Today's letters: Readers comment on the coronavirus and new housing construction
Free is better
Twenty-five dollars for an at-home COVID test, however the prevention vaccinations are free.
Oh, my, what to do? (Spoiler: free is better.)
If the test proves positive, what to do: quarantine or just continue as if COVID-free.
If quarantined, for how long — and then what? Get another test and start the scenario all over? Go merrily along as if all is well?
If the test proves negative, rejoice and then quite possibly get infected the next day or so and think all is well as one goes about one's routine and infects others? (Spoiler: free is better!)
Why get in long lines for a test when vaccination sites are begging for citizens to help us kill this pandemic! Anyone who suggests COVID is a hoax or some grand design of conspiracy with all countries — Christian, Muslim, communist, enlightened, etc. — participating when we can't get then to agree on religion or form of government is truly bizarre. Or, maybe just stupid!
Choice Edwards, Clermont
No more housing needed
While reading articles in my community monthly newspaper, I came across one about the city of Leesburg’s incentive and rebate program to conserve water. They encouraged owners with older appliances to replace them with new, modern, water-saving appliances. The article went on to say that 50% of the water used in our community goes to irrigation systems. It's a noble endeavor that benefits everyone living here by conserving water.
The same day I read an article in this newspaper about the Leesburg City Commission approving the final proposal to build two huge housing and retail developments in close proximity. A 3,461-home community along with retail space encompassing approximately 1,240 acres located at the intersections of Route 48 and Route 27 is incredible. The backers of this joint venture are Marsan Real Estate Group, out of Orlando, and Ayana Holdings, based in Dubai. Tim McClendon, the county's planning and zoning director, and City Manager Al Minner both called for a scaling back and spacing out of homes to preserve some of the natural beauty of the area, which the surrounding community residents strongly urge.
City Commissioner Dan Roebuck said reduced density is a nice idea but impractical. Mayor John Christian said it would be "unfair" to the developers to continue further discussion about this development process. Mr. Mayor, we wouldn't want to keep financial backers from Dubai and developers from Orlando whose only interest in our community is to maximize their bottom line waiting, would we? The mayor went on to say that we need growth in our community and justified it by pointing out the poor attendance at Lake Square Mall and pointing out the numerous rundown motels and other businesses in our area. He never clarified how this development is going to improve those other concerns of his. He never mentioned the impact of the additional traffic or the improvements to roads that are necessary to accommodate all that traffic.
Considering that the same City Hall states that 50% of all water use goes for irrigating our lawns, what is the impact on an additional 3,461 new lawns that need irrigation? What’s next? Will the mayor's solution to that be to recommend water rate hikes to conserve water consumption? Apparently his concerns about the “inconveniences” to these investors are more important than upholding his pledge to the residents of Leesburg.
Robert Del Castillo, Leesburg
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Jan. 16 letters: Readers comment on the coronavirus, new construction
