Recent editorials from Florida newspapers:
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Nov. 14
Sun Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale on state lawmakers pushing bills that would end local tree ordinances after power lines toppled in Hurricane Irma:
In a misguided response to Hurricane Irma’s power outages, the Florida Legislature is being asked to take a wood chipper to local tree protections.
Because wind-whipped trees were largely responsible for toppled power lines, two lawmakers are pushing bills that would kill local tree ordinances they say make it too hard to fire up chainsaws.
Surprisingly, Rep. Katie Edwards, a Democrat from Plantation, is one of them.
Edwards says city and county tree regulations cause confusion and unnecessary permitting costs for property owners trying to trim or cut down trees.
She says she filed House Bill 521 as a way to create statewide tree standards that help Florida better prepare for future storms. She says she doesn’t want to destroy the tree canopy, simply make it easier for people to trim and remove trees. She also wants to encourage people to plant trees better suited to withstand high winds.
Problem is, her two-page bill offers no such encouragement. It simply prohibits local governments from doing anything to protect trees. It offers not a sliver of state protection for neighborhood trees.
In reality, Edwards’ bill appears designed to let developers more easily pave over paradise. For big trees often get in the way of big projects. And depending on their size, city ordinances often require developers to protect, transplant or replace lost trees with native species.
Irresponsible property owners failing to periodically trim their trees or planting too close to power lines were far more to blame for Irma’s damage than overly restrictive local ordinances.
Republican Sen. Greg Steube of Sarasota was first to propose the death of local tree ordinances with Senate Bill 574.
It seems Steube ran into trouble when clearing trees to build a three-car garage at his home. He told the Herald-Tribune the rules on clearing and removing trees infringed on property rights. There are “a lot of instances where local governments are, in my opinion, going way above and beyond what they should be doing,” he said.
Steube is best known for his relentless push to let people carry guns into courthouses, college campuses and airport terminals, and wear them in full sight. Who knows, maybe he wants to clear-cut trees to clear all lines of fire.
But it’s hard to understand why Edwards would copy Steube’s bill and help him take aim at local tree protections.
Trees beautify neighborhoods, boost property values and provide shade that lowers energy costs - in addition to the environmental benefits they offer. Do Plantation residents really want tree protections killed? Do they really want Tallahassee deciding whether a developer may replace a grand tree with a shrub?
If local tree protections are too restrictive or cumbersome, they should be amended and simplified - not erased. But we’ve spoken with no city or county leader approached by Edwards about the need for amendments. We have, though, heard their cries of surprise about her heavy-handed bill.
If Edwards and Steube really want to help Florida better prepare for a storm, they should address the problem of property owners who refuse to do something about dangerous trees. We also need a way to proactively identify problem trees before a storm hits.
But after seven years of watching Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature gut environmental protections, we have no confidence that Tallahassee will do a better job than cities in protecting our tree canopy.
Edwards’ bill is opposed by the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities and environmental groups such as 1000 Friends of Florida.
“A blanket ban just means something that makes Florida unique and beautiful could suffer,” warns Thomas Hawkins, 1000 Friends’ policy and planning director.
Making it easy to clear-cut Florida is no way to avoid future power outages.
Pruning onerous red tape should be the goal, not entrusting our trees to a Tallahassee takeover.
Online: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
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Nov. 17
Tampa Bay Times of St. Petersburg on the Tampa Bay Rays’ opening offer to a potential $800 million stadium:
The Rays definitely like Ybor City, and Ybor City seems to like the Rays. So what could possibly come between this match made in baseball stadium heaven? Hundreds (and hundreds and hundreds) of millions of dollars. Rays owner Stu Sternberg told Times reporter Marc Topkin that the team is tentatively looking at contributing $150 million to a potential $800 million stadium price tag. At first blush, that number seems low. That would equal 18.75 percent of the proposed cost. Now there are outliers, but recent history shows the typical team paying 20 to 35 percent of the cost of a Major League Baseball stadium. If that’s the trend, the Rays should be somewhere in the $160-$280 million range. Numbers vary from source to source, but here are examples of recent stadium deals.
Atlanta
The Braves left downtown Atlanta for the suburbs this spring in a deal that has strained the budget in Cobb County. Total stadium costs are listed at $672 million, with the Braves’ cash contribution at $230 million. The public funds come from increased property taxes, along with hotel and rental car taxes.
Team’s contribution: in the range of 34 percent
Miami
In one of the most ridiculed deals in recent memory, Miami-Dade built a new ballpark with numerous parking garages for the Marlins in 2012. The total cost was $639 million with former Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria contributing $155 million. Hotel taxes will be used to pay for bonds.
Team’s contribution: about 24 percent
Minnesota
Hennepin County used a sales tax increase to come up with the bulk of the $545 million cost for Target Field, which opened in downtown Minneapolis in 2010. Twins ownership kicked in $195 million of the stadium’s cost.
