The misery of measles

Measles? Perfect as we revert back to the ‘50s. | Column, Feb. 28

I am 92 years old, and for 86 of those years I have struggled to see and hear following a severe case of measles when I was 6. I am deaf in one ear, the other ear was damaged, and I have diminished sight in one eye. It also affected my balance, and I have always to be careful that I don’t fall down, or in or over something. (I should have bought stock in Band-Aids.) I am a retired university professor with a big family so I have persevered, but it hasn’t been easy. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s advice to parents about unvaccinated kids going to school in a measles outbreak is stunningly stupid and amazingly wrong.

Nancy Hause, Estes Park, Colorado

Book ’em, then?

Principals could face book ban penalty | March 2

So now if a principal gives a book to a student he can get in trouble and also if he doesn’t give the child the book he can get into trouble. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. No wonder there is a teacher shortage.

Carlos J. DeCisneros, Tampa

This could work

Principals could face book ban penalty | March 2

It is disheartening to learn that Tampa Bay public schools are still contending with challenges related to student access to books. A viable solution that could find common ground involves granting parents the chance to opt their child out of reading certain books. This approach empowers parents by allowing them to selectively exclude books from their child’s reading list. It doesn’t compromise access to books for all, but rather places the responsibility in the hands of parents, freeing educators to address broader challenges within a school district. We can do a lot more for kids and taxpayers if we seek innovative solutions and leaders.

Hunter Gambrell, Plant City

Good in the world

Young fan gets his Lightning wish granted | March 4

In today’s cynical and pessimistic world, what a pleasure to read about the Tampa Bay Lightning and their Make-A-Wish Foundation guest, Leo Raszka. He didn’t want to go to Disney World or the Bahamas, he wanted to come to Tampa to come see team captain Steven Stamkos and the Lightning. Kudos to the team and owner Jeff Vinik along with Make-A-Wish. It makes you believe there’s still good in the world.

Bob Hastings, Land O’ lakes

Why I remain a Republican

Significant numbers of Republican primary, caucus voters say they wouldn’t support Trump as GOP nominee | March 4

A couple stated that they defected from the Republican Party to register as independents a year ago. While I understand that in their state the primaries are open to all register voters, regardless of party, here in Florida, they are not. I have decided to remain registered as a Republican not because I am happy with the direction the party has gone, quite the contrary. My decision is based on the knowledge that the only power I may have of contributing to the righting of the ship is through the primary process. In the primary election, I have the opportunity to vote for candidates that are not election deniers and/or supporters of the insurrectionist wing of the party. I strongly urge those who have changed their registration away from Republican to return so that they may help me with those efforts.

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Terry R. Arnold, Treasure Island

The quiet lawn service

Get rid of leaf blowers | Letter, March 1

Why stop with leaf blowers? Why not phase out all gas-powered lawn equipment? A lawn service that had all battery powered equipment and called itself “The Quiet(er) Lawn Service” would be swamped with orders. The initial investment in equipment would be a bit higher, but it would pay for itself with much lower maintenance costs. It would also be a lot cleaner, neater and less messy. I personally have phased out all gas-powered lawn equipment and wouldn’t hire a lawn service unless their equipment was all battery-powered.

Pete Wilford, Holiday

A governor’s job

State Guard recruit is arrested in training | March 3

Gov. Ron DeSantis continues his adherence to a narrow policy lane, including his advocacy for the Florida State Guard, a quasi-military force under his direct control. The original intent was for quick response to natural disasters, primarily hurricanes, but it’s morphed into an instrument of right-wing policy, including deployment to the Mexico border to assist Texas in their ongoing battle with the Biden administration. I have reservations over such as service, but I won’t let that outweigh my support for the original intent. I’m more concerned, however, with DeSantis’ inability to get anything done right. The Florida State Guard is just the latest example of a state program that winds up in the news because of inept management. In this case, it’s a failure of vetting, but that’s only one of the litanies of mismanagement that has been with the Florida State Guard since day one.

