Data centers will harm neighborhoods
I am betting that Mark Jamison, the writer of the July 30 guest commentary “Florida should welcome data centers as it does other businesses,” has never lived near a data center that he glowingly recommends. There are widespread reports of intrusive noise, both in the audible and subsonic ranges, that is not restricted to the centers’ footprint. Sometimes this is caused by the cooling fans for the multitude of data processors/computers, and other times caused by backup power generators (often running 24/7). The noise is heard far and wide. The generators may also produce air pollution that increases cancer risk or pulmonary symptoms in the locale.
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Another issue is the water consumption. The Floridan Aquifer is already strained supporting our population and agriculture. We should insist on “closed loop” systems, and verify that the ongoing water usage is minimal.
A third issue is the “heat dome” created by this concentration of heat-shedding machinery. Measurements taken at existing large data centers show temperatures raised by 4 degrees to 16 degrees F in the surrounding area, as much as six miles distant.
There are multiple nationwide environmental organizations calling for a moratorium on data-center development until the impacts can be better defined and mitigation measures catch up to this serious problem. Some will undoubtedly offer many societal and technical benefits, but I believe they should not come at the expense of unsuspecting local residents. The costs and benefits of each data-center location to the developer and to the community should always be weighed and made publicly available.
— Tom Caffery, Orlando
Jolly is a respectful person
I’m feeling optimistic about Florida politics for one of the first times in almost 16 years. I think we will have a good shot at redemption if we elect David Jolly and Gwen Graham as governor and lieutenant governor. Florida voters missed a golden opportunity eight years ago when Democrats selected the wrong candidate for the gubernatorial race. We also missed the boat 16 years ago when we did not elect Alex Sink, but I digress. I think the last decent Republican governor we had was Jeb Bush. The only good thing Rick Scott ever did for Florida was effectively manage disaster relief after hurricanes. The same could not be said for Ron DeSantis — in my view, he has been one disaster after another, with no relief. I am tired of culture wars, misdirection of FEMA funds, alleged no-bid contracts to friends and political allies (Alligator Alcatraz), appointing unqualified judges, lack of travel transparency, dark flights of immigrants from other states to other states, and list goes on and on and on.
Back to David Jolly. He was once a moderate Republican, before that species became extinct. It was disheartening when he left Congress because he was a respectable and respectful person, and those qualities are fading in Florida and national politics. I think he will represent all Floridians to make Florida a better place to live, pushing for sound economic and social policies. Let’s not forget that our Legislature could use a lot of improvement as well. August 18 is coming up fast.
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— Richard Wolken, Longwood
Majority shift harms confirmation process
For 38 years, the Senate required 60 votes to end debate on Cabinet nominees, forcing presidents to choose consensus-building moderates. That changed in 2013 when lowering the threshold to a simple majority intensified partisanship and eroded the standard of qualifications for nominees.
When merit and integrity become subordinate to political ideology, it creates a logjam in the confirmation process. This is the case with attorney general nominee Todd Blanche. Blanche’s current confirmation mess highlights the dangers of this simple majority shift (“Trump says he may pull Blanche’s attorney general nomination for now,” July 30).
As the president’s former personal defense lawyer, Blanche has consistently prioritized absolute loyalty to Donald Trump over the sacred constitutional oath required of the nation’s top law enforcement officer. This blatant expression of fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants. To mend our impaired political system, the Senate must end this fast-track approach and restore the 60-vote barrier.
— Jim Paladino, Tampa
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