Appreciating GRU

In response to an Aug. 19 letter, Mr. Benny lives in a 1,994-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom home that was built in 1968, is concrete block and has central air.

Mr. Benny (real name) receives services from Gainesville Regional Utilities. His most recent electric bill was $54.83. The total utility bill was $158.12, $10 of which always goes to Project SHARE.

Mr. Benny has an efficient variable speed AC, solar panels, blown-in attic insulation and insulated windows. All of these have made a great difference.

Mr. Benny appreciates GRU services, especially rapid repairs after storms, but what he really loves is the transfer of revenues to the city and when wastewater processing has converted land into a water reclamation site that is now Sweetwater Wetlands Park — currently a nationally recognized birding site. Thank you! Visit Gainesville!

Ulla Benny, Gainesville


No help from GRU

In support of Mr. Smith, who wrote an Aug. 19 letter about his GRU bill: We live in a home of around 1,600-square-feet built from concrete block in the 1970s that has central air and heat. We too have installed a new metal roof over a shingle roof to improve the insulating qualities of our home. This even enables us to increase the thermometer for the AC in order to consume less electricity.

Our most recent bill last week was $372, one of the highest bills we’ve ever received. I called the GRU office only to be told we must be doing something wrong; maybe our water was running too much.

I informed them that my parents have a limited income and both are disabled to no avail. The person on the phone said there are no programs for the elderly or those on limited income. Mr. Smith, I’m in your corner.

Michael Coleman, Gainesville


Undue controversy

The Aug. 9 headline “Citations dismissed in controversial June traffic stop” and article perpetuated undue controversy regarding our justice system instead of providing necessary information to educate. Naming Judge Walter Green, an African-American, and calling the case “racially motivated,” the article fails to inform readers why the citations were dismissed, drawing additional online commentary regarding racist speculation.

Easily visible in the public court record, the State Attorney’s Office dropped the charges. As is normal in a dropped misdemeanor traffic case, the attached traffic citations were therefore dismissed. The State Attorney’s office routinely drops misdemeanor cases with first-time offenders who enter a diversionary program. Often such deals are crafted with the input and approval of the law enforcement officer.

The judge had nothing to do with that deal — he was just moving his docket along to the next case. There is no racism fire here or public injustice.

Jacob A. Rush, Gainesville


Slanted coverage

What is the crime of our president? He had sex (not yet proven) with two women before his campaign and paid them to keep their mouths shut. Oh Lord, save us. In France, they would laugh this off as a joke.

Somehow our news media has become so slanted they want to conflate this with a tsunami. It's not false news but it is terribly slanted — like a pool hall where the balls only roll into the back two pockets.

Hey, I've got it. Why not put a picture of a colored American flag where you usually put your anti-Trump cartoons with the caption "God bless America"! That's right, something positive supporting our great country.

Daniel Freedman, Gainesville


Practical investments

Instead of providing $92 million for military spending on parades or fighter planes, perhaps the government should consider something more practical such as education, school safety or the environment.

Stephen C. Morton, Gainesville


Write a letter
