Map trails
Gainesville has many great hiking opportunities with its conservation areas and preserves. It also has many multi-use paths and sidewalks that connect these preserves with the rest of the city. So why not map and mark a variety of paths that facilitate and encourage hiking through the city to various nature-preserve destinations?
Imagine being able to plan hikes through Gainesville to its preserves. As with other trails, such as the Florida and Appalachian trails, blazes could be used by hikers to easily stay on track. Such a system would make it easier for out-of-town visitors to get a map and/or just follow a given trail.
Although Gainesville is already ranked high in walkability and bikeability, its accessibility by bike and on foot would become that much clearer with a network of designated, blazed trails-to-trails. If such trail designations and markings are good enough for national and state parks, why not for walkable/bikeable cities like Gainesville as well?
Adam Garcia, Gainesville
Tax increase
Republican lawmakers have touted this new tax plan as a tax cut for the middle class. I have done some quick math and as a middle-class, retired couple with an income under $60,000, I figured that my wife and I will have an additional $8,000 in taxable income due to the plan.
We already have $24,000 in itemized deductions, so the increase in the standard deduction will not affect us. We have no children under 18, so will not benefit from the additional tax credit for dependent children. But we will lose the personal exemptions that we currently get.
Our taxes will go up between $810 to $2,025. This will also happen to every couple that currently has at least $24,000 in itemized deductions and no children, regardless of your income. I would like to thank Rep. Ted Yoho and Sen. Marco Rubio for sticking it to the citizens of Alachua County and Florida again.
Kurt Baumgartner, Gainesville
Nothing illegal
There is absolutely no proof the president had anything to do with Russian collusion. We all know Russia did try to interfere, but why did the Democratic National Committee refuse to give its computers to the FBI to investigate?
People are so judgemental about the new administration without giving it a chance, but excuse what has been coming out about Hillary Clinton and her campaign. The investigation into her emails was a farce. A guy who hated Donald Trump would do anything to undermine him.
Firing James Comey wasn't going to stop the investigation. Two men pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and two others were indicted on the mishandling of their business, which had nothing to do with Trump or his campaign.
The Democrats have been yelling impeachment since before Trump took office and are still doing so despite absolutely nothing illegal occurring. Trump is not going to fire Robert Mueller.
Cathy Anderson, Williston
Patriots needed
Where are the so-called patriots that want to “take America back” and “make America great again”? We could use some help in our fight against Russian interference in our elections.
Clayton Smith, Gainesville
Negative news
After a beautiful Christmas day, it was a disappointment to open the the paper the next day and see the headline "Top crime stories of 2017."
Why do you want to rub our noses in this stuff again? Wasn't it bad enough the first time around? How about the most uplifting stories of the year instead?
If there is no current bad news, it is not necessary to dredge up old bad news.
Anthony Ackrill, Gainesville
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