Cut convention-center losses: Sell it
It is totally outrageous that taxpayers have had to absorb $100 million in deficits over the last four years to operate our white elephant of a convention center that benefits nobody other than a few hotels and restaurants in the I-Drive area (Scott Maxwell: “Convention center lost $100M; Orange wants to expand again”). It is even more outrageous that Orange County wants to invest (i.e., throw away) another $560 million on this worthless property.
Sell it. There is no reason that Orange County needs to own a convention center. It is not a necessary governmental function. If the local hotels want it, they can buy and operate it. At least Orange County will be able to collect property taxes on it. There are plenty of privately owned convention centers — the Sands and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, for example. Stop burdening the taxpayers with this albatross.
Robert Nelson Orlando
Indian Americans’ political role is growing
Americans of Indian descent are having a bigger influence on political issues in the United States. Members of this heterogeneous community have different views on social, economical and political topics that will determine their support depending on what the different political candidates present for their communities in their political platforms. It’s good to see that the power and influence of Indian Americans is on the rise. The first inhabitants of this great country deserve to have an important role in the diverse issues that affect us all as a nation.
Emmanuel Padin Clermont
Steel construction could help insurance rates
Insurance rates are a nasty problem.
Reports from credible sources will show something harrowing: homeowners insurance rates are now alarmingly becoming higher than mortgage payments in some cases.
You don’t need a doctorate in Economics to understand that this is troubling news, to say the least. But there’s a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from an Ivy League school who is making a compelling assertion: There’s steel now that can repel winds at well over 200 mph. Seems like a no-brainer with construction going forward, right?
Alas, the problem: Over 90% of residential construction in Florida is wood-based. That means hurricanes, fire, and termites impose.
What if the marketplace took a turn with innovation? What would happen to your insurance rates when your home is built with steel as the ingredient?
Moreover, this new steel will naturally be fireproof. And termites won’t be happy. And your home’s resale value ascends.
The challenge is that the wood industry’s ecosystem – that is, all the people’s lives who depend on the industry – is enormous.
I’ll invoke one of my favorite quotes of all time. “It’s hard to change a person’s mind, if his/her income depends on it not being changed.”
Let’s go, Florida. Our children need not be slammed by skyrocketing insurance rates. And we can build back Florida strong, with that last hurricane being a starting gun.
John L. Evans Winter Park
A governor’s cynical ploy
So, our governor made a big show of sending war supplies to Israel. It was more of a cynical ploy, meant to impress his Jewish constituents in Florida, than anything truly meaningful.
Where was Ron DeSantis when neo-Nazis marched in Orlando, spreading vile division and hate? He totally distanced himself from them and issued very few words of criticism. Could it be because in his failing adventure in presidential politics, they were a constituency he did not wish to offend?
Jesse D. Sheinwald Boynton Beach
