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THE RIGHT THING RE.: Do the Right Thing, City Council by Chris Guerrieri, Jan. 22 I agree with Chris Guerrieri. This city knows how to drag its feet and waste money. If you want an indication of what you are going to get, just watch the local news clip where Mayor Lenny Curry says he wants to fix the city while his head goes back and forth as though to say, “No.” Any good detective can tell you the body will tell the truth before the mouth will. Unfortunately, Jacksonville City Council is no better. As I see it, Curry has cost the taxpayers millions. How much on stopping crime? And crime has gone up. How much to tear down The Jacksonville Landing? With no plans or citizen votes on what to put there. How much on these autonomous vehicles, which will be obsolete in a couple of years? Has traffic gotten any better? The JEA fiasco was started in backroom meetings and cost millions in lawyer fees, but now he’s for leaving it the way it was, as though he had nothing to do with it. Do we want to end up like California, which is now fighting to regain control of its utilities? Do you remember his attack ad about an opponent and raises? Did you know he got a raise when he was re-elected? Do you think Jacksonville is ready for the next flood season? Good luck with that.

I feel that not a single taxpayer dollar should be spent on the Jaguars or the stadium, until all the schools are in perfect working order. Mr. Kahn and TIAA can afford it. I’m a white guy with no kids. That’s what I will vote for. We do everything in the world to protect ourselves, even create enough nuclear bombs to destroy the planet several times over, and then say “so what” to education? It’s like building Fort Knox to protect a nickel.

Brian Griffin via email

SO MUCH FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE Local private schools that took state vouchers last year (2018-19) to cover tuition payments and, because of their religious beliefs, won’t admit gay students—or, if their sexual orientation becomes known, the students are subject to expulsion: Trinity Christian Academy, 614 scholarship recipients, $3,854,573 University Christian School, 348, $2,226,934 Cedar Creek Christian School, 268, $1,634,696 Eagle’s View Academy, 220, $1,339,823 Old Plank Christian Academy, 174, $1,068,112 Fernandina Beach Christian Academy, 34, $212,716 West Meadows Baptist Academy, 44, $210,718 Harvest Community School, 16, $97,895 Michael Hoffman via email

LENNY CURRY PLAYBOOK Jason Fischer is using the “Lenny Curry” playbook of deception by continuing his attempts to undermine public education. Fischer’s persistence at pushing the J-1 Bill appears to mirror Curry’s JEA sales disaster. Both efforts create confusion and erode local control while masking self-serving agendas. Fischer’s endeavors appear to be on behalf of rich patron donors and the for-profit education industry. This potential conflict of interest comes at the expense of taxpayers and the greater Jacksonville community. Failing in his aim to have a mayor-appointed school board, Fischer is attempting to politicize the superintendent position, selling his scheme as more “democratic.” The results would diminish our elected school board members’ representation of the distinctive needs and diversity of their neighborhood constituencies. Additionally, it demeans the professionalism of our dedicated superintendent, teachers and education personnel. Previously, Duval County Public Schools lost accreditation under an elected superintendent. We can’t afford to let history repeat itself.

Karen Adler via email

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BRICKBATS + BOUQUETS

BOUQUET TO LAWANDA RAVOIRA The young women’s advocate has served as president and CEO of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center since she founded the organization in 2013. On March 1, Dr. Ravoira will assume the title of president emeritus and focus on expanding the agency’s public policy and advocacy work. She will be succeeded as president and CEO by the organization’s current senior vice president, Inderjit Vicky Basra.

BOUQUET TO VYSTAR VETERANS MEMORIAL ARENA Last week, the city-owned sports and entertainment venue announced its 2019 attendance numbers, and the figure—656,134—marked a record high for the arena. Its previous high-water mark was 572,834 visitors in 2017. The venue also hosted a record 32 concerts in 2019, beating its 2004 record of 26.

BOUQUET TO AMELIA ISLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU On Jan. 21, the Fernandina Beach-based tourism board won two gold awards and a bronze award at the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards Gala in New York. The CVB was recognized for its cutting-edge augmented reality mobile app, which allows users to experience Amelia Island in three dimensions from anywhere in the world.