Column points out one of the many frustrating aspects of driving in Miami | Opinion
Roads of fury
Miami Herald editorial board member Isadora Rangel’s April 24 online opinion, “Impatient drivers turn traffic lights into aggression. I call it the Miami Millisecond,” was insightful and incredibly on point. This is one of the many frustrating aspects of driving in the Magic City (not so magical, in terms of traffic).
Miami traffic is nightmarish, heart attack-inducing and downright frightful.
I thank you for addressing it.
Josie Gulliksen,
North Miami
Green space
Miami Herald reporter Alyssa Johnson’s April 28 story, “Miami-Dade County’s urban tree project unable to shade residents from record heat,” brings attention to an important but greatly underappreciated issue. As vexing as the lack of tree cover is, if we think creatively and innovatively, we can also find valuable opportunities.
As an ecologist and environmental consultant, I see a chance to increase effectiveness and return on investment by incorporating tree planting into a broader strategy. We can identify and prioritize tree planting in areas where temperatures pose the greatest health threat.
In addition, we can create and restore ponds and green spaces of native vegetation within metropolitan areas that lower temperatures and reduce the risk of floods while also providing habitat for pollinators, migratory passerines, wading birds and imperiled species.
Finally, we can try to connect as much green space as possible to create habitat corridors for pollinators, birds, bats and other species while also creating shaded and cooler green spaces for people.
At the current growth rate, by 2070, developed land in South Florida will increase by 85.6%. If we are to avoid the worst consequences of extreme urban temperatures and drive more of Florida’s wildlife to extinction, the time for a creative and bold solution is now.
Miguel Fernandes,
Atlantis
Officer’s abuse
Re: the May 4 Miami Herald online editorial, “Rough arrest of Miami-Dade woman still harrowing to watch, no matter what court ruled.” I am a criminal defense attorney who has tremendous for respect for law enforcement. No doubt, police have one of the most difficult jobs in society. However, what the body cam video depicts is a disgraceful display of police abuse and may discourage anyone from ever calling the police for any reason.
Former Officer Alejandro Giraldo has undermined the public’s trust in law enforcement. He should never again wear a badge, not even that of a security guard at a tow yard.
Why hasn’t a “Section 1983” civil rights action been filed against him and the police department?
I pray for Dyma Loving and hope she knows the police department is comprised of exceptional men and woman honorably and nobly serving our community.
David A. Nuñez,
Meyer & Nuñez,
Coral Gables
Ukraine protest?
The writer of the May 5 letter, “Missed opportunity” was succinct and on point when she questioned why students around the world did not protest Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
One can also question why students around the world have not protested about Russia’s brutal and relentless massacre of the Ukrainian population the past two years.
Marc A. Kuperman,
Miami
Say it isn’t so
A few words from a sad song, “It’s so hard to say goodbye,” express my feelings when I read of Miami Herald opinion columnist Fabiola Santiago’s retirement in the May 5 edition, “After 44 years, I’m putting down my pen. It’s time to be citizen Fabi.”
A selfish thought entered my mind about her retirement, but in the circle of life, these things do happen.
The best thing I can say is a hearty thank you for her years of courageous writing. She will be greatly missed. All the best to her in her retirement years.
Ollie Daniels,
Pembroke Pines
Betrayed again
“Hurt me once, shame on you. Hurt me twice, shame on me.” Repeat this message over and over. Excuses should no longer be tolerated by any real Miami Marlins fan. The time has finally come to empty the stadium.
Owners and general managers have turned a deaf ear to every conceivable proper strategy to compete on a major league level. Instead, they have concocted a miserly, money-pinching strategy in every phase of operations, keeping continued success at arms length.
Have a great team, sell it off! Have great players, trade them! Kill any form of building a loyal fan base by continually making unbelievable, lame-brained decisions instead of improving existing lineups with quality players. And just when some success is evident, discard the best for mediocre to save money.
The commissioner of baseball was suppose to fine teams that refuse to spend money to field a competitive team. When will baseball do its job?
Meanwhile, the best get better, with a monopoly on the best players available as the stingy owners wallow in an abyss of self-destruction. Marlin fans, it is time to revolt.
Peter Tozzi,
Pembroke Pines
Retiring voices
In too few months to fathom, we’ve now lost another voice at the Miami Herald, as opinion writer Fabiola Santiago announced she was putting down her pen and retiring.
As a former “newspaperman,” my pen may be unpaid, but as a writer at heart still, I mourn for the loss of important Miami voices: Nancy Ancrum, the Herald’s former editorial page editor, who died weeks after her retirement, and now Santiago. How truly sad.
Norma A. Orovitz,
Bay Harbor Islands
Lower the boom
Re: the May 4 Herald online story, “Boaters dumping trash in South Florida’s waters? Teens face felony charges.” These teens need to learn to respect and love nature, marine life, oceans and waterways. In addition to paying the fines, they should be assigned a long-term project of cleaning up pollution and learning the effects of pollution on marine life and the environment
They also should be required to take courses educating them on the marine ecosystem and the oceans. These lessons will make them life-long keepers of nature.
Donna Nelson,
Camp Hill, PA
DeSantis’ politics
Talk about a man with no backbone. Governor Ron DeSantis proves conclusively he has none. Once again he is kissing the ring of Donald Trump. Everything DeSantis says or does is based on which way the political winds are blowing, and is definitely not based on what is morally right. We need not look any further than the COVID vaccine fiasco he engineered. First, when he believed it would be politically advantageous for him to brag about how quickly he was getting the vaccine to Floridians, he boasted incessantly. Then when he believed it would be politically smart to join the anti-vaxxers he quickly changed his tune and thus thousands of Floridians died unnecessarily. Then of course are his obligatory remarks concerning not tolerating antisemitism, while at the same time refusing to condemn Nazis marching in Florida’s streets. I could go on and on but suffice it to say that every word he speaks and every action he takes is based on a political calculation and not on moral or ethical grounds.
Martin Kleinbart,
Aventura
Column missed
I was most decidedly saddened having read of Fabiola Santiago’s retirement.
Albeit well deserved, I will miss her columns, which were the first thing I turned to every day one was published.
I don’t envy the task that lies ahead for those at the Herald who have the job of hiring her replacement. It certainly won’t be an easy task.
I, and all who will miss her, have only one request. That is, please try your very best.
Peter R. Evans
Miami
Transformed Miami
I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Tibor Hollo, a real estate developer in downtown Miami and Edgewater.
Hollo bet big on Miami’s urban core at a time when few saw potential in the area. His office and condominiums transformed the skyline.
My condolences go out to his family and friends.
Paul Bacon
Hallandale Beach
