Sunday's letters: Governor quick to act on Idalia, but not on climate change

DeSantis fails to focus on climate change

While I, like every other Floridian, anxiously awaited the landfall of Hurricane Idalia last week, I heard Gov. Ron DeSantis come on the television.

While he read off fact after fact, statistic after statistic, I was left feeling angered by his ignorance. It does not take a genius to realize that hurricanes are getting stronger and stronger, a direct result of climate change.

But instead of combating climate change with his party’s supermajority in the state Legislature, he is more interested in bullying district attorneys, fighting Mickey Mouse and wielding his power as governor to influence my education and that of countless others.

DeSantis is following a long line of public officials, from both sides of the aisle, who will react to an ensuing disaster for a photo op but won't work to fight future climate change.

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The result of this long line of ignorance is an endangered Florida – as well as a world that is increasingly ill-prepared for the dangers that this new world presents.

Kennedy Cole, 14, Sarasota

Governor prepares state for storm

I would like to offer praise for the hurricane preparations put into place by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Power crews on standby, gasoline supplies on site, first responders ready to serve, etc.

Seems like the Herald-Tribune is quick to criticize the governor for almost everything, so let’s give him credit when due.

Pat Brown, Venice

Defective Obsidian plan hangs in limbo

Sarasota received the application for the 1260 N. Palm Ave. project (“Obsidian”) in October 2022 and held its first Development Review Committee hearing on Dec. 7, 2022.

Hearings, in which public testimony was prohibited, ended on June 22, 2023, when staff said it no longer had any questions. Since June, no decisions or public comments about Obsidian have been made, except for residents’ objections at City Commission meetings.The Obsidian facts are clear and straightforward.  Given a limit of 14 feet per story, Obsidian, at 342 feet tall, would be 24.4 stories, violating Sarasota’s 18-story building height limit.

Its lot, just over a quarter acre, also is too small − smaller than an Olympic-size swimming pool. Obsidian plainly violates Sarasota’s Downtown Master Plan and other Sarasota building regulations. Hence, the developer is asking the city for exceptions.Given these defects, Obsidian is opposed by the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association and the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations – and by the more than 3,400 citizens who signed petitions opposing the proposal.

Three project deadlines have come and gone since October 2022.  The fundamentals of this Obsidian proposal and its defects remain unchanged. So why is there delay and continued conversations in secret behind closed doors?

Paul T. Hess, JD, Sarasota

Workers fought for better conditions, pay

The hard work of American laborers has contributed to this country’s strength, prosperity and well-being. The first Monday of every September, Labor Day, is the time to celebrate the achievements of our workers.

Many celebrate the social and economic achievements of both blue- and white-collar workers by barbecuing, spending time with family and watching parades.

The working environment that exists now is the result of the labor movement in the late 19th century. Many Americans worked over 60 hours a week to afford the basics; children worked, too; and conditions were oftentimes dangerous, with little or no workers’ rights and low wages.

These conditions led to rallies and strikes until Congress made changes.

Now, most Americans have safe working conditions, 40-hour workweeks, paid time off, sick leave and labor departments to ensure workers’ rights.

The Florida Commission on Human Relations, Florida’s enforcer of the Florida Civil Rights Act and the Florida Fair Housing Act, comprises a team of dedicated individuals who serve workers and businesses across the Sunshine State. Our team strives to ensure that Florida workers are treated fairly, given access to all employment opportunities and not subjected to unlawful discrimination.

On Labor Day, take time to acknowledge that the “American Dream” is made possible due to the working class. Therefore, all laborers, past and present, are deserving of recognition.

Cheyanne Costilla, executive director, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Tallahassee

More hate, more blood spilled

What color is hate?

It happened again, this time in Jacksonville. Another young white male with hate in his heart, a gun in his hand and murder on his mind killed Black people he didn’t know.

Addressing hate is a complex issue. When I taught school, we addressed it. When I pastored a church, we addressed it.

Some of the best support and care my family ever received came from people of other races. I’m grateful.

What color is hate? It is red, like the blood that flows from wounds to stain floors and streets in communities across our country.

Red blood unites us and keeps our hearts and heads alive. When spilled, we begin to die. Not one of us has a drop to spare for hatred.

Ken Morrison, Lakewood Ranch

U.S. growing its own terrorists

With the spate of mass killings by individuals proclaiming hate with Nazi symbols and targeting specific ethnic and minority groups, this seems eerily similar to the group ISIS and their suicide bombers.

We have the white supremacist and the “lone wolf” mass shooters, whom I equate with the suicide bombers. They behave like terrorists so let’s call them what they are.

The FBI has identified them as the group that is causing disorder in our society. Alan Levin, Sarasota

Hurricane couldn’t halt paper delivery

I was amazed to find my newspapers in my driveway at 6 a.m. Wednesday after the wild stormy Idalia night, and they were still dry in their plastic bags.

The Herald-Tribune’s delivery service is to be commended!  Not just for that one day, but many years of flawless service.

Gene Schulze, Bradenton

Welcome news about preventing evictions

Some good news on the front page (“Sarasota Sheriff's Office and United Way partner to assist residents facing eviction,” Aug. 24)!

Bravo to the Sheriff’s Office and United Way for giving us some positive news and taking an important step to avert homelessness. Thanks for showing us how to make things work again!

Sally Swithers, Sarasota

Reader Question: Is 'tip-creeping' cringey?

There is an intense debate over "tip creeping," a popular phrase for the growing trend among restaurants and other businesses to immediately ask customers how much they wish to tip before their credit card payments are processed.

So what's your view on "tip creeping"? Does it bother you? Does it make you feel pressured to tip higher amounts – or to tip at all? Or do you think it's simply a reasonable way for establishments to encourage patrons to show their appreciation for hard-working servers and other staff?

Send your responses – 200 words or less – to editor.letters@heraldtribune.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Governor ignores larger picture: climate change