Vote proves Lake leaders out of touch

I learned Tuesday that we have a state senator, a rookie state legislator, a property appraiser, and three county commissioners representing the Confederacy in Lake County (“Confederate statue backers win battle in Lake County,” July 31). I’m confused because I don’t remember that election. I don’t understand why three county commissioners voted to move forward with installing a little known Confederate holdout in a place of honor in Lake County. I have a Confederate general in my family tree and was taught about the “war between the States,” but I was also taught that the Yankees won the war, so I never thought “my general” should be venerated with a statue anywhere.

Another thing I learned on my path toward maturity was that when I become aware that something I have said or done is hurtful, I am responsible for learning why it was hurtful and to change. I don’t always succeed, but I must recognize the pain I cause and try to avoid it.

Many people came forward Tuesday to tell commissioners that the statue in the Lake County Courthouse, a place known to all for racially motivated crimes by elected officials, would be hurtful. I do not know why these elected officials feel that the pain they are causing is not important enough to stop.

Commissioners told us Tuesday that they couldn’t censor an agency that they fund, housed in a building we own.

The issue is the placement of a massive statue in a place of honor in a building where the Groveland Four and other prisoners were beaten and tortured.

I would really like to know the message intended Tuesday. What did they really mean? The message commissioners sent was: “No matter what the people of Florida say, a few white people are in charge and in power in Lake County and you should not forget it.”

I offer a message of my own: Never again! I will not accept prejudice, discrimination or oppression. I will say yes to love.

Egor Emery Eustis

Why didn’t more teachers vote?

I cannot agree more that teachers everywhere need to be compensated much more than they are presently. We read almost daily of their plight. Teaching is one of the most important jobs in America: the education of our future heirs of our great nation.

I am appalled, stunned and dismayed at the lack of voting by the teachers for the approval, or not, of a new school pay package in Orange County. Only 33% even bothered to trouble themselves to vote! Out of over 14,300 teachers, almost 10,000 did not vote.

How can these teachers wail and moan about lack of pay, don’t take the time to vote on their very livelihood and expect the taxpaying public to join in and support their cries for more? What a terrible example for the very ones they should be teaching to exercise their right to vote. Shame.

C.A. Reddic Winter Park