A governor’s title is his job; it’s all about governance. Speeches, proclamations, news interviews and presidential aspirations are fine to a point, but a governor’s one job is making sure that our state government runs efficiently. An inability to govern effectively is not a good look for a governor.

Jon Crawfurd, Gulfport

Aiding and abetting

No guns in cars | Letters, March 3

It’s a good thought to make it illegal to leave a gun in a car, but I doubt that such a bill would make it through the Legislature. But how about this? Irresponsible gun owners who leave their guns in cars, locked or unlocked, should be charged with “aiding and abetting” criminal activity because those weapons are stolen primarily to commit crimes. Let’s use a law already available. And to take it a step farther amend the federal law banning machine guns to include all the war weapons. I am not advocating taking guns away from responsible citizens who abide by the laws.

Georgia Ickes, Largo

What’s the planet worth?

Gas-powered cars may be cheaper to run than EVs | Feb. 28

It is terribly misleading to assert that gas-powered cars may be cheaper to run than EVs. They might be cheaper only if you ignore the cost of climate change. Just try to calculate the price of rising sea levels, escalating temperatures, wildfires, forced human migration. Gas-powered anything is not cheaper than an electric alternative, especially if the electric power comes from a renewable resource, which is becoming more and more a reality. Charge your car, your bike and mass transit with the sun and the wind. The future is now, and we can’t afford to wait.

Douglas Wilkin, St. Petersburg

The cheap cost of my EV

Gas-powered cars may be cheaper to run than EVs | Feb. 28

I am floored by the data presented in this article, and I question the estimate of $12.61 per 100 miles for the Tesla Model 3 in the Anderson report. Let me give the data for my Tesla Model 3 for the last month. For the last 30 days the car charged 124 kilowatt hours of electricity and traveled 496 miles. The TECO cost was $16 based on the rate of $ 0.13 per kWh. So per 100 miles I paid a little more than $3 — not a little over $12 as cited in the article. My Tesla gives me continuous electricity usage data and mileage and since I bought it new a little over two years ago I have traveled 9,458 miles and used 2,174 kWh of electricity. This amounts to energy cost of $283 for this period.

Thomas Klein, Tampa

Good for Great Explorations

Great Explorations Children’s Museum

We want to extend our sincere congratulations upon the recertification of St. Petersburg’s Great Explorations Children’s Museum by the American Association of Museums. Ten years ago, the Great Explorations Board was presented with the idea of applying for accreditation by the AAM by Lisa Negrini, then CEO. It was an arduous and expensive process that Great Explorations could ill afford at the time, but the board approved the attempt in support of the leadership and staff of Great Explorations. Improving the museum was the goal.

The process was successful with many improvements to operations as well as garnering the prestige of accreditation. I believe that Great Explorations was one of very few children’s museums in the country to receive this accreditation. Now, once again, under the outstanding leadership of current CEO Angeline Howell (10 years now) and an amazing staff, Great Explorations is accredited for another 10 years.

My wife, Beth Houghton, and I are extremely proud of how far Great Explorations has come over the last 30 years, overcoming multiple relocations, extreme financial stress and then the ravages and closures of COVID-19. The children and families of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County and Tampa Bay are all beneficiaries of this great institution. Here’s to another great 10 years and beyond.

Scott Wagman, St. Petersburg

A bad decision

Largo to settle suit filed by the estate of woman killed by police | March 1

As a former police officer I was appalled at the decision to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit against Largo police officers for using deadly force and killing a woman. She was holding a firearm, shot at the officers and refused all the officers’ commands. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation concluded the shooting was justified. To reward an estate for the suspect’s deadly behavior sends a chilling message. Not only does it put officers in a position of wondering whether or not they have the city’s support, it also invites future claims of liability justified or not.

Darrell Patton, Hudson