Readers comment on the Inflation Reduction Act, comparing Gainesville to Winter Garden and more
Climate solutions
The climate, relatively stable for centuries, is entering a new phase. In 2020, 22 major weather and climate events in the U.S. resulted in 262 deaths, with each causing more than $1 billion in damages. This trend is continuing with heat waves, extended droughts, extended wildfire seasons, and increased coastal and river flooding.
The Inflation Reduction Act recently passed the U.S. Senate and may reach a vote in the House of Representatives soon. This bill is forecasted to reduce U.S. carbon emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. Provisions in the act will also spur an economic boom, boosting the gross domestic product nearly 1% in 2030.
Some provisions do require auctions for oil and gas on federal lands, as well as completing several 2022 lease auctions that were previously cancelled, prior to auctions for renewable energy projects on federal lands and water. However, these provisions are far outweighed by benefits to the climate. For every ton of new emissions generated by the Inflation Reduction Act's oil and gas provisions, at least 24 tons of emissions will be prevented by the clean energy provisions.
Please contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-5744 and urge Rep. Kat Cammack to vote for climate solutions and pass this bill.
Kathleen W. Pagan, Climate Reality Gainesville-area chapter
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Readers comment on candidates for School Board, mayor and City Commission
Sense of community
I watched a piece about Winter Garden on PBS recently, and thought about Gainesville just 10 years ago. What a shame the city fathers didn't/don't have the foresight, wisdom and sense of community that the Winter Garden folks have.
The difference between what Gainesville was, and now is, makes me cry.
Rob Roberts, Gainesville
Insulting plan
The plan to allow veterans to teach in Florida public schools without degrees is insulting to teachers, students and veterans alike.
Nancy O'Malley, Alachua
Gainesville needs Ward
Harvey Ward is Gainesville.
When I was a kid, my dad took me to the Tackle Box at East University Avenue and Hawthorne Road on Saturday mornings before a day fishing. Harvey’s family built that business.
I grew up in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Harvey has long been a faithful member of the congregation and a church employee — managing the church foundation. Harvey and I share an alma mater, Eastside High School. I get local news from WUFT, where Harvey ran fundraising.
Harvey and I first worked together before he even joined the City Commission. We jointly ran a campaign to move Gainesville’s elections to the fall cycle so people could more easily vote for city candidates. That work paid off and this election cycle will be the first time Gainesville chooses our mayor at the same time as other elected offices.
Right now, Gainesville needs a mayor who understands this community — east and west. We need a mayor who has based his career in building community institutions, like his church. We need a mayor with experience, like Harvey’s previous two terms on the City Commission.
Right now, Gainesville needs a mayor like Harvey Ward.
Thomas Hawkins, Gainesville
Leadership with integrity
Christian Newman brings the integrity and common-sense leadership needed for Gainesville and our City Commission. Our friend since childhood, we have firsthand knowledge of his practicality, honesty and decency.
We’ve known Christian from youth soccer in the 1970s, or from Fort Clarke Middle School or Eastside High School in the 1980s. Christian is a true Gainesville local — a public school graduate, twice a University of Florida graduate, an Eastside High school science teacher, an environmental biologist and a small business owner in Gainesville. We trust Christian; Gainesville can too. Christian is not a professional politician, and he will serve without ulterior motives.
In recent years Christian has been a school district lunch buddy at Lake Forest, coached the Eastside High School girls soccer team, volunteered with Gainesville For All and served on the City Plan Board. Christian serves for one reason: He cares about Gainesville. We wholeheartedly support Christian Newman’s candidacy for City Commission, District 4.
Bring integrity and common-sense leadership to the Gainesville City Commission: Vote for Christian Newman on Aug. 23.
Erica Bloomberg-Johnson, Cathy Clayton Boon, Greg Groom, Andrea Holbrook, Lauren Indelicato, Jeffrey King, Will Olinger, Tucker Ryals and Eric Wubbel, Gainesville
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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Letters on Inflation Reduction Act, Gainesville, Winter Garden, more
