Today's letters: Readers comment on the Sunshine Law, the Move Over Law, the 2020 election
What are they hiding?
What are our lawmakers afraid of? What are they trying to hide?
Is it that they, perhaps, cannot get rid of the Sunshine Law as it now exists, or is it because they do not want the public to know what is happening in our state government, areas of governance or police departments?
If the latter is the reason, then what do they want to hide?
It is bad enough they are trying to limit the people's right to vote.
Barbara Adler, Ocala
Move over
Two different tow truck drivers were killed in the line of duty/assisting at motor vehicle crash scenes in Marion County by other motorists in the last eight years — one tow truck driver on or about May 4, 2014; the second tow truck driver on or about April 28, 2021.
Other first responders, law enforcement officers, and fire and emergency medical personnel also have been killed or seriously injured while working motor vehicle crash scenes and assisting people seriously or severely injured at motor vehicle crash scenes in Marion County and other counties in Florida in recent years.
That’s why the Florida Legislature passed what is commonly called the “Move Over Law.” And this month, January, is the month that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Highway Patrol remind all motorists of this law and the protection it provides to dedicated first responders and others assisting at motor vehicle crash scenes, assisting with disabled motor vehicles and enforcing the Florida Traffic Code.
For more information about this life-saving law, visit bit.ly/moveoverlaw22. And remember that tow truck drivers are first responders, too. Move over or slow down for them as well.
Daniel L. Hightower, Ocala
Democracy for all
It has been more than a year since the 2020 presidential election and there is still controversy over its legitimacy. I have a simple question to ask: Prior to 2020, did anyone think it possible that a presidential election in the United States of America could be rigged, stolen and the rightful winner denied the presidency? Yet here we are one year later and a sizable segment of the population actually believes that happened.
This is not a case of the 2000 election in which Al Gore challenged the results in Florida. Then, out of 6 million ballots cast, he lost by 534 votes. A recount was in order and, with the debacle of the "hanging chads" with punch cards, there was uncertainty. But, after the Supreme Court ruled against Gore, he dropped all challenges, conceded the election, called for national unity and even attended the inauguration of George H.W. Bush.
What if the election was overturned? After the jubilation that your candidate won wears off, will there be a time when an uneasy feeling occurs in the pit of your stomach when you ask yourself, what just happened? This is something that has never happened in our country's 250-year history to have an election overturned. In the past, your candidate may not have won, but that is how democracy works and you accepted the results. But now, is this the new normal in our country, that an election can be overturned or that the results will continue to be contested for a year or longer?
Will this become "democracy" in the United States of America? Think long and hard about the long-term consequences and be careful of what you wish for. Democracy flourishes only when the citizens believe in democracy for all and not just for the loudest!
John Hakkio, Ocala
Write to us
Send a letter to the editor (up to 250 words) to osbletters@starbanner.com. Letters must include the writer's full name and city of residence. Guest columns of up to 750 words are also accepted on a limited basis. More information on submitting letters and columns can be found at bit.ly/starbanneropinion.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Jan. 26 letters: Readers comment on Sunshine Law, Move Over Law, more
