In response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ cowardly decision to have state transportation workers remove what his assistant secretary described as surface art linked to social, political, or ideological messages or images—which do not serve the purpose of traffic control—protesters turned out on Thursday. It will go down in the history of The City Beautiful to see our folks reclaiming their streets with chalk and a variety of colors on both local and national media platforms.
Images: The rainbow crosswalk outside Pulse nightclub has been taken down.
Mayor Buddy Dyer was compelled to address the governor’s culture warfare drama as a result of DeSantis’ actions, and he condemned them as heartless, harsh, and political. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Anna Eskamani, Eric Rollins, and Patty Sheehan were among the longtime neighborhood leaders who attended the protest. In addition to LGBTQ+ individuals, they were also supporting first responders, local businesses, schools, religious and spiritual organizations, Black, Hispanic, Latino, and Jewish individuals. Their support of each and every one of us is an expression of Orlando, a very varied and politically significant metropolitan area. DeSantis knows how powerful this politically purple area of the state is, which is precisely why he is pursuing us.
It is more important than ever for us Orlandoans to unite and demonstrate to DeSantis that he will fail in his battle against hatred and division. We are grateful to everyone who attended the Pulse Memorial site on Thursday and spoke out against injustice on behalf of those of us who were unable to attend. And to the leaders of our city: You have our support!
Dan Bray Mount Dora
It seems that a rainbow disturbs the state GOP more than firearms used to kill innocent people. It is unsettling that they would sneak about during the night to carry out their evil removal.
Orlando, Brenda Bartnick
In my opinion, Mayor Buddy Dyer’s response to the DOT painting over the rainbow intersection in the middle of the night was a fake outcry. The buildings at Orange Avenue and Church Street, which formerly housed a Woolworth’s and a McCrory Drug Store, remind me of Dyer’s activities in 2003. The Jaymont block in the center of the city was being rescued by the Preservation Society.
Furthermore, what did Dyer do? After receiving consent from the City Council, wrecking balls appeared on the scene a few minutes later. Therefore, there was no possibility that the block could be preserved by an appeal. What hypocrisy! Even though the Pulse nightclub massacre is a terrible incident that Orlando residents will never forget, our roadways should only be utilized for legal road markings. That’s what the governor stated. Therefore, Dyer ought to sit down and stop crying. For my part, I’m not buying into this phony anger.
Orlando Ricky-Dale Flanagan
Whoa! It’s never too late to start learning. I’ve believed that sex is biological my entire life (I’m 89). I now see that it’s really political.
Joe Hussar-Orlando
The Orange County Commission will examine Visit Orlando’s most recent audit on Tuesday. Having contributed to the establishment of Orlando’s tourism foundation for decades through the Chamber, Economic Development Commission, World Cup 1994, and Sports Commission, I am aware of the potential of tourism as well as the accountability that comes with spending public funds (Stung by audit, Visit Orlando argues tourism is worth billions, Aug. 22).
The audit highlights an increasing disparity. Local participation is declining despite Visit Orlando’s budget skyrocketing from $52 million in 2013 to $113 million in 2024. The non-tourist development tax (TDT) accounted for 25% of its 2013 budget. Just 8% did last year. As a result, TDT revenues are used to support what has turned into a marketing machine for corporate giants, many of whom have their headquarters outside of Central Florida, while local tourism businesses thrive and make smaller financial contributions.
While pressing local needs like museum renovations, cultural facilities, and other public initiatives go unfunded, half of Visit Orlando’s TDT expenditures are spent on large-scale advertising campaigns with dubious returns. Instead of largely funding advertising that primarily serves the interests of companies, TDT revenues ought to improve our community.
In order to regain equilibrium, the County ought to:
- Assign dedicated staff for rigorous oversight of Visit Orlando.
- Reduce allocations as revenues grow beyond reason.
- Create a working group before the 2028 contract renewal to benchmark peer cities, evaluate ROI, and recommend proper TDT uses.
- Ensure the Florida Legislature understands why locally collected TDT dollars must remain here for projects that directly benefit Orange County residents.
Both our economy and our community should benefit from tourism.
SchirmOrlando, Joanie
Due to allegations of neglect, the governor has suspended duly elected prosecutors twice. The first was Andrew Warren, who stated that he would not enforce laws that prohibited transgender adolescents from receiving medical care. Subsequently, Monique Worrell was suspended on the basis of bogus allegations that she had neglected to prosecute numerous cases—false information presented by a sheriff who is now arrested, prosecuted, and suspended, but I’m getting off topic.
With court briefs calling for the repeal of the law prohibiting the sale of firearms to individuals under the age of 21 (Florida AG wants Supreme Court to strike down gun law, Aug. 22), the attorney general, whose sworn duty is to enforce and defend the laws of the state of Florida, is now actively undermining the law in addition to vehemently refusing to do so. Attorney General James Uthmeier was suspended for neglecting his duties, as if the governor, who insists that law and order must be upheld at all costs (even if it means removing a rainbow-colored crosswalk in the middle of the night), had no other option. Naturally, though, he won’t. Because, when it suits them, it seems that being a government of laws rather than men is only woke dogma.
Henderson, JeffBelle Isle
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