The biggest problem for SunRail to DeLand
The News-Journal articles and editorials have discussed various factors regarding the status of the 12-mile extension of the SunRail service from DeBary to DeLand. In particular, The News-Journal addresses appropriate local political concerns regarding a 2009 contract that obligates the county to fund a portion of the SunRail system. This contact calls for $19 million in local taxpayer funding regardless of the fact that, to date, there is no approval and funding for a DeLand station.
(READ: Volusia, SunRail leaders spar in Orlando)
However, what has not been addressed is an in-depth review as to why federal and FDOT funding for a DeLand station has not been approved. I submit the lack of state and federal support for a DeLand station is due to its remote location. Located on the Amtrak rail line 3.5 miles west of downtown DeLand, the station is in a sparsely populated rural setting and accessed only by a narrow, poorly lit, two-lane road off State Road 44. It’s west of DeLand — the opposite side of town from where most Orlando commuters reside. Likewise, given its remote location, the suggestion that a DeLand station would enhance downtown businesses after hours and on weekends is unreasonable.
To emphasize the proposed station’s remote location, the following video tracks the drive from the station to downtown DeLand.
See tinyurl.com/SunRailDeLand.
Jim Jarrell
Not fooled by tax
It’s time to go back to the drawing board regarding the proposed hike in the sales tax. It ain’t happenin’ — the county blew it! I’m sure it was a rather easy sell to others in local governments, the prospect of millions more of taxpayers’ money to spend as they wish, but not so easy to sell the idea to the ignorant constituency that would pay the bill.
There are several lessons from this fiasco. First and foremost: Don’t insult the intelligence of the very constituency that would pay for this largesse. Really? It’s too complicated for the public to comprehend? We don’t need the county to wade through the morass of complication that it created. Officials should just uncomplicate it; that’s their job. It’s no justification for asking for an increase in the sales tax to accomplish what the impact fees were designed to handle.
County officials have not done their jobs relating to impact fees for 15 years. Other counties have graduated impact fees in an effort to assist first-time buyers, with much higher fees for more expensive properties. That does not sound complicated or unreasonable to me.
The entire issue of proportionate share is misleading to the point of being ridiculous. All of this obfuscation merely raises the notion that politicians have lost all credibility and respect from the people you claim to represent. We will not be bullied into raising our taxes for the convenience of elected officials who refuse to do the job they were elected to do.
Thomas Kehoe, Ormond Beach
Road needs widening
I live in Victoria Gardens, arriving as the 13th house in 2002. Over the years I have seen many changes. We have over 1,400 homes, most with two-car garages (and two cars). The increase in traffic getting in and out of the gate, onto Orange Camp Road, has made things very dangerous without a traffic light. We also now have construction across from the Victoria Gardens gate — more commercial stores. This will cause a dangerous situation for Victoria Gardens residents.
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the traffic from the Martin Luther King Boulevard traffic light to Lake Helen builds up to bumper-to-bumper. There’s the same problem in the morning. The money for widening Orange Camp Road to four lanes with a divider and turn lanes was available. Why hasn’t it started? Automall or no automall, this road needs to be widened with a traffic light.
William Kernstock, DeLand
Right or privilege
In a recent letter to your paper, it was stated that voting in our country is a right, not a privilege. If we want to know whether voting is a right or a privilege the letter suggested we “read the Constitution.”
Unfortunately, the youth of today may not be able to read the Constitution because cursive writing is not taught in schools today. Sad.
Fortunately, if reading and Roman numerals are still taught, our students may be able to read the 19th Amendment. Amendment XIX states “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Still, I think it is important that citizens should be able to read the original just in case it is translated into the printed word incorrectly by mistake or on purpose.
Barbara Sandberg, Ormond Beach
Stronger measures
The recent slaying at a Waffle House clearly shows that gun control laws are ineffective in stopping or controlling gun violence. The authorities arrested Travis Reinking for this shooting and killing of four victims. Reinking was armed with an AR-15 rifle, .45 caliber pistol, and ammunition.
After the killings, authorities shared past reports suggesting multiple red flags about a disturbed young man (Reinking) with paranoid delusions. Last July, Reinking was arrested by the U.S. Secret Service after he entered a restricted area near the White House and refused to leave, saying he wanted to meet the president. The Illinois State Police, at the request of the FBI, revoked his firearms license and seized four guns from him. It should be clear to anyone that he was dangerous.
The cause of the problem must be addressed. Potentially dangerous individuals must be identified, controlled, and cared for. In the absence of mandating control of and assistance for potentially dangerous individuals, these killings will continue to occur.
Bob Kamenoff, Port Orange
Attack tactics
“Oh! What a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive.” The liberal media, the left, and Trump resisters just lost a little bit of their “juice” on the president. Bloomberg has reported that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein assured President Trump that he is not the target of the Mueller investigation or probe of attorney Michael Cohen. Eleven members of Congress sent a searing referral for criminal investigation of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for lying to federal investigators. McCabe is also accused of misconduct in his handling of the Clinton Foundation investigation in order to advance his own personal and political interests, and the Inspector General cited McCabe for lack of candor, unauthorized disclosure of information and misleading investigators for which he was fired.
Critics of President Trump will be dismayed that the collusion they are salivating over may have occurred between the Obama administration and the intelligence community. Former FBI Director James Comey needs to explain why he exonerated Hillary Clinton prior to interviewing her and completing his investigation. McCabe needs to explain why he lied to Comey about leaks to the Wall Street Journal. Comey needs to explain why he leaked potentially classified memos to facilitate a special counsel appointment. The inherent bias and lack of candor at the highest echelons of the FBI is a stain on the integrity of our dedicated intelligence community. Will federal prosecutors give Clinton, Comey and McCabe a pass or demand justice and accountability?
Madeline Bizette, Port Orange