After two years of not being heard at City Council meetings, the residents of Homestead have been heard at the polls.

Not to take anything away from the newly elected City Council members -- signs, mailers, phone calls, forums and knocking on doors -- Tuesday's election was a rocking referendum on the recalcitrant members of our council who would ``block vote'' every major issue and rebuff any opinion from the public to the contrary. All four were expelled!

That ``my way or the highway'' mentality materialized over the last few months with higher taxes and an attempt to move City Hall to a new $20 million structure downtown.

As I sat on the Charter Review Committee that changed our council from at-large seats to geographical districts, I believed that we could break up the ``old boys' club'' with equal representation of our citizens in every area of Homestead. My only regret is that in a referendum we gave four-year terms instead of two years to every council member, excluding the mayor.

Four years can seem like an eternity when we elect relatively unknown candidates to council seats in a growing and changing city like Homestead.

Thank you, residents of Homestead -- voters rule!

JIM TRANTHEM

HOMESTEAD

PALMETTO BAY

NAMING PLACES AFTER LIVING IS INSULTING

I am protesting the naming of any public place or building after any living politician or official. We need to explain to these folks that naming places in this matter is an insult to many people.

For example, any fallen serviceman that fought and died for our nation is by far more deserving. Why not pay more tribute to persons killed in war or protecting our community? These people paid the ultimate price for us, our nation. Why are we forgetting the real public servant and the main reason we live in a free society?

I would much rather explain to my grandchild why the name of a serviceman is on a plaque and why his or her name is memorialized. Let our young people discover in a small way how fortunate they are and what real heroism is. Why don't we honor all senators, governors, mayors, and council members with plaques in all public places?

You know what? Many people wouldn't care and others would not even notice. Heck, I think I'll rename the swale area in front of my house. It's public property and I pay taxes on it. I'll name it in honor of myself, maybe even my dog. Wait, I don't have a dog.

Do you understand what I am saying here? Soon memorializing won't really mean much of anything. Let the plaques remain in City Hall.

Does the word noble pertain to anything anymore?

RANDY BURNS

PALMETTO BAY

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