Sunday's letters: Embrace positive mantras in 2023, learn from hiring mistakes

Let’s create a kinder world in 2023

Now that 2022 is behind us, let’s move beyond bickering and nonproductive discourse by embracing mantras that hopefully take us to a better place.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

∎ Less whine, more wonder.

∎ Seek to be awed.

∎ Seek progress, not perfection.

∎ Carve your name on hearts, not marble.

∎ Seek truth before justice.

∎ Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly.

∎ May you live all the days of your life.

∎ Be intentional with your thoughtful mind and generous heart.

More:How to send a letter to the editor

These impactful mantras keep me grounded and open to meaningful dialogue with my fellow humanoids. Feel free to adopt some or all of these. Better yet, create your own list.

We can make a kinder world in 2023.

Bob Robinson, Venice

Board must learn from past hiring mistakes

For years, Sarasota County School Boards never seemed to choose the right fit when they select a new superintendent.

Could it be that we don’t attract exceptional candidates? Is our selection process flawed in not researching the full history or actual accomplishments of the applicants? Do we allow committees or cliques to influence the decisions?

More:High turnover rate of Sarasota superintendents

More:Asplen will leave Sarasota County's school district, but accountability must stay

Because of poor choices, for years our students have suffered through:

∎ A superintendent implementing costly technology programs, only to be a flop.

∎ Schools deteriorating because maintenance programs were ignored and we had no annual building inspections.

∎ All building for schools stopped for a year due to escalating costs.

∎ Ridiculously large superintendent selection committees, as reported in 2003 by the Herald-Tribune. “70 groups participating in the selection committee where the semifinalists will be interviewed by six different 15-member panels (I was a member of one) representing education, administration, parents, students, union officials, nonprofits, religious, ethnic and community leaders.”

Then, in 2006, we were talking about revolving superintendents again as the current one quit, then quit for good in 2008.

More:What will superintendent search look like?

Before we begin the latest search for a superintendent, the School Board needs to learn from past mistakes, work through community differences and make a commitment to bring us all together, as it moves forward to do what is best for our students.

Carole Nikla, Sarasota

Power struggle for control of GOP

In his guest column Dec. 29, Jim Talent urges the newly elected members of the Republican Party to quickly select Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House. His opinion is not surprising to those who know what is going on here in Sarasota and other counties in Florida.

In the ranks of Republicans in Florida and across the nation, there is a power struggle for control of the Republican Party between the America First faction and the Establishment faction.

Currently, the Establishment in this county holds control, the Executive Committee of Sarasota County having elected Establishment Republicans to three of the four positions on the committee.

But there is an ongoing struggle. It is not the same in other counties, where America First candidates took control of their RECs and are challenging the national organization for treasurer of the Republican National Committee, in addition to House speaker.

Consider the bias in Talent. He was an adviser to Mitt Romney’s 2008 campaign for president and currently is a lobbyist in Washington. He is the quintessential Establishment Republican, and his opinion is undoubtedly tainted by that bias.

Larry Wilson, Venice

Stuck at airport? Go with the flow

It is very unfortunate to read about the chaos at airports regarding flight cancellations and delays.

I realize that after the isolation of COVID many people want to see their families, especially at Christmastime. However, this weather was forecast long before it hit. (Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.)

Does anyone think about what airline personnel are going through? I spent 43 years in the airline industry and have faced baggage pileups and lines of people who are already angry when you report to work.

These ticket agents, ramp workers and flight crews should be commended, as “acts of God” are not their fault.

They are also stressed and close to nervous breakdowns! Lighten up and go with the flow.

Think of the migrants in El Paso, needing a little warmth and food for their children. And Ukrainians at war with nowhere to live. Stop being selfish.

Joan Lansinger, Bradenton

READER QUESTION

What should the city of Sarasota do with Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall? Leave as is, renovate or replace it with the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center?

Send us your letter of no more than 200 words, along with your full name, address and phone number. Email your letter to editor.letters@heraldtribune.com.

Opinion:New performing arts center will enrich Sarasota in countless ways

Opinion:New center a 'want,' not a 'need'

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Make a kinder world in new year, power struggle in GOP