TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Letters To The Editor

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

State Can't Afford Deal

Regarding "In 'Huge' Everglades Win, State To buy U.S. Sugar" (front page, June 25):

The government of Florida has lost its collective mind. The state offered $1.75 billion for 188,000 acres of U.S. Sugar Corp.'s land in South Florida. The property includes cane fields, state-of-the-art cane sugar refinery, sugar mill, warehouses, orange groves, packing plants and railroad lines.

The state cannot afford to spend $1.75 billion on land. Did someone forget to tell them up there in Tallassee that state revenues are not keeping up with spending of the boys in the Legislature? If we have money like that to spend, then why are they dipping into the emergency funds?

We need all the cane product we can get. Producing ethanol from sugar cane is nine times more energy efficient than using corn. Florida could be the largest producer of ethanol in the U.S., unless we keep taking cane fields out of production.

The company we are closing down will cost the state 1,900 jobs - just what we need, more unemployment. Instead of taking land out of production and putting people out of work, we should be building ethanol distilleries and creating more jobs for Floridians.

I never thought I would see the day that the oil companies and Archer Daniel Midland were running Tallahassee.

CHARLES WILLIAMS

Spring Hill

Twisted Priorities

I can't believe Gov. Charlie Crist's priorities. He chooses to use state funds to buy Everglades land for $1.75 billion instead of funding support programs for handicapped citizens. Individuals who provide care to special children and adults and even the companies that employ them have had their funding cut to the point where many are quitting, leaving our mentally and physically handicapped citizens stranded with no support services. Yet, we have $1.75 billion to buy swamp land. Where are our priorities?

What is driving this? I'm appalled, disgusted and distraught! How can we have so little compassion for the most needy of our citizens? Don't get me wrong, I'm not for a free ride for those who abuse the social network, but when was the last time Crist or any of our states elected officials took a pay cut? Yet that is exactly what he has done to the people who work in some of the most difficult settings caring for our handicapped who need these services just to survive.

I can't believe his priorities are so twisted. I won't vote for Crist again.

CAREY BRINKER

Clearwater

Conflicting Decisions

I fail to understand how Charlie Crist can work such a gutsy and momentous deal as purchasing U.S. Sugar to help in the reparation of the Everglades and at the same time honestly consider allowing the lifting of the ban on offshore drilling.

Instead, another gutsy move which would send a message to the nation and help minimize our demand for oil would be to reinstitute the 55 mph speed limit.

There was a reason we did it for all those years - it worked! It might not be fun. It might be an inconvenience. It might add 10 minutes to a 30-mile commute, but it lowers the amount of gasoline needed to get from point A to point B, and it will save consumers money. The EPA found that each 5 mph you drive over 55 mph is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon for gas.

Come on Governor Crist, make another gutsy move!

GLENN SMITH

Tampa

Wants Money Elsewhere

We elected Charlie Crist to reduce our insurance and property taxes. What does he do? Spend our money! I was under the impression Florida was hurting for money.

He could not help Floridians, he needed more money for the Citizens fund, but yet he can spend $1.75 billion for land. That's not where I want my money to go. I want him to reduce taxes and reduce my insurance. Impeach Crist!

LARRY FONTAINE

Pinellas Park

Washington Influence

Why don't I feel better about buying back part of Florida from U.S. Sugar? This is an example of win-win, visionary, out-of-the-box thinking. I really love the idea and hope it can be implemented sensibly.

So why do I feel anger? Because I hate being manipulated and get furious that most people only think of one thing at a time, for a short time, and continue to allow themselves to be manipulated.

You and I are being manipulated by the timing and actions of Gov. Charlie Crist, who has come under the influence of the Republican national party and John McCain too much. Knowing the Everglades deal was ready for publication at his environmental conference, what better time to announce his reversal on offshore drilling to cater to McCain, with crocodile tears about feeling our pain and false statements about removing drilling limits having any impact on current $4 a gallon gasoline. Thanks to both our daily newspapers for the in-depth reporting of the real, probable impacts and how much area is already available that is not being drilled.

The picture of Crist escorting the McCains on an airboat ride in the Everglades sticks in my gizzard. The U.S. Sugar deal is being painted as a state operation not controlled by Washington, which would be wonderful. But you can bet the sugar deal was discussed with McCain, although not with Florida legislators or anyone else in Florida besides those putting the deal together.

Remember, the statements about offshore drilling are false and purposely misleading.

JOYE GASSER

Sun City Center

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT