Local GOP welcomes Puerto Rican input
Despite extraordinary levels of federal and private recovery assistance, our fellow Americans from Puerto Rico still suffer the effects of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. Full recovery may take several more years, and in the wake of such a catastrophe it is natural that many good Puerto Rican Americans have sought refuge and are building new lives in mainland America, in Florida and in Volusia County. Their right to establish residence and vote in Florida is no different from that of any other American. It is guaranteed by the Constitution, and it cannot and must not be questioned.
Florida remains in the forefront of states offering assistance to our Puerto Rican brethren. Here in Volusia, we enjoy a vibrant Hispanic community and continue to benefit from the wisdom and dedicated public service of a number of elected officials and business leaders of Puerto Rican heritage. The Republican Party is deeply committed to welcoming our fellow citizens in their hour of need. We believe that Hurricane Maria was a human and environmental disaster whose aftermath far transcends any thought of political advantage. Clearly it is for all Floridians, all Volusians — without regard to party — to do what we can to help our new friends to feel at home and to participate in our economic, cultural and political life.
Anything less would be inconsistent with American and Republican values, compassion and devotion to the common good.
Tony Ledbetter, Ormond Beach
— Ledbetter is chairman of the Republican Executive Committee of Volusia County.
Try common sense
Another heinous, senseless school shooting in Texas. Again, there are no more laws that can be passed to prevent such a tragedy.
However, there is a common-sense way to stop this nonsense once and for all. I believe we can all agree on this, without attacking Second Amendment rights or the high cost of adding several trained and armed personnel in schools that I know many people object to.
This is a two-pronged approach that can be carried out by current school staff:
* Schools should have their whole school yard fenced in with just one single entrance where all people (staff, students and visitors) must pass through with security staff using metal detector wands before entering the property.
* The school building itself should also have just one entrance, with a pass-through metal detector and a school resource police officer operating the machine.
The above approach is not new. Schools in New York City have been using this approach for years because of gangs carrying weapons that can be hidden easily (knifes, brass knuckles, etc.).
I know fencing in a large suburban school district property would be costly. However, fencing could be put around just the building or entrance only, to save costs.
It is my opinion that all schools should now use this type of protocol, and the federal and state governments should pay for it, not putting the cost onto the local school districts.
The ball is now in the politician’s court to exercise a common-sense approach.
Dwight Cunningham, Edgewater