Team’s contribution: close to 36 percent
Washington
This is an example of the cost of trying to lure a team to your city. Washington, D.C., got MLB to agree to move the Expos from Montreal by essentially footing the entire $670 million bill for Nationals Park. Some reports indicate the team and MLB kicked in $31 million.
Team’s contribution: less than 5 percent
St. Louis
The Cardinals are the rare MLB team that largely took on the cost of building its own stadium. While the state added $43 million in infrastructure costs, the Cardinals paid the bulk of the $411 million stadium that opened in 2006. The team did, however, get a loan from the county as well as $200 million in bonds.
Team’s contribution: most of the cost
Online: http://www.tampabay.com/
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Nov. 17
The Florida Times-Union of Jacksonville on readers’ comments about suspending Greek life at Florida State University:
Florida State University has suspended its fraternities and sororities after the alcohol-related death of a freshman pledge and cocaine charges for another fraternity member.
FSU President John Thrasher said there needs to be a “new normal to Greek life on campus.” This follows similar suspensions at Penn State and Louisiana State, among others.
So we asked members of our Email Group, mostly with university backgrounds, to comment.
Ban Hazing
I think fraternities and sororities serve a purpose. Becoming a part of a “family” on campus can be very helpful. I think FSU has overreacted. The specific fraternity house involved should certainly be shuttered until they can sort out what happened, why it happened and how to prevent it from ever happening again. All hazing activities should be totally banned.
Patsy Riner, retired teacher, Jacksonville
Cheers for Thrasher
As a 1963 graduate of Florida State University, I applaud the president for suspending the activities of fraternities and sororities. Parents should not have to send their children off to college and then have them come back in a casket.
The news is reporting about the young man who fell down the stairs in a fraternity, was unattended for 12 hours and eventually died. Those who do not show good judgment actually participate in the crime of at least involuntary manslaughter.
Frats probably like “Animal House” as yuk-yuk humor. But let’s not kick it up to “Slaughter House.”
William Howard Denson III, Jacksonville
Return to basics
Fraternities have strayed from their original intent. In earlier days of higher education, fraternities were formed among students for learning purposes, such as pooling books for study as many of the institutions were sadly lacking in library resources. I would not expect fraternities to return to that goal.
However, some type of merit system would be appropriate to determine a fraternity’s or sorority’s value to students and the college. Why not have these organizations quantify goals and missions as a starter and later check to determine their success? In addition, prospective members of these groups should be made aware of the dangers of alcohol poisoning.
Gary Roseman, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Measured response needed
I would advise FSU President John Thrasher to suspend all fraternities and sororities for a limited time while a clear and decisive outline covering activities under the umbrella of the school’s or the fraternity’s or sorority’s name would be legally established.
Ann Wiggins, Middleburg
Proportional penalties
The knee-jerk response to suspend all sorority and fraternity activity following the death of a student is merely insult to injury in an effort to appease patrons and parents. A sanction on the offending organization in question along with a mandate for the continued good behavior of all other organizations should suffice. Penalizing the many to punish the few is politics at its finest, but it doesn’t generate better behavior from students.
Clayton Vandiver, Arlington
Suspension goes too far
First, let’s begin with the death of a student in the hands of a fraternity-sponsored gathering. I grieve for his family and friends.
The death of a student under any circumstances is horrible. It warrants full investigation, appropriate charges and discipline of a fraternity.
I believe the suspension of all fraternity and sorority activities, inclusive of organizational meetings on and off campus, is an overreach.
How are the Panhellenic Council, the fraternities and sororities, most of which conduct their affairs in an orderly manner, supposed to talk among themselves and with one another and take action to deal with the scourges of underage drinking, sexual assault, hazing and gatherings that get out of control?
The president of the university is sending a message. He should revise this message in light of the actions that need to take place, allowing the fraternity and sorority system to be a part of the process.
Laura D’Alisera, Mandarin
Embrace your own self-esteem
Humiliation should never be the test for acceptance. I pledged two fraternities (OKA) and a Trenton, N.J., gang in my life before I arrived at Howard University where I was invited to join a frat.
By that time, I had had it.
With all the beatings, medical emergencies, fist fights, damage from paddle beatings and looking for social approval, I told the inviting frat to get lost.
By then I had found my own dignity and my own self-approval. I no longer needed them to be cool. Ironically, the frat brothers wanted to hang out with me.
If I might inspire FSU and others, I suggest teaching classes on ancient African humanity. Find the power of yourself and how that connects with the universe’s love. Beating people into submission has never worked; ask any slave historian.
Noble Lee Lester, Jacksonville
The alcohol issue
The persistent problems of Greek life remind us about the rationale for the legal age! There is no excuse for underage drinking by or hazing of college students. Such things are illegal, and the extreme reactions are necessary. Kids are out of touch with reality and they need to be awakened before others die.
Closing down the fraternities and sororities may be a knee-jerk reaction by FSU. But I think we need to step back and examine our handling of the next generation. Let us work hard to not lose any more students to drinking, overdosing or hazing gone awry!
C. B. Roberts, math educator,
Whitehouse
Online: http://jacksonville.com/
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