Pollution in paradise

In Clearwater, 500,000 gallons of sewage spill | May 11

Once again, a local municipality or organization is responsible for releasing a large amount of contaminants into our local environment. In this case, it is Clearwater, and the contaminant is 500,000 gallons of sewage. Our local governments are obviously aware of this potential pollution of our waterways and the water supply. The question now is what is going to be done about this human-caused pollution? Meanwhile, we the people will have to watch as our waterways are polluted and the grasses and wildlife that live in our local waters suffer and even die.

Hugh Sullivan, Tampa

Teacher’s pest

The ways Florida appreciates teachers | Column, May 10

The hypocrisy sadly is hard to miss in Stephanie Hayes’ column about how Florida appreciates teachers. Consider what Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Legislature, Moms for Liberty and other groups have done to degrade, accuse and censor teachers, then labeled them “groomers” and “indoctrinators.” But hey, good news. DeSantis signed a bill giving teachers authority to establish classroom rules on cellphone use. Wow!

Sharon Smith, Land O’ Lakes

A lot of questions

The civics lesson George Floyd’s death should teach in Florida | Editorial, May 11

So, Florida officials have redacted the George Floyd story because it dealt with “unsolicited topics.” Who “solicits” history topics in Florida? Is there a board or commission? Does it have meetings subject to open meeting laws? Does it keep records? From whom does it solicit topics? What criteria does it use to select submitted topics? Would a lawsuit asking these questions answer them? Would a story about the outcome of such a suit be redacted? This action by the state certainly raises a lot of questions for civics-minded citizens.

Ed Bradley, Boynton Beach

The school of big breaks

DeSantis ally with no higher ed experience favored to lead college | May 12

To get a crystal clear sense of Gov Ron DeSantis’ contempt for education in our state, consider his advocacy for state Rep. Fred Hawkins to take over Central Florida State College. Hawkins’ attempt to impersonate a police officer was so inept that it earned him a criminal charge that was dropped only after he entered a diversion program. We should expect his impersonation of a professional education administrator to go about as well. So many cronies can get a public paycheck in Gov. DeSantis’ Florida.

Steve Douglas, St. Petersburg