Tell the whole story about the Tragers
Monday’s News-Journal, page A1, bold headline: “Tragers’ property issues pile up/Buildings owned by Daytona Beach commissioner and husband have been hit with 43 code violations since 2006.” Sounds pretty bad, and those who read no further would assume it was.
But those who read further found that three of the current complaints were filed by someone who is running for Ruth Trager’s seat on the Daytona Beach City Commission. Further on, the story mentions that “several” of the violations were unfounded, and that the majority of cases were rapidly resolved, and there was never a fine.
Then we are told that most of the “amassed” buildings are very old, some more than 100 years, and that maintenance is difficult and expensive. Plus there are quotes with words like “negligent” and “blight,” and “disappointing ... they don’t take care of their own code violations,” when we were told that they do take care of them.
The story doesn’t talk enough about the fact that Ruth and Warren Trager have both served as presidents of the Halifax Historical Society for several years, and that they have devoted much time and energy to keeping the museum going and serving our area. When nobody would do it, they kept stepping up and taking on that responsibility. They were “amassing” ownership of these historical buildings to try to preserve them. People usually lose money renovating historical buildings, but many do it because they don’t want to see a part of the town’s history disappear. The only way people make money from this is to sell the buildings, so they can be demolished for another dollar store!
Warren Trager alluded to this when he said he would welcome a partnership for restoration, which I hope can happen.
I have known the Tragers for many years, and can testify to their genuine concern for historic preservation, which is why I feel this article was very unfair to them. You should balance it with an article about all they have done to preserve our local history.
David Mindlin, South Daytona
Be fair about voting
In regard to the Puerto Ricans who are here due to the hurricane and the Democrats who want them to vote here, I am all for that — but they must vote as an absentee to Puerto Rico and not for the state of Florida unless they have a permanent address according to the law. Everything that I am seeing in the media (in print and on the TV) is trying to get them to vote in our state. I am not opposed to that, but they must be a legal resident of this state to do so. I am what is called a “no party affiliated” voter, so don’t try and make this a Republican viewpoint. The Democrats are again trying to confuse the voters.
(READ: Candidate questions Puerto Rican vote)
The Democratic Party has sent a person down here with $100,000 to get Puerto Ricans to vote. The state should review these applications carefully to be sure they are qualified to vote in Florida.
I just want a good, fair election, that’s all.
Bill Hall, Ormond Beach
Not on company dime
Regarding the NFL protests: I was co-founder of a business in 1999. It is still a solid business, with 100-plus employees. If one or more of my employees insisted on splashing their political views in our workplace, which is hospital services, they would be gone the same day. We pay our employees to do their jobs. Their politics can be done on their own time and their own turf.
Chuck Davis, New Smyrna Beach