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Rays made a deal and shouldn’t break it
Here’s what readers had to say in Monday’s letters to the editor.
 
Fans enter the stadium for opening day of the Tampa Bay Rays in Tropicana Field in 2018.
Fans enter the stadium for opening day of the Tampa Bay Rays in Tropicana Field in 2018.
Published Dec. 8, 2019

A deal is a deal, so deal with it, Rays

Mayor kills Rays’ Montreal sharing plan | Dec. 5

After years and years of listening to the various debates regarding the Tampa Bay Rays, new stadium, split seasons with Montreal, moving to Tampa, owners and politicians bloviating, it all seems endless and inconclusive. If there is a contract to stay where they are through the 2027 season, they best get on with what they have and make it the best product they can.

Tropicana Field is clean, comfortable and adequate, and a new stadium or split seasons are not going to fill the park. Entertainment value is the only thing that can generate a fan base. I’m one of thousands of grandfathers and parents who can’t afford to bring a couple of kids to the ballpark with any frequency.

Lower prices and more price promotions can contribute to increased attendance. Filling the stadium might give a new park some credibility.

Tom Riley, Sebring

A special gift for Christmas

Soothing the senses | Nov. 30

Yahir Manuel Charneco Roldan, 6, flips the pages of a book while sitting on Santa's lap during an early event at International Plaza for families with sensory-sensitive children. [ MARTHA ASENCIO RHINE | Times ]

Thank you for sharing the rare sensory Santa event at International Plaza regarding helping autistic children experience a safer time versus a scary time. Another group, Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation, has been doing this also for some years now.

Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who helped found the group, is having the Sensory Friendly Santa, their signature event, in mid-December. Unfortunately, these events fill up quickly.

Still, my son Paul was able to experience it a few years ago with multiple judges, for example, Hillsborough Circuit Court Judge Rex Barbas robed in red, not black. Helping autistic children feel accepted is genuinely a priceless spirit of Christmas gift.

Dale Kimball, Wesley Chapel

Best of those with the least

Welcome to Tommytown | Dec. 1

Terrie Grissom, a volunteer with the San Antonio Rotary Club, watches as young girls participate in an exercise where they depend on each other to move around with their eyes closed, after reading a story about Hellen Keller. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]

Your story about Tommytown revealed the majesty of the poor and the intentionally ignored. Despite ignorance and intentional meanness, the least among us show the us the best of the possible in human endeavor.

Today’s immigrant community finds decency and solutions while living in white nationalist-imposed hatred and greed.

Like Jesus, immigrants offer kindness in the face of unkindness, assistance where opportunity has been ripped away, hope where hopeless has been imposed.

The immigrant intention and spirit is regal and powerful. It is the source of this nation’s success. Continued success of this nation will depend on how well and how quickly we of power can reverse and eliminate support of hate and ignorance.

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Stanley Proctor, Lakeland

Primaries are for the parties

Florida Supreme Court weighs opening state’s closed primaries | Dec. 3

We should just say “no” to open primaries. Everyone can vote in the general election — that’s what it’s for. The primaries are for party members to choose who will represent their party. If you aren’t a party member you have no business voting in a party primary. Open primaries only allow the other party to manipulate the vote. Nothing good can come from this meddling.

George Moore III, Fort Walton Beach