Keep school library access age-appropriate
Guest columnist Denise Ward, in her essay entitled “The importance of difficult subjects in literature” (Nov. 2), states that all books “should be be available to all children in school libraries” and “we should not deprive all students of these books in schools.”
Thus, Ward triggers the concern of all parents, who feel that some subjects may not be appropriate for young grade school kids.
If the anti-censorship crowd wishes to make their case, the term “age appropriate” must appear prominently in all of their arguments against regulations of all school libraries.
“Age appropriate.” Get it?
Barbara Anderson Winter Park
A vote for Burns supports housing
From garbage pickup and public transportation to budgets for local schools and services such as libraries, parks and rent support — all of these essential day-to-day issues are debated and decided in municipal and county commissions.
“All politics is local,” former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill said in 1982, and it’s true: a commissioner could have a more of an immediate and long-term impact on a community than the President of the United States.
However, local elections across the country have consistently low turnouts. Between 15% and 27% of voters go to the polls to vote for a Commissioner, member of the School Board, or Mayor. Even more concerning is that a small minority is choosing representatives who wield significant decision-making power, impacting the lives of countless Florida residents across various municipalities and counties.
The City’s 2023-2024 adopted budget is nearly $1.8 billion. Within this budget, the Police Department’s total expense is 31.1% compared to the Housing and Community Development’s at 0.2%. The difference is abysmal.
Florida Rising knows firsthand the plight of Black and brown communities trying to get an affordable roof above their heads. This is why it supports the re-election, on Nov. 7, of Bakari Burns to the Orlando City Council representing District 6.
Burns is proposing incentives to developers committed to building real housing solutions, subsidizing affordable housing for the middle class, and helping low-income tenants pay their rent.
When voters turn out in large numbers, the potential for substantial and unstoppable changes is significant.
Beverly Casseus Orlando
Beverly Casseus is Florida Rising’s member of the Electoral Engagement Committee/Endorsement Review Work Group.
When you vote, common sense becomes personal
Common sense becomes personal when we vote in the 2024 general election (“Are you better off? Then vote accordingly,” Nov. 3). After massive layoffs due to the pandemic, our country is now going back to work. The Biden administration is claiming they’ve created historic job growth in our country. You just can’t make things like this up.
William Pratt Clermont
The cease-fire resolution
The delegates serving in the U.N. today have not learned the history of the Middle East or are intentionally ignoring it. In 1947, the U.N. passed a resolution dividing Palestine into two nations, one for Arabs and one for Jews. The Jews set up their state in 1948 but the Arabs, supported by seven Arab nations, vowed to kick out the Jews and take all the land.
They did not succeed in 1948, nor did they in 1967 or in 1973, but they are still trying. By passing a cease-fire resolution now, the U.N. is coming to the aid of the very people who are still trying to wipe Israel off the map.
Herbert Goldsmith Pembroke Pines
