jacksonville

Help restore hope for LGBTQIA+ youth

I write in support of JASMYN and of the important work they have been doing for the past 28 years for LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults in Northeast Florida. Specifically, I’d like to encourage the community to come together and support their 12th annual Strides for Pride 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, April 23.

Strides for Pride carries a strong mini-Pride vibe and was voted “Best 5K” by Folio Weekly voters, hosted by the organization they chose as their “Best Nonprofit.”

All proceeds from Strides for Pride benefit LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults who come to JASMYN for programs or services. JASMYN is the only youth center in Northeast Florida dedicated to LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults.

Many people don’t know exactly what JASMYN does. For example, they:

• Provide HIV prevention and counseling. This has been at the heart of JASMYN since its inception 28 years ago.

• Provide mental health counseling and referrals. We see daily calls for greater availability of treatment for mental health and JASMYN provides exactly that. Provide housing support, making available laundry, showers, counseling and housing assistance to homeless youth.

• Most importantly, restore hope, ignite dreams and provide safety for at-risk teens and young adults.

In summary, the care and nurturing of LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults takes more than just JASMYN, it takes our whole community. And especially at this time of love and rebirth, we should walk the walk and support JASMYN by registering for Strides for Pride at jasmyn.org.

Robert Hudson, longtime JASMYN supporter and member of its Community Trustee Council

Reverse CMS decision on Alzheimer’s drugs

I am living with Alzheimer’s disease and for me, more time is everything. More time to spend with my family and friends to enjoy life and appreciate all it has to offer. New treatments recently approved by the FDA have been shown to do just that, give people like me more time. But the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have stolen that.

Due to CMS’ coverage decision nearly two years ago, these treatments are only available to those who can afford to pay out-of-pocket. Let me be clear — CMS covers all FDA-approved drugs except for this class of drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. Worse yet, CMS doubled down in February by refusing to reconsider its policy despite a request from the Alzheimer's Association to reverse course. A request that had broad bipartisan congressional support, I might add.

Rep. John Rutherford must demand that CMS reverse this terrible decision. Likewise, I urge him to support three bipartisan bills: NAPA Reauthorization Act (HR 619), Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (HR 620) and the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act (HR 1637). We must also continue to build research funding at the National Institutes of Health on Alzheimer’s disease through a $321 million increase for the 2024 fiscal year.

Vena Patton, Jacksonville

Grandpa’s advice for future candidate

Gov. DeSantis is young enough to be my grandson, so I'll give him a bit of unsolicited grandfatherly advice for his likely presidential run: Tailor your statements and local political agenda to appeal to the majority of voters nationwide.

Per recent polls, roughly 75% of the citizenry want reasonable limits on abortion, not an outright ban. Your Republican-dominated legislature is passing a bill which will effectively make any abortion illegal. At six weeks, a lot of women don't even know they are pregnant. How they deal with a pregnancy is a personal, moral decision.

We are not a theocracy. About the same percent nationwide want (if possible) more control over firearms, not less. And to refer to Mr. Putin's invasion of the Ukraine as a “territorial dispute" that the U.S. should not be involved in — that looks a bit naïve.

Not to mention seeming uninformed about European history over the last 70 years regarding the former USSR and Mr. Putin's desire to resurrect it.

Loren Seeley, Jacksonville

Praise for Deegan’s positive approach

We have just completed "Round 1” of the election cycle, observing several Republican candidates (including Mr. Davis) who spent time not discussing how they can improve the city, but throwing dirt on their opponents. Now Mr. Davis has started using the same tactics in his race against Ms. Deegan.

I for one am tired of gutter-style politics, which is why I am voting for Ms. Deegan. She has yet to utter one disparaging word against any opponent. Instead, she has spent time outlining her plan to groups across our city — as one who is a professional should do. That is the positive approach I want in someone who leads our city government.

Mayors have the responsibility to ensure that our city functions in the most positive fashion possible for all residents; Ms. Deegan has shown her desire to do that very thing.

David Stimpson, Jacksonville

Protests are fine, but learn to spell

It was interesting to see the picture posted on the April 2 editorial page of a student protest at UNF against “facisim” in education, according to the signs they were holding. That’s intriguing because there is no such word.

These are supposed to be college students and they are showing their objection to “facisim” in education, along with their inability to spell? I have to assume they are talking about fascism, but one has to wonder if they even know the meaning of the word.

The protest was organized by the Students for Democratic Society and Students United for Workers’ Advocacy, which sound like carryover labels from the Soviet era. Seems to me we really do need some Fascism in Education — along with more attention to spelling in the classroom.

William Gulliford, Atlantic Beach

Local GOP must unite

Where is the unity among Jacksonville Republicans? We just weathered the poorest Duval voter turnout in 20 years (only 25%) at the March 21 "playoff" election. Now Republican Daniel Davis will face off against Democrat Donna Deegan in the May 16 "championship" election.

Does anyone care about our city? I get that the first election was a dirty, name-calling mess. Can we get over it? When will Al Ferraro, LeAnna Cumber and Frank Keasler get behind our Republican candidate? Listen, I will gladly apologize for the ugliness before March 21, but please ― let's put away our divisiveness and pick up our heads as we take our friends and family to the polls.

Paul Gruenther, Northside

Let's move forward with Medicaid expansion

I'd like to add to the April 2 editorial on Medicaid expansion by Dr. Nancy Staats.

Medicaid expansion would insure an additional 1.5 million Floridians. The federal government will cover 90% of the cost and the states will pick up the rest (in North Carolina the hospitals have agreed to pick up the remaining 10%). It is estimated that the expansion would add $5 billion to Florida's GDP.

By delaying the expansion, the governor and the legislature have already cost Floridians more than $50 billion. It's been 13 years since the Affordable Care Act was passed — isn't it time we move ahead with this?

Scott Schleifer, Jacksonville

Time to recognize local rock

I recently ran across a City Council agenda that included a resolution to recognize Gary Rossington for his achievements in the world of music.

I believe this is the first time a rock musician from this town has ever been feted. Jazz pianist Marcus Roberts (born in Tallahassee) got a proclamation in the 1980s and Miami recording engineer Tom Dowd earned one for his work with Jacksonville musicians in 2000.

Rock music is one of the few things this city is famous for, so come on city leaders — let's exploit the heck out of it.

Michael Ray FitzGerald, Westside

Why finance Shad Khan?

Forbes magazine recently reported that Shad Khan is the 144th richest individual in the world. On April 7, The Florida Times-Union also reported that he is the second wealthiest owner of a National Football League team in the AFC, while in first place is a member of the Walton family (founders of Walmart), who recently purchased the Denver Broncos franchise.

Jacksonville has better use for its limited money than financing a billionaire. Our citizens should not pay for Khan’s "proposed plans."

Paul Heck, Jacksonville

Medicaid expansion helps rural areas

An April 2 letter from Dr. Nancy Staats, advocating Medicaid expansion in Florida, also pointed out that a Republican legislature in North Carolina has agreed to expand coverage. That leaves only 10 states free of it.

One reason for the change of heart in Raleigh is the pressing need for additional revenue to keep alive rural hospitals and medical facilities.

Michael Hoffmann, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Gibson and Deegan were class act with mayoral campaigns