Today's letters: Readers comment on urban sprawl, Central Elementary and Jan. 6 hearings
Only 15 to 20 minutes
The Easter Sunday edition carried a beautiful and poignant essay by Santiago De Choch entitled “When growth chases Floridians away.” It brought me to tears, as much for what he's lost as for his amazing attitude about it.
My husband and I are escapees from the urban sprawl of Broward County. We had been through Ocala years ago on a bicycle tour and remembered it as a nice, quiet town, so when we retired in 2016, we moved to a (relatively) small "active adult" community in western Marion County, surrounded by cows, horses and meadows.
The culture shock of having to drive 15 to 20 minutes (heavens!) to get to a restaurant or shopping became "oh, it's only 15 to 20 minutes" in short order. We loved the peaceful evenings, the lack of traffic, the green space, the slower pace. Now, it's all going the way of the dodo bird. Almost every issue of the paper reports more homes, apartments and warehouses being built.
I suppose my husband and I are part of the problem, having added to the suburban population and, as De Choch said, "Everybody needs to earn a living." Developers, shopkeepers and restaurateurs all need customers. I was just hoping to have my little Ocala stay little for a little while longer. Until it turns into Ft. Lauderdale North, I will continue to enjoy kayaking, hiking and cycling — all within only 15 to 20 minutes of my home.
Shari Bernhard, Ocala
Preserve our building
Many longtime Ocala residents attended Central Elementary School when it was part of the local educational complex for students downtown and before other schools were built as needed. That complex remains as part of local history and is still a vibrant operating system — except for Central Elementary, which has housed the Marion County School Board offices.
Our community realizes the importance of saving our historical treasures, and we want to find a way to preserve this building. It seems no one with rehabilitation ideas has been allowed to go inside to assess the possibilities of utilizing this structure for future community uses. Before a demolition decision is made, I implore the school board to consider opening the building to interested parties for a one-time, supervised visit to determine the cost and viability of private or nonprofit ownership. Let’s not lose another part of our heritage for the sake of progress.
Pamela Stafford, Ocala
No coverage?
Where's the story, Star-Banner? Twenty million people tuned in on June 9 to watch a congressional hearing so profound that it made Watergate look like child's play. A story of a violent insurrection that has rocked the very foundation of American democracy, and yet June 12's big headline was a stomach-turning review of a rally at the livestock pavilion starring ultra-conservative people who continue to tout falsehoods of a stolen election. Are you kidding me? Has our local paper turned into the written equivalent of Fox News? As a person who was brought up in a traditional Christian and Republican household, I can only be grateful that my father, a WWII veteran, is not alive to see this mockery.
Nancy Richards, Ocala
Election funds
I just read how much money Gov. DeSantis has raised for his re-election. Does money buy the election? Those who have money get elected — I get it! Let’s just skip elections and go with whoever raises the most money!
Ann Smith, 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: July 3 letters: Readers comment on urban sprawl, Central Elementary
