Thwarting voters, parking hardship, no moderate candidates, more | Tuesday’s letters

Governor usurps will of the people

In our country the citizens vote and the person who obtains the most votes (or electoral votes) takes office.  This basic tenet of democracy is being threatened in more than one way.

The most obvious challenge to our democracy is the refusal of Donald Trump and his followers to accept the results of the 2020 election.

Now, Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended Andrew Warren, the elected state attorney of Hillsborough County, from office because DeSantis doesn’t think that the people of that county want a “woke” agenda (“DeSantis’ removal of prosecutor ignites range of reactions,” Aug. 5).

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How does he know that? The voters elected Warren twice, in 2016 and 2020.  If they do not want him to remain in office, they can vote him out in 2024.

DeSantis may be more subtle than Trump, but both are trying to overturn voting results and interfere with the will of the people.

Let the people decide who they want in office in 2024.

Norma Goldberg, Sarasota

Bike lane causes parking woes

Do Venice city officials realize the hardship they put upon homeowners who reside on a street with a bike lane? My parents have lived on Alhambra Road, in Venice, for over 68 years and we no longer have the privilege to park in front of their house.

There are four of us kids who help my parents (who are 88 and 91) several times a week. Their house was built in the 1940s, with a single-car driveway. Four extra cars cannot fit in the driveway or yard.

The closest side street also has a bike lane, so no parking there either. Neighbors have let us use their driveways, but they will be back in the winter.

Venice Police Department has informed us that repair workers, home health nurses, yard services, etc., may not park on the street either.

My father was born in Venice in 1931 and has certainly seen many changes through the years, but this one has had a distressing impact on both my parents and us siblings and grandchildren.

Venice has left us with no choice but to pay the $25 fine every time we visit. Shame on the city for not taking into consideration the consequences of this issue.

After all, a bicyclist only uses the street for a few minutes and the residents deal with it all day, every day!

Mindy Stephens Sichling, Venice

Give independents a candidate to back

I sympathize with the writer of “Independents need to get in the game,” who pointed out that 40% of voters identify as independents due to distaste for radical left or radical right politics. (Aug. 5)

But until you give us a candidate and a political position we can support, we will not “join a party” and vote.

We moderates haven’t left the field to complain from the sidelines – we’re up front and shouting as loud as we can. You just aren’t listening to us because you want us to agree with your position, and we don't.

I don't support abortions but I do support freedom of choice. The Republicans have taken that away.

On the other hand, Democrats want to give away everything that I've worked very hard for.

Nor do I want to pay for your child’s college education. Are you there to support seniors who live solely on Social Security? Give me a break.

Janine Joyner, Venice

Win-win: Vets working with teachers

The controversy about Florida’s decision to allow veterans to teach without degrees is ripe with hyperbole and devoid of common sense.

My experience with military veterans is quite positive. Veterans are disciplined, able to follow or give directions, patriotic and team players.

As a former educator in Sarasota with a modicum of recognition for my abilities, I believe that dedicated and creative school staffs could make the opportunity to work with some our finest military veterans a win-win situation.

Logic instructs me to believe that the veterans would be screened, partnered with an experienced teacher for general guidance: examining course content requirements, developing lesson plans and handling record keeping.

It would be an internship of sorts, and one of the reasons that our society is functional today can be attributed to apprenticeships, internships and mentoring.

I remember the naysayers I faced during my career.

No to expanding sports for girls. No to middle schools and sending ninth graders to the high schools. No to dual enrollment. No to expanded vocational training programs. No to charter schools. No to schedules ending the first semester before winter break. No to the International Baccalaureate Program.

Today all of these proposals that supposedly wouldn't work are working well.

Ron Carr, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Suspension of lawyer threatens democracy, parking hardship