Letters: Sea-level rise is a given, especially in Jacksonville. We are losing the battle.

Losing battle on climate change

I lived in Ponte Vedra Beach for 20 years before moving to Arlington to avoid the traffic, population explosion and threat of rising seas. What will people in Ponte Vedra do over the next 40 years, when sea level rise brings the coastline inland by thousands of feet, wiping out all those multi-million dollar homes?

More importantly, why are people still building in those areas when they will literally be underwater in a few years?

We have waited too long to slow down this future and now it is a full-blown emergency, but nobody seems to be paying attention. Fossil fuels, based on science that any rational person believes, are directly responsible for the most rapid environmental change our world has ever seen. Yet, fossil fuel use is increasing in our country.

The only hope for fighting this now is to aggressively pursue the total elimination of fossil fuels. Even with such a “war footing” response, the negative environmental effects will only be slowed, not stopped, until all countries in the world stop using chemicals that hurt the atmosphere.

That’s a tall order at best. If all developed countries stop using fossil fuels immediately, civilization has a chance to survive the incredible change that is coming. Florida will be the petri dish for America; the canary in the coal mine.

It will become too hot to live in most parts of Florida. The seas will rise and some estimates are that it will be a mile or two inland. The storms will be far worse and more destructive, so insurance will be even less affordable than it is now.

Yet, many people still act like nothing is happening and stick their heads in the sand. Wake up and stop this madness.

Peter Bishop, Jacksonville

Mental health or migrants?

We do not blame one party over the other on our country’s mental health crisis. However, we do hold both sides accountable for their inaction. At some point our legislators must quit the finger-pointing and infighting, and meet in the middle of the aisle.

Admittedly, the mental health crisis is just one of many problems, but with what we see on the streets (and the warehousing of the mentally ill in our jails), fragile lives are in the balance. Despite election season now in full swing, we are not hearing enough on this subject, by either candidates or the media.

We often question our country’s priorities. Last November, the House Committee on Homeland Security released an interim report detailing the immense financial costs of the border crisis. It stated, "According to one estimate, housing and other services just to those who have been released into the United States could exceed $451 billion."

But key to our frustration was another report, indicating that just $8.1 billion is requested for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the budget submitted to Congress by President Joe Biden for the 2025 fiscal year.

The difference in priorities is all too obvious.

We keep hearing American politicians tout their legacy. My question is, shouldn't those vulnerable citizens legally within our borders receive as much consideration as those gathering at our borders?

Does this mental health disaster represent the legacy for which we want our society to be remembered?

Richard & Kathleen Marquis, St. Augustine

Wisdom of 'Death with Dignity’ laws

When a person is terminally ill with cancer and the future has no promise of relief, should that person have a right to seek repose in death? Fortunately, some states have enacted legislation that provides the terminally ill with the right to end their life (and their suffering) in a painless and dignified manner if they so choose.

The main adversary of what have been called “Death with Dignity” laws has been the Catholic Church, which views a person taking their own life as a sin — an interference with God’s plan. I’ve always wondered why some religious people, so opposed to a terminally ill person choosing to end his or her endless suffering, willingly interfere with God’s plan with defibrillators, pacemakers and organ transplants.

No one should be forced to endure unspeakable pain and suffering just to satisfy the religious beliefs of others. A terminally sick person of sound mind should have every right to request and receive a painless, dignified death. If these new laws promote anything, they honor a person’s final act of freedom.

Centuries ago the Roman philosopher Seneca said: “There is this one blessing that while life has but one entrance, it has exits innumerable, and as I choose the house in which I live, the ship in which I will sail, so will I choose the time and manner of my death.”

Thankfully, the wisdom of a pagan philosopher has begun to prevail — although it took some time.

Borden Applegate, Jacksonville Beach

Clay County voters must do better

The 2024 Primary Election started with little fanfare and fizzled out with barely more than 18% turnout in Clay County. Slightly over 28,000 voters (out of more than 150,000 registered Clay voters) took the opportunity to cast a ballot.

That means about 122,000 voters (81%) deemed that this election was not worthy of their attention and a small number of voters decided the representation for everything from U.S. Senate to the School Board.

This is appalling, especially given that voters have 45 days to vote by mail, 10 days (100 hours) of early voting at seven locations throughout our county, culminating with 12 hours of Election Day availability at each of the 45 polling locations.

The Clay County Elections Office hires about 460 election workers at nearly $240,000 in payroll. This cost does not include necessary election materials, postage, equipment and other personnel, which easily adds another $100,000 to $150,000.

But the most staggering fact is that the price tag is not dependent on voter turnout. That money is spent whether turnout is 18% or 99%.

Elections have consequences and consequences have repercussions. Clay County deserves better, you deserve better, our children and grandchildren deserve better and our future depends on it.

Chris Chambless, Clay County supervisor of elections, Green Cove Springs

Save Our Homes hurts renters

Much is being said about the high rental rates that are negatively affecting Americans. I think one cause of high rents in Florida is the Save Our Homes law. This law limits the annual increase of taxable value of a house to 3% — if the house is homesteaded. For a rental house, however, the annual increase can be as much as 10%.

I own a small house that I rent out and the property taxes on my rental house have increased almost 60% in the last five years. I have had to increase the rent to cover this tax increase.

I would propose that if a house is being used as a rental, the annual increase in taxable value should be capped at a lower percentage — like a house that has the homestead limit. That would help keep the cost for rental homes affordable to Floridians.

John Cole, Jacksonville Beach

Seeing America’s ‘better angels’

In her address to the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20, Michelle Obama said “Don’t sit around and complain about things. Do something.” The former First Lady reminded us that our rights and freedoms are not guaranteed, but require vigilance for democracy to work.

She effectively contrasted former President Donald Trump with Vice President Kamala Harris. She evoked our shared American values of decency and humanity, which are “the antidote to the darkness and division.” She called on all Americans to stand up for our basic freedoms — respect, dignity and empathy — as the foundation of our democracy.

In an analysis of her speech, commentator Jonathan Capehart, a Black, gay American, emotionally described his takeaway as feeling “seen.” He said, “…I want to live in a country where people feel ‘seen’.” The greatness of America is on full display when we elect leaders who “see us” and relate to America’s better angels.

Karen Adler, Jacksonville

Dimming of the Fuller Warren

When we first moved here in 2007, the base buttresses of the Fuller Warren Bridge were each illuminated with 102 lamps that are all still in place. Over the years they went dead, one after another until ultimately all have gone dark.

I’ve made dozens of calls and written multiple letters to the City of Jacksonville, Florida Department of Transportation and the city’s electrical department, but no one can seem to figure out how to relight this beautiful bridge. The state says it is responsible for traffic lighting, but the city takes care of enhancement lighting (like the base of the Acosta Bridge).

I hope someone out there has the wherewithal to get the right people involved to get these lamps working again. I really miss the beauty it gave our downtown.

Paul Poidomani, Riverside

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida, U.S. have waited too long to slow down climate change