Readers comment on reducing local occupancy limits, anti-Semitic leaflets and more
Fuel for party houses
The recent zoning debate has hit close to home for me, specifically removing the limit of three unrelated people per single-family rental home. The change has been supported by a narrow margin by the City Commission. It is still in process, and I hope it fails one of its subsequent steps.
I live in a quiet old neighborhood with a fair mix of rentals. I own a couple myself. I have had some nice offers, but am not interested in selling. Why? For the same reason I bought them: to preserve our neighborhood.
We have seen what out-of-town landlords do. They stuff as many students as they can in their places, fail to maintain the property and don't hold their tenants to be civil neighbors.
I do rent to students, but many kids clearly are not ready to maintain homes and have not learned to be courteous neighbors. I only rent to those that are older, more responsible and are ready to take care of a home and be a good neighbor.
How, under the new code, would you stop a 2,000-plus square foot house from becoming a party house with eight fraternity students, eight cars, frequents parties, traffic, lots of trash and noise? That is exactly what will happen. We get that now, to a smaller degree, with the current code.
Chris Monahan, Gainesville
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Stand up to hatred
The perpetrators spreading anti-Semitic leaflets painfully revealed the importance of understanding world history. Let’s honor those who fought and died in World War II by standing up to the current forces of hatred and prevent this from ever happening again.
Alice Gridley, Gainesville
Discuss environmental concerns
Cinema Verde is pleased to present another live film screening focused on local environmental concerns and sustainable solutions. Since those solutions depend on good governance and solid science, we invite all whose names are on the Alachua County ballot for our August elections to join us and share your thoughts and positions on environmental topics affecting our community.
Environmental issues affect the health and well-being of all citizens and all living creatures on Earth, regardless of religion, skin color, geographic region, language or economic status. While some entities have used these issues to divide and manipulate us, their motivations are about profit, not health.
We need competent leadership to guide us into a healthy future. Cinema Verde is here to bring you knowledge about our environmental concerns and the solutions we need at www.CinemaVerde.org, where you'll find environmental news each day as well as films we've curated over the years.
Please join us to discuss local environmental concerns and solutions with Florida candidates in the upcoming election. We’ll meet 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 at Cypress and Grove Brewery, 1001 NW 4th St. In Gainesville. We look forward to a thoughtful discussion about your future and your children’s health!
Trish Riley, director, www.CinemaVerde.org
Self-serving interference
A New York Times investigation discovered that the State Financial Officers Foundation uses government muscle and public funds to punish companies that work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All members of this nonprofit organization are Republicans. Florida’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, is an officer.
Using their government positions, members have barred banks that reduce their investments in coal from getting state government contracts. They have blocked state agencies from investing in businesses that cut ties with fossil fuel companies. They plan to stack federal courts with judges opposing climate action, and have blocked President Joe Biden’s nominees, calling one an “anti-energy climate change alarmist” for wanting financial regulators to police climate risks more thoroughly.
Government, banks and businesses must oppose this blocking of efforts to halt the overheating that endangers us. Our climate will worsen until we stop the global temperature rise. That will be hard enough without any self-serving interference.
John Ward, Gainesville
Bad for democracy
It is so unfortunate what has taken firm roots in the hearts of 70 million or so Americans. Even after the ghastly Jan. 6 attack on the most sacred temple of American democracy, the Capitol, Trump-supported candidates are winning primaries after primary. Even Republican members of Congress, who are supposed to show the right path to the masses, are following Trump blindly.
This does not augur well for the American democracy. God save America!
Nand Sharma, Gainesville
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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Letters on reducing occupancy limits, anti-Semitic leaflets, more
