{"id":4769,"date":"2026-06-20T07:04:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T07:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=4769"},"modified":"2026-06-20T07:04:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T07:04:04","slug":"letters-protect-city-landmarks-understand-property-tax-bill-primaries-should-include-npas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=4769","title":{"rendered":"Letters: Protect city landmarks | Understand property-tax bill | Primaries should include NPAs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Do city landmarks have value?<\/h4>\n

Exactly 50 years ago, Orlando\u2019s Historic Preservation Board was created at the will of the people to protect our heritage of buildings 50 years old or older. These buildings are all individual threads in Orlando\u2019s living fabric, all now 100 years or older, with good standing as Orlando citizens. They are Orlando\u2019s very footprints and fingerprints \u2014 whether standing proud in the future individually or integrated into vibrant, imaginative, contemporary adaptive-reuse or mixed-use venues as our best architects are capable of designing when given the challenge and opportunity.<\/p>\n

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As Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City Council cast their votes Monday on an ordinance to limit the control of the board, they should vote based on the people\u2019s will, listening to no one else, neither Staff, nor City Council colleagues, nor developers, and realize the potential for tragedy. Although the developers haven\u2019t revealed which buildings are targeted for destruction, the proposed ordinance will enable clear-cut demolition of Orlando\u2019s entire constructed heritage. City commissioners should ask themselves whether any of these landmarks have value to them.<\/p>\n

If this ordinance passes, I will certainly live the rest of my life in sorrow, whereas the city commissioners may live their lives in deep regret.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Tom Price, Orlando<\/em><\/p>\n

Tom Price served a founding member of the Historic Preservation Board from 1976 to 1992, during which the Downtown, Lake Cherokee and Lake Copeland Historic Districts were ordinanced.<\/em><\/p>\n

Voters need straight facts on taxes<\/h4>\n

Many voters may be inclined to support the proposal meant to cut property taxes based on a compelling title or brief description (its title is \u201cSave Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes\u201d).<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why local governments have a responsibility to clearly explain in plain language what funding amounts could be affected if this measure passes.<\/p>\n

The potential consequences of a \u201cYes\u201d vote should be presented in a way that\u2019s easy for everyone to understand. Residents deserve straightforward explanations of the immediate and long-term impacts so they can make informed decisions. I have already made such a request to my city.<\/p>\n

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The effects of today\u2019s choices will be felt for years to come, particularly by future generations who will live with the results long after the election.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Brian Javeline, Coral Springs<\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t short NPA voters<\/h4>\n

The editorial titled \u201cDon\u2019t sleep on primary races\u201d (June 16) urges Floridians to be sure to vote in the primaries, but conveniently left out an important detail for 3,317,596 No Party Affiliated voters in this state (as of May 31)\u2026 you\u2019re not invited.<\/p>\n

Florida\u2019s closed primary system locks 25% of all registered voters from participating in primary elections even though our tax dollars fund them. Telling NPA readers \u201cPrimaries matter. Be sure to vote\u201d in a primary we\u2019re barred from entering isn\u2019t civic encouragement. It\u2019s a gut punch. A truly informed editorial on primary participation would also call for opening Florida primaries to independent voters who fund them.<\/p>\n

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\u2014 Deborah Smith, Orlando\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Reflecting-pool irony<\/h4>\n

America, aren\u2019t you proud of our refurbished reflecting pool in Washington, D.C.? Our illustrious president managed to create what I see as one of the truly great ironies of our 250 years: instead of creating a pool to match the blue of our Stars and Stripes, he managed to turn the pool Iranian-flag green. Happy birthday, Mr. President!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Michael Dalton, Orlando<\/em><\/p>\n

You can submit a letter to the editor by sending it by email to insight@orlandosentinel.com or by filling out the form below. Letters are limited to less than 250 words and must be signed (no pseudonyms nor initials).You must include your email address, address with city and daytime phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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