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  1. Opinion
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  3. Letters to the Editor

Tampa Bay needs to stop talking about climate change and do something

Here’s what readers have to say in Friday’s letters.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, speaks Tuesday at the Hilton Carillon Park during a summit held by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's Resiliency Coalition in St. Petersburg. [TIMES | Langston Taylor] [LANGSTON TAYLOR]
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, speaks Tuesday at the Hilton Carillon Park during a summit held by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's Resiliency Coalition in St. Petersburg. [TIMES | Langston Taylor] [LANGSTON TAYLOR]
Published Jan. 9

Stop talking about climate; start acting

At local resilience summit: No time to waste | Jan. 8

While a summit to address climate change is critical to our future, Tuesday’s event was not the first. The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County held several summits at the Florida Aquarium a decade or so ago to talk about sea level rise and ocean acidification. It was billed as “adaptation to sea level rise.” So now they call it resiliency?

Instead of the cold turkey reduction of greenhouse gasses called for by the scientific community, governments chose paralysis by analysis so that the wealthy elite owners of the fossil fuel industry and the exploiters of unsustainable manufacturing business practices could continue their business as usual.

We need less talk and more light rail, rapid transit, alternative energy production — and fewer fuel-inefficient cars and trucks on the road. And fewer roads!

Robert Rorebeck, Tampa

Include homestead in contract

Tampa couple makes a bold homestead stand | Jan. 5

In an effort to obtain a homestead exemption that would have saved them thousands of dollars in property taxes, the Baldwins slept in a tent on the grounds of their new house in Tampa before it was finished in 2015. [GOOGLE EARTH]

The homestead tax exemption is important to many homeowners who plan to reside in their new homes on the first day of the new calendar. However, the drama and the litigation associated with the Baldwins pitching a tent on Jan. 1, 2015, in order to receive homestead tax exemption because their house was not finished is drama in the classical sense.

Notwithstanding, I concur with Robert Stern, a real estate attorney mentioned in the article, who suggests that owners insert a penalty clause in the contract if a home or major renovation isn’t finished in time to comply with the rules associated with the homestead exemption. I would also further suggest that contracts, such as those for sale and purchase commonly used by Florida Realtors, address this issue in the comprehensive rider addendum to their contract. The ability to receive homestead tax exemption benefits is that important to Florida homeowners.

Tom Feaster, Tampa

Rubio right to back Trump

For the hawkish Rubio, an about-face on Trump | Jan. 9

President Donald Trump is greeted by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., looks on, after Trump’s arrival on Air Force One at Miami International Airport in April 2018. [PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS | AP]

I see nothing wrong with Sen. Marco Rubio doing an about face on his opinion of Donald Trump. A lot of people have, including myself. It’s about time we had a president who quit hiding in the closet and stood up to those Middle East bullies. Right on, Mr. President.

John Waitman, Tarpon Springs

Killing all about the election

Is there anyone who doesn’t know that the only reason for the assassination of an Iranian general is to look like a strong leader going into the 2020 election?

Dennis Bush, Tampa

All evidence should be seen

GOP will start impeachment trial, delay witnesses | Jan. 8

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. [J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | AP]

The impeachment trial is supposed to be a fair trial with all the evidence presented. If Sen. Mitch McConnell has his way with no witnesses to appear, where is the fairness? It appears there is new evidence since the articles of impeachment were written, and this should be presented. If there were new evidence that showed President Donald Trump did no wrong, I am certain it would be presented. So why not present all new evidence?

Robert Jenkins, St. Petersburg

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