New College could replace Ringling's classic art with old baseball cards
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Save masterpieces at Ringling from NCF
It is somewhat ironic that on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, New College's desired takeover of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art makes the front page of the Herald-Tribune.
Perhaps New College's leadership is bored following the spiritual gutting of that highly creative and once-respected institution. Or maybe it's just another power grab to find jobs for our outgoing governor's associates.
More:New College admissions strategy deserves a big, fat 'F' for 'failure'| Opinion
The dearth of higher education management expertise worked so well at New College, why not do the same for Sarasota's most respected art museum?
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Should the ill-conceived plan succeed, I look forward to seeing The Ringling's classical and contemporary collections replaced with sports memorabilia displays, beer-can artwork and portraits of baseball Hall of Famers.
Elliott Himelfarb, Sarasota
Take better care of Florida's seniors
Reading the 2025 Florida legislative agenda, the shifting federal policy landscape and philanthropic grants are very disturbing because there are no funds for Florida's senior population, which is the second largest in the country.
The Sarasota County Planning Commission members are tied to development interests and they're appointed by a county commission whose members are supported by real estate interests.
Nursing homes and rehab facilities need a lot more funding and staff. Doctors are very hard to find and nurses often change daily.
State law requires a number of RNs and LPNs per number of residents, but since enforcement is lax there is often not enough staff to meet basic clinical needs.
The CNAs, who make up the bulk of the staff, need much more training, especially in customer service.
Medicare's policy states that there are no limits on therapy as long as it is deemed medically necessary. However, the rehab and nursing facilities don't have enough therapists to handle the number of patients.
Health care equity means giving all the care to the patients when they need it.
Floridians need to lobby their legislators to work for better senior care.
Sally Coler, Sarasota
Social Security unlikely to go broke
I contributed to the Social Security program for 30 years and have been collecting the benefits in the form of monthly payments for the past 14 years.
I don't understand the talk about the program 'going broke,' which implies that there will come a time when zero funds are available. That seems questionable.
For any given month, there are a given number of people receiving contributions, new people coming onboard to collect contributions and recipients dying and no longer collecting contributions.
At the other end of the pipeline, a given number of people are paying into the program every month, new people coming onboard to pay and existing contributors dying.
The number of people who contribute and the number of people who receive money will constantly change. But as long money comes in, the system will never go broke – although the amount received by each individual may decrease.
I would like to see an analysis that considers all of the variables and comes up with some reasonable estimates of money in and money out over time.
Melvin Ely, Parrish
Justice for Dexter
An update on my letter of Feb. 11, 'Happy ending for Trooper, tragic for Dexter':
On Feb. 20, a jury at the Pinellas County Courthouse in Clearwater found Domingo Rodriguez guilty of the murder, decapitation and dumping of his newly adopted rescue dog, Dexter.
Rodriguez was sentenced to 364 days in jail, plus 60 additional days, in addition to a fine of $5,000 and court costs of approximately $700.
Justice for Dexter has prevailed.Lisa Tongue, Bradenton
In nation of laws, lawbreaking president
This is in reply to a letter published Feb. 23, 'Trump carrying out will of the voters.'
We are as divided a nation as at any time in my memory since the Vietnam era, maybe as divided as we've ever been since the Civil War.
But we call ourselves a nation of laws and we say no one is above the law. That includes our chief executive.
Yes, Donald Trump was duly elected president of the United States last November. That makes him a public servant charged with enforcing the law, not circumventing it, abrogating it or ignoring it.
His election does not make him king, except in his own mind. And as long as he acts illegally, which he has done daily for more than a month now, it is the duty of every citizen to call him out on it.
It is not divisive to work against someone who breaks the law at his level. It's an obligation.
George Lavigne, Sarasota
Constant, low-flying planes spoil quiet
While many celebrate the recent rapid growth of Sarasota, especially developers and tax collectors, we are dangerously close to destroying the basic lifestyle that made Sarasota special.
Obviously, there is the incredibly frustrating car traffic.
Now the expansion of SRQ has brought distressing numbers of loud, low-flying aircraft to neighborhoods far from the airport.
We moved out to Lakewood Ranch in part because of the peace and quiet. After many years of rarely hearing a plane, we now have constant and low-flying aircraft nearly every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(I counted six just while writing this short letter!)
It's too much when the sound is so loud that it's like the plane is about to land, one can read the writing on commercial planes and small aircraft buzz our roofs at night.
SRQ authorities haven't explained the dramatic shift in the flight pattern or why the planes are allowed to fly so low. I used to work for an airline, and I know this situation isn't right.
Who would want to buy the million-dollar homes nearby if they knew they'd be 'living" at the airport? Sadly, unreasonable plane traffic adds to making Sarasota just another overdeveloped Florida community.
Dave Verbraska, Waterside, Lakewood Ranch
Bravely move forward with new center
Three cheers for David Lough's recent guest column in support of building the new performing arts center.
Sarasota reigns, but not on its beaches or golf courses, or in its shops. They are all preponderate elsewhere in Florida.
Our culture is unique! It is unrivaled in Florida for its depth, professional quality, variability and stature. Culture is beyond doubt the singular most driving force that separates this city from its peers.
Once one reaches the zenith, staying pat is akin to moving backward and allowing others to mimic your success.
Saying 'no' to a new performing arts center would be easy, safe and risk free for our city commission. If building such a gem was effortless, everyone would do it.
Take the high road. Make the statement to show how proud we are of our utopia. Do not waste all the effort and treasure that many citizens have already spent in this wise endeavor.
City commissioners, move forward for the next 50 years. Be brave. Be visionaries.
Be our leaders.
Carpe diem.
Mark Kauffman, Sarasota
Steube: Hold meetings about Trump, Musk
To say the massive federal employee and grant cuts currently being enacted by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are controversial is an understatement.
It is the responsibility of the legislative branch of government to hear the opinions of its constituents. It must hear the opinions of 'we the people.'
Accordingly, I am urging U.S. Rep. Greg Steube – the Republican who is my congressman in the 17th Congressional District – to hold a series of town meetings around his expansive district to actually sit down with the people and listen to their opinions and concerns.
Not a phony email survey but live input sessions and two-way communication.
We the people deserve this.
Steube should act as a responsible leader and do this right now as our new form of government is evolving. And so should U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and all of our other area members of Congress.
Louis Grossman, Sarasota
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