Changes and cuts to Miami-Dade’s bus routes have made the lives of residents harder | Opinion

Bus Grinches

I agree with Nitin Motwani’s Nov. 20 Miami Herald online op-ed, “Investing in Miami-Dade rapid transit is an important step toward solving congestion.” I disagree, however, with the way he compliments Miami-Dade County for realigning its bus system, which has spelled disaster for commuters. In my immediate North Miami neighborhood, several bus routes were cut.

Recently, while poking around in thrift stores looking for an old DVD of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” I couldn’t find one. Then I realized I don’t need it. All I have to do is look at the Metrobus schedules and see our own Grinch: the Miami-Dade County Commission.

Bus routes 2, 10, 16, 19 and many others were cut last November while our mayor stood by silently. I attended the commission meeting and bitterly complained. I was reassured at the mayor’s front desk, “Don’t worry. This is better! The 9 will come very, very frequently. Everyone will like it better.”

Actually, It’s gotten worse and worse. The “9” has been curtailed to the point that a one-hour gap between buses is possible. People who relied on the mentioned routes now have to walk about two miles just to catch the remaining route 9.

Sadly, I doubt the commission’s “Grinch” heart will become three times larger, sending a sleigh with all the buses reinstated in a burst of love. And no mayor will be here to “carve the roast beast,” either.

Karin Stahl,

North Miami

Dark money

Re: the Nov. 19 Miami Herald story, “Ex GOP Sen. Frank Artiles sentenced to 60 days in scheme to prevent Democrat from winning.” Where did the dark money come from?

Artiles had the money to destroy the political career of Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Harvard Law graduate. Rodriguez had beaten Alex de la Portilla in his first election in 2012 for a seat in Florida District 112. He served two terms. Then he beat Miguel de la Portilla to take a state senate seat. That’s when Artiles stepped in, recruited for the job. He was paid $90,000 to help win races in Miami-Dade and was given another $100,000 for his political action committee.

Dark money comes from the people who want the government to work for them. We know them. They paid more than $450,000 to create and support an illegal “ghost” candidate with the same last name as Rodriguez. A ghost candidate scam was also used that same year in Central Florida with the same source of money against Democratic candidates.

Judge Miguel De la O’s decision to treat Artiles’ crime as a high school prank is disgusting. Without fear of punishment for designing creative (or deceptive) solutions for winning elections with superfluous money, De La O’s decision will only continue our political chaos.

Lee Jacobs,

South Miami

Much ado

In life, all is fair in love, war and of course, politics. Exactly what law or laws Frank Artiles broke to get himself arrested has not been clear. All I see in the reporting and in the letters to the editor are whiners who got outfoxed.

If the GOP, or Democrats for that matter, ran one campaign with two candidates, so what?

If one does all that is required to be placed on the ballot, it doesn’t matter if there are 10 candidates. There is mention of financial improprieties. What they are, however, are never spelled out in any reporting I have seen, nor what financing laws were broken regarding running for office.

This is just sour grapes by the losers and a political witch hunt. Why Alex Rodriguez — who allegedly took money to enter the race and take votes away from Democratic candidate José Javier Rodríguez — ever plead guilty to anything is crazy. He should sue his lawyer, or be held up as a perfect example of why one needs a good lawyer when the government comes after you.

W.F. Cunningham, III,

Fort Lauderdale

Toxic chamber

Last Thursday’s City of Miami Commission meeting was the latest example of a dysfunctional toxic environment at City Hall that actually repels involved and engaged citizens from even attending the commission chambers these days. As one of these residents, I opt instead to watch on live stream, where I hear each meeting begin with a disclaimer spoken into the record about unruly residents being barred from commission chambers.

And each time, I can’t help but wonder when will this same reasonable rule apply to our elected officials who are there to conduct business on our behalf, yet repeatedly use the time to go on tirades against one another while residents watch in disgust.

Will someone please do something to control the unacceptable behavior on the dais and restore some order and common decency to the chambers of Miami City Hall?

Cristina Palomo,

Miami

More wins, please

Miami Marlins owner Bruce Sherman has said he’s spending a lot of money on things the fans can’t see. With one of the lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball, the only things the few fans who attend games seem to see is a team that can’t win.

Sherman can spend his money on all the facilities, technology and whatever else he wants, but it doesn’t mean a thing if he doesn’t pay for players who can produce on the field.

The Marlins are in need of an owner who wants to win baseball games. And winning is what the fans desperately want to see.

Glenn Huberman,

Miami

High admiration

Dave Barry’s kickball team seems like the lovable losers the Miami Marlins wish they were.

Dan Lundberg,

North Miami

Ending TB

Congress is back to work after the election. One of the first things it must do is pass the End Tuberculosis Now Act. During the last Donald Trump presidency, the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the deadliest infectious disease crises in history.

As COVID-19 infections and deaths declined, tuberculosis (TB) surged, reclaiming its grim title as the world’s leading infectious disease killer. In 2023 alone, TB claimed 1.25 million lives. We have the power to change this.

The End TB Now Act (H.R. 1776) mandates that the United States direct resources to the hardest-hit regions worldwide and establish accountability measures to track progress. The U.S. Senate has already passed the bill, but if the U.S. House fails to act before the year ends, the fight will face significant delays. Starting over is not an option when lives are at stake.

House leaders must be pressured to pass the End Tuberculosis Now Act before it’s too late. COVID-19 taught us a painful truth: an infectious disease anywhere is a threat everywhere. Let’s ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.

Tanha Rahman,

Plantation

Reducing plastic

Miami Herald reporters Denise Hruby and Ashley Miznazi’s Nov. 19 article, “Miami-Dade, facing a growing waste problem, passes limited ban on plastics,” highlights the county commission’s positive and impactful step toward limiting single-use plastics, a decision that will protect Florida’s environment and public health.

To combat plastic pollution in our oceans, we need to cut back on plastic production, rather than incinerating it. Plastic is everywhere. It’s in our soil, water, air, food, even our bodies. If we don’t act now, plastic production is expected to triple in the next three decades.

With the longest coastline in the continental United States, Florida’s pristine beaches and coastal economy depend on a healthy ocean and can only thrive if we work to enact policies aimed at reducing plastic production at the source.

We applaud the county commission for eliminating single-use plastics, such as foam, at county-owned venues. Now, state elected officials must do their part to address this crisis by repealing preemptions, enabling local communities to regulate plastics effectively and promoting reuse and refill options. Floridians deserve to live healthy lives free from plastic’s harmful impacts.

Catherine Uden,

senior field representative,

Oceana,

Washington D.C