Letters to the Editor

Wrap up budget talks

I would like to respond to Commissioner Beth Dillaha's letter ("The job of a responsible City Commission" published Aug. 12) regarding the city budget. It does take hard work to find a way to fund city projects amid declining revenue while trying not to raise taxes. But Ms. Dillaha has effectively handcuffed the mayor and other commissioners with her "digging and delving" over every minute detail of the budget along with her "new studies and research" that she so enjoys educating all of us with.

But there is a type of paralysis that sets in when you cannot make decisions because of all of the data swirling around. Our mayor and commissioners are bright and educated people, and I trust that they have given a careful and considerate look at the budget. Let's get the budget done and move on to the next order of business.

—Pat Fishback

Winter Park

Facts about rail

-The proposed route consists of a single track except through Sanford, Winter Park and Orlando. Trains can only pass on double tracks — they can't pass between Winter Park and Sanford or Orlando and Poinciana.

-Unlike the Tri-Rail in Miami, none of the proposed commuter rail is elevated.

-There are many grade crossings for automobiles.

-Tens of thousands of cars daily cross the tracks on State Road 436, State Road 434, Fairbanks Avenue, State Road 50 and U.S. Highway 17-92.

-School buses that transport thousands of children are obliged to wait at the crossings for Amtrak, CSX freight and now commuter rail. It is tough enough to get children to school on time without additional trains on the track.

-Accidents will occur at the crossings and the personal injury law firms will eat this up.

-A minimum of two tracks are needed, and many places where they are needed do not have the additional right-of-way available. Condemnation suits would be necessary, including a second bridge over the St. John's River.

Who is going to ride the commuter rail? Most workers today have at least two jobs in different places, and how do they get to the commuter rail from both jobs? Cars are more practical.

Commuter rail works in large cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, New York, etc., where all of the businesses are in one area and not spread out over 30 miles as in Central Florida.

Despite the fact that the commuter rail had not been approved, the Florida Department of Transportation in February 2009 purchased a proposed station site in Altamonte Springs from the B.D. McIntosh Jr. Trust for the sum of $2.6 million. Where did this money come from? And if the commuter rail does not go through, how will the property be used by the state?

State Sen. Andy Gardiner stated in the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday, Aug. 19 that even though the track sale deal remains in limbo, FDOT is trying to move ahead and is close to buying seven locomotives and four double-decker coaches, etc., for a total of $48 million. Isn't this a bit premature, or are the politicians eager to get their kickback?

The existing rail right-of-way was established in the late 1800s originally to accommodate one track. This current one track is used daily and to establish a second track would have to be done without moving the existing track because it is in daily use. Condemnation of additional right-of-way would be necessary, as in most places, there would not be enough room on the existing right-of-way for another track.

—Daniel J. LeFevre

Winter Park

I support the only Democrat running for Senate

When I first received a Kendrick Meek flier in the mail I really liked the fact that he'd started in public service as a state trooper. He then sought other avenues for public service.

Meek focuses on supporting public schools. In Tallahassee, he led efforts to limit classroom sizes. Meek pushed back against Jeb and the republicans who opposed class-size caps. With strong public support, the limits passed.

Meek also firmly supports a woman's right to control her own body.

In Congress, he has a moderate, pro-business record. Meek sits on the House Ways and Means committee. It has great influence over taxation, Social Security and Medicare.

Who would you rather have representing you on taxation — a modest man or a billionaire? Who's likelier to understand your concerns?

Greene made his vast fortune betting against the housing market, through the tragedy of massive foreclosures.

And who are Greene's friends? Convicted rapist Mike Tyson was his best man. Former madam Heidi Fleiss has been a long-term houseguest. A man's close friends speak volumes. Is this the kind of person we want representing us?

Meek is a low-key family man. His wife, Leslie, serves as an administrative judge. They have two well-mannered teenage children.

Greene only joined the Democratic Party two years ago. He has never lived in Florida for any significant length of time.

He's dishonest. Recently, Greene denied being in Cuba in the past five years. He later withdrew that statement since in 2007, he and his mega yacht did spend days in a Cuban harbor. His own political spokesman admits this.

Greene broke the federal law prohibiting travel to Cuba without advance permission.

Presidents Obama and Clinton and Sen. Bill Nelson all strongly support Kendrick Meek. All Florida Democrats ought to do the same.

Visit www.kendrickmeek.com to learn more about this deserving public servant.

—Milly Dawson

Maitland