Voice of the People (July 21, 2024): The waste of Lakeland's new RICE engines

The waste of Lakeland’s new RICE engines

The Ledger recently printed an excellent article, “Bigger Bills Loom For Most Florida Electric Customers.” Obviously true, but beyond what the author mentioned, and specifically because of the commissioners in Lakeland.

They have been eagerly anticipating their big RICE project to go online, and I have too, as it will, at that point, essentially be one of the most expensive kilowatt-hours ever produced on Earth. Because the general manager at the time, made a lot of promises that anyone who could do some research would know were impossible to keep.

I have uncovered, through public records requests, and Lakeland Electric has admitted, it isn’t 3,000 hours per year of run time as promised, it is half.

Then Lakeland Electric shows up to a meeting and, surprise, the six white elephants (RICE engines) also need 175 tons of anhydrous ammonia per year, at $800 per ton. So about $50 million over budget, now another $140,000 per year, and don’t forget the maintenance.

At some point, the taxpayers in Lakeland are going to realize that their pockets are being picked to pay for these commissioners’ ineptness. If not now, then when?

Kevin Kayden, Bartow

Voice of the People (July 14, 2024): Presidential immunity ruling is a danger to America

When do we return to a secure republic?

With strong presidential leadership, we American citizens lived through the Great Depression, won World War II fighting on two fronts at a cost of 291,557 Americans killed in action, the Korean conflict with 33,651 Americans killed and the Vietnam conflict with 47,378 American dead.

Also, remember FDR's fireside radio chats, the manned space program putting a man on the moon and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the civil rights movement.

When President Joe Biden took his oath of office to protect and defend against all enemies, did anyone expect open borders/airflights into America with thousands of illegal immigrants, a $33 trillion national debt that's creating hardships for many retired and working middleclass taxpaying citizens and American security facing a China-Russia-North Korea WWIII?

America’s June 2024 presidential debate allowed voters to compare a socialist bankrupting candidate to a free-market capitalist, constitutional republic candidate. All informed taxpaying citizens need to vote in 2024 for Donald J. Trump, who will secure our Republic, ensuring a strong military superpower, balancing the federal budget, securing our national borders, allowing substantiable immigration growth, ending illegal immigration and strengthening our capitalist Constitutional free-markets republic.

Walt Back, Lakeland

Voice of the People (July 7, 2024): Is this the best of our choices?

What if the runner-up became vice president

After the attempted assassination of former President Trump, President Biden's noted that we as a nation need to work together and not just focus on our party affiliations.

I thought about what the effect would be it were mandatory for the runner-up in a presidential election to become vice president. I think this could help our elected leaders focus more on the issues, vote and make their own decisions and not be forced to do otherwise just because of their affiliates.

This would not only take a minor amendment to the constitution, but also would have very little if any effect on present positions and offices that are being occupied currently. This would only update and reset our antiquated "personal agenda based" governing bodies and help blur the lines separating them and this country.

Byron Baker, Lake Wales

Voice of the People (June 30, 2024): Vote for Florida's right to privacy

Make climate change and everyday discussion

I enjoyed the Ledger’s excellent article on July 6 on “Extreme Heat Waves.” In addition to the positive actions it suggested, we should also talk about climate change.

We are all aware of the unprecedented heatwaves, rising sea levels and increasingly frequent natural disasters, and the need to act. Nonetheless, meaningful conversations about this crisis are often avoided in daily discourse.

Talking about climate change is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it raises awareness. We educate others, dispel myths and create a better-informed community. Secondly, these conversations can lead to actions from making your home more energy efficient, going meatless one-day a week, planting a tree, or joining a local environmental group and taking collective actions. Finally, normalizing discussions about climate change reduces the stigma and apathy surrounding it.

We must make climate change a regular topic at our dinner tables, workplaces and community meetings. By doing so, we not only honor our responsibility to future generations but also take a vital step toward a sustainable and resilient future. Let’s break the silence and make our voices heard for the planet we all share.

Katherine Sutherland, Winter Haven

Want to contribute?

Send letters to the editor to voice@theledger.com , or Voice of the People, P.O. Box 408, Lakeland, FL, 33802. Submit on the website at http://tinyurl.com/28hnh3xj , or go to TheLedger.com , click on the menu arrow at the top of the website and click Submit a Letter. Letters must be 200 words or less and meet standards of decency and taste.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Voice of the People (July 21, 2024): The waste of Lakeland's new RICE engines