Miami-Dade’s decision to rename Hialeah street after Trump ignores many voters’ wishes | Opinion
Street cred?
I was disgusted and appalled to see that Miami-Dade’s Board of County Commissioners voted to name a street in Hialeah after President-elect Donald Trump. Only one county commissioner had any sort of morals and ethics to vote no and that was Marleine Bastien.
Regardless of one’s political standings, Trump was convicted on 34 counts of felony crimes by a jury of his peers. In a civil suit, he was found guilty of sexual assault on a woman and sentenced to pay monetary damages. This is not someone we should be naming a street after in our county. Meanwhile, Commissioner Kevin Cabrera pandered for a position in Trump’s new administration.
The Board represents all the citizens of Miami-Dade County, not just the 53% who voted for a convicted felon. Do better!
Cecelia Magrath,
Homestead
Clean energy
The cost of living in Florida continues to rise, with property insurance, rent and housing costs all climbing above the national average. Floridians need practical solutions to alleviate their economic burden and energy costs present a significant opportunity for savings. Surprisingly, the key to reducing energy costs lies in expanding clean energy production — contrary to common misconceptions.
Despite misleading claims in the media that clean energy is more expensive, it has become more affordable than traditional energy sources. Solar, wind and nuclear energy now cost less to produce than energy from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. These lower production costs translate directly into savings for consumers.
Why, then, should we continue relying on outdated, polluting energy sources?
The once-perceived advantage of fossil fuels — their affordability — has been eclipsed by the cost-effectiveness of clean energy. Beyond the economic benefits, clean energy offers significant additional advantages, such as improved air quality and public health.
Transitioning to clean energy isn’t just an environmental imperative — it’s an economic and health opportunity for Floridians. By embracing renewable energy, Florida can reduce living costs while paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future.
Giovanna Santo,
Miramar
Safer parks plan
James Torres’ Dec. 8 op-ed, “Stop the planned renovations of Morningside Park” resonates. Growing up in the Upper East Side (Bay Point), we used the park and learned how to swim, play football and soccer, have picnics and fly kites. Torres perhaps forgets that Morningside has a guard gate and is not easily accessible to the public. While it is open to public, many do not know the park is there.
After more than 35 years of neglect, we have a city commissioner, Damian Pardo, who lives in the area and knows all too well the park’s shameful, time-forgotten neglect. Legion Park is another in neglect.
We endorse Pardo’s proposed plan. The seawall must be raised and there should be paths for pedestrians and joggers. My only concern is if the city will upkeep what is constructed. Fix the park, spend a dime and tell the community to come and use it. Add security, too.
Those who oppose the plan seem to accept the poor and unsafe conditions but offer no viable alternative. Make Morningside and Legion Parks inviting and for all to enjoy.
James Angleton,
Miami
Next up
The Syrians just deposed Bashar al-Assad. What are the Cubans and Venezuelans waiting for?
One way to force the situation would be for the U.S. government to forbid and halt 100% of the remittances to both countries.
Marcelo Salup,
Coral Gables
Syrian promises
If Abu Mohammad al-Jolani — leader of the Syrian rebels who toppled Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad — follows through on what he has said he will do in Syria, he will be a shoe-in for the Nobel Peace Prize. Just getting rid of Assad puts him at the forefront of historic peacemakers.
May the deity of us all, regardless of what one calls It, guide him.
Barry J. White,
Kendall
Stripping citizenship
The United States of America is a country founded on the principle that all people are created equal. However, the incoming Donald Trump administration seems intent on creating an American apartheid, a permanent underclass of people born in the USA, yet treated as unequal, generation after generation.
That it is favored by entrepreneur Elon Musk makes sense. He grew up within South African apartheid and has no apparent real devotion to American values.
However, are all Republicans really so rabidly racist that they’d prefer American apartheid over the principles in the Declaration of Independence?
John Chisholm,
North Miami
Rule as needed
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are touting a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to improve government performance. The answer to bad government, however, is not more government.
Private enterprises use technology and innovative techniques to better succeed, but the methodology of government is to hire more people and promulgate more regulations. There is an inherent tension in government between career civil servants and political responsiveness. Unlike in the private sector, the objective measure of profit or loss is missing and public satisfaction is impossible because government restrains rather than empowers.
The only way to improve government is to reduce it or rethink it. This can be done through sunset legislation. Periodically, every agency and department should be abolished and reinstated only to the extent its objectives remain current and its ability to meet those objectives can be demonstrated. Every agency or department budget line item must be evaluated and established anew, with an analysis of imposed regulations.
Isn’t it appropriate to regularly ask whether we should still be doing that at all or as much? Don’t we already have an Office of Management and Budget to do that?
R. Thomas Farrar,
Miami
Happening town
Bravo to Catherine Cathers and the Coral Gables Cultural Board for three great educational and entertaining events.
On Saturday evening, the New World Symphony, its musicians, technical crew and staff, along with Sanctuary of the Arts, its crew and venue, made for a perfect free, family outdoor event filled to capacity on a beautiful, moonlit evening.
On Sunday, the city honored artist Janine Antoni through Art Basel Miami Beach, in celebration of the artist’s upcoming installation on Miracle Mile.
Also happening throughout the week was the Merrick Festival Caroling Competition.
Keep it up, Coral Gables.
Bobbi Litt,
Coral Gables
Balancing point
Golf courses often benefit from reduced tax rates and government subsidies despite their limited public access, raising questions about the fairness of such financial perks. Golf courses, typically restricted to members or paying guests, use expansive tracts of land and are resource-intensive, requiring vast amounts of water and chemicals. This exclusivity means the local populace, who fund these subsidies through taxes, cannot enjoy the facilities.
Subsidizing these enterprises diverts public resources from more essential services like education and healthcare, which benefit a broader segment of society. Furthermore, the argument that golf courses preserve green spaces is flawed. These are not public green spaces accessible to all, but private enclaves. Public parks would serve a much wider community, providing real environmental and recreational benefits.
It’s time to reconsider these financial advantages to ensure tax policies and subsidies align with broader public interests, promoting a more equitable use of resources and benefiting the entire community rather than a select few.
Paul Howard,
Naples
Fated glory
I see that the University of Miami Hurricanes football team has just been awarded a trip to the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Sounds like that is just a cut above a trip to the prestigious Toilet Bowl.
Ashby Cathey,
Miami