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Thursday's letters: School safety requires funding

 
Published March 21, 2018

Constitution Revision Commission

School safety requires funding

The Constitution Revision Commission should consider amending a proposal (45, 93 or 72) to allocate the necessary recurring funding for the new school safety mandates, separate from the base student allocation.

Florida must have a full-time certified law enforcement officer and mental health professional assigned to every school. A school resource officer should be in place at every school to act as the training officer and communications command in order to establish a cohesive safety team. As the new statewide law enforcement communication system is implemented, the resource officer in each school will have a direct line of communication and the ongoing training necessary to keep the school team properly trained and informed.

As the team members change over time, the training officer will be able to support members of a guardian program if any county should consider this option.

If we are working toward implementing a layered approach, we need to start with the tools, assets and trained professionals we have. We must make the safe school legislation a meaningful start toward a new standard of safety. This is not a can that should be kicked down the road.

School districts across the state are struggling to implement these mandates without the proper funding.

Kimberly Reimer, Clearwater

Laws seek to exempt records | March 11

Don't sugarcoat the truth

This article about lawmakers restricting what information is available to the public reminded me of something I heard while the Legislature was in session. A representative proposed that photographs taken by first responders at mass shooting scenes be restricted. The concern was that horrific, graphic images could leak to social media with harmful effects to grieving families.

I tended to agree at the time, but then I thought about the argument that our kids are being raised on sanitized violence. In the Vietnam era, graphic photos on the evening news seeded a revolution. Maybe that's what they're afraid of.

Alda Thomas, Clearwater

Acrobat dies after fall | March 19

Make show less dangerous

Saturday night was my third time watching a Cirque du Soleil performance. I enjoy the athleticism, aerobatics and choreography. Before the fatal fall, there were two instances where performers didn't quite make the mark. Both times the crowd clapped in support, appreciating the attempts, the determination to continue and lack of severe consequences. There is apparent danger in these performances, but there is a subconscious assumption, by most I believe, that the performers are protected from severe injury and certainly death.

As I sat, about 20 feet from where the performer landed, I was impressed by the immediate and professional response of the medical team. But then I looked around at all the children and many adults whose awe of the performance was ripped apart and replaced by trauma and shock. I thought about the children and maybe potential Olympians who may never pursue the grace and beauty of aerial gymnastics because of this tragedy. I thought about the severe injury and potential debilitation of the performer, not wanting to consider the worst. And I thought about what would have happened if the performer had fallen into the audience.

There is a tradition in the circus of "death-defying acts," but we assume the death-defying acts are an illusion.

My impression is that Cirque du Soleil is a well-run, professional organization. I am taken by how the performers really seemed to enjoy their craft, exuding a camaraderie in the pursuit of excellence. I hope that the organization continues.

But I also hope that Cirque du Soleil will re-examine the balance between art, athleticism and life-threatening danger and make the necessary adjustments away from true life-threatening danger. And I hope these adjustments are publicized.

If they do, I will once again enjoy attending Cirque du Soleil. If they don't, I won't.

Tom Kennedy, Clearwater

Wondering what could have been | March 19, Ernest Hooper column

Legacy of gridlock

I agree with Ernest Hooper regarding Gov. Rick Scott killing the proposed high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando. Sadly, the federal funds for this rail line, some of which came from Floridians' pockets, went to California. And the solution to our traffic problems is surely not just paving over more and more land. Killing the high-speed rail line is Scott's legacy in my book.

Geri Doherty, Clearwater

Let greyhounds run | March 20, letter

Happy away from the track

When we adopted racing greyhounds, we were told to keep them in a crate at least overnight for a while as that is what they are used to. We were told to leave the crate door open that during the day, as this would offer them security if they needed it.

None of our greyhounds wanted to go in the crate at night and not once did we see any of them enter the crate during the day.

For anyone interested in a wonderful pet, please adopt a retired greyhound. I won't make baseless claims regarding what they love or how they feel, but our greyhounds sure seemed very happy being away from the track.

Dan Favero, Clearwater

Disgraceful decision | March 20, letter

It's the occupant, not office

I often see angry pushback from Donald Trump supporters who say jokes or cartoons about the president disrespect the office. What these patriots are missing is that this is actually disrespect for Trump, not the office. The true disrespect for our democratic institution known as the office of the president is what Trump has done to demean and deride that office through behavior that we would not tolerate in a high school principal. If narcissistic rants, cruel tweets and "in your face" lying are the basis for respect, then none is deserved.

Stephan Fugleberg, Tampa