Florida’s Iconic Springs, Transportation, and Electric Vehicles: Letters to the Editor

Removal of feathers

Thanks to Mallory O’Connor for her contribution on “Using art to help save Florida’s iconic sources”. We see now how difficult it is to slow the progressive degradation of our beloved sources.

In 1986 I moved to Florida and met my future (now deceased) wife, Rita Allen Shapiro, in Orlando. She took me on years of adventures, diving in the springs, runs, and rivers all over north and north-central Florida. It’s sad to paddle in the same waters and gaze at the now dingy, algae-covered subterranean surfaces where rainbow-colored light patterns once danced on crystalline white sand and bright green plants. The degradation of rivers and the supply of nutrients have dampened their appeal and future.

I hope that the art of the past few decades can enlighten and bring to their senses some of the political rulers serving on bodies like the St. John’s River Water Management District.

Jeffrey Shapiro, Gainesville

Further letters:

Readers comment on challenging government COVID laws, solar parks, and more

Readers comment on a roundabout on Tower Road, report COVID data, and more

Readers comment on St. Michael’s Church website, COVID mandates, and more

Install roundabouts

In case you missed the New York Times article, Carmel, Indiana – a city of 102,000 residents – has replaced many traffic lights and stop signs with 140 roundabouts, and more are still being installed. The main reason was safety as they reduce the number of serious accidents at intersections.

More than half of the major wrecks occur at intersections, and the Federal Highway Administration funds roundabouts through certain safety programs. In addition, cars do not stand or stand at traffic lights, which means they consume less petrol and CO2 emissions are reduced. It is estimated that the fuel savings in Carmel will amount to approximately 20,000 gallons per year and 30 tons less CO2 emissions.

Other cities like Sarasota are replacing intersections with roundabouts, and the Institute of Transportation Engineers is advocating that. While they can’t replace every intersection, such as the larger ones, they may sound like a good idea.

Bill Frankenberger, Gainesville

Advantages of electric vehicles

Many car buyers who want an electric vehicle (EV) are not convinced that it makes a difference. My AAA Living newsletter addressed this question by sending me to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator. The calculator takes into account the emissions from your local energy provider to determine the greenhouse gas emissions of your electric vehicle.

I entered the year and make of my EV (Chevy Bolt) along with my zip code. The result? Driving my electric vehicle reduces my vehicle’s CO2 emissions by a third. This will help the planet, but will driving an electric vehicle save me money? The 2019 AAA study of gas and electric vehicle operating costs forecast 55% savings on fuel costs and 26% savings on maintenance.

Afraid of taking it out of town? AAA’s survey found that 78% of EV owners own a second car but drive more miles on the EV to avoid buying gasoline.

Don Davis, Gainesville

Send us your vacation stories

Do you have a story about your best Christmas present or another interesting Christmas story that you would like to share? Email your story to letter@gainesville.com to be considered for publication as a letter to the editor or a guest column.

Letters have a limit of 200 words and guest columns have a limit of 750 words. Please provide your full name and place of residence. The deadline for submissions is December 12th for column submissions and December 14th for letter submissions.

Journalism affairs. Your support matters.

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