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Letters to the Editor
Readers - April 2007
Green Building
Cynthia Barnett's article on green building ["Going Green," February, FloridaTrend.com] calls attention to businesses taking great steps to conserve energy. These companies should be lauded for their efforts. However, businesses that cannot afford the large investments necessary to make sweeping changes should know they can still do their part to save energy and help protect Florida's natural resources.
Businesses of any size can adopt "good energy habits" without having to reengineer their current operations. Most utility companies offer programs to help customers become more energy-efficient, and, as a result, save money on their monthly bills. For example, FPL customers can request a free business energy evaluation -- a detailed analysis of their energy use along with recommended steps they can take to reduce output. Many businesses also qualify for incentives in which FPL will help pay for energy- efficient installations and upgrades. When it comes to saving energy, readers should know it doesn't have to be "all or nothing." Small, individual adjustments in energy use can bring us closer toward our goal of a "greener" future. And if more businesses took simple steps to reduce their consumption, the cumulative savings would benefit all Floridians.
Tracie Bagans
Florida Power & Light Miami
Overdevelopment
"Here We Go Again" [February, Florida- Trend.com] is an excellent editorial.
Soon after moving to southwest Florida (Sanibel), it dawned on me that perhaps relative to developmental and environmental concerns, the political structure in southwest Florida might be different from other areas in which I have lived, such as Atlanta (Haves vs. Have Nots) or Memphis (Black vs. White). In southwest Florida, we seemed to have the Rich vs. the Rich -- developers vs. anti-developers. I suppose, though, that I was in a cocoon on Sanibel as locals/part-timers very successfully resisted overdevelopment while the rest of the area has well over 200 golf communities, perhaps that many more planned.
The developers -- some of whom are sincere in their environmental concerns or have rationalized to themselves that they are while others don't care ("I want the $$$ now!") -- are winning. Unfortunately.
Houston Ball
Knoxville, Tenn.
Economics of Arts
I appreciate Mark Howard's "Three C's" editorial [January, FloridaTrend. com], but there are several points that would be helpful to have been included. While economic developers may be unsure about how an arts center benefits their community, it's not for lack of data. A report titled "Arts and Economic Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofits and Their Audiences" provides that information, as does the "Creative Industries" reports compiled annually by Americans for the Arts. Performing arts centers do have a positive impact on a community's economic health.
Yes, the arts (music, visual art, theater and dance) represent a huge industry in Florida, employing more than 160,000. However, we must not forget creativity and learning about the arts start in our schools. Arts education is critical to forming productive, engaged citizens. In our schools is where we begin to raise a society of citizens who care about the arts, and we do this through a strong commitment to art-enhanced curriculum. It is also where the next generation of Americans who will be working in the coming "creative economy" will be educated.
Whether taking place in our schools and universities or through one of the nearly 37,000 arts-related businesses in the state, arts events and activities fuel Florida's economic development, attract tourists and grant money, and create jobs and opportunity. More and more, the arts are becoming recognized as an integral part of our communities. We must also ensure the arts are an integral part of our education system and that policies are enacted to that end. Without the proper opportunities and exposure to art education, the halls of these performing arts centers may one day be empty because no one cares to show up. Moreover, the next generation of the workforce must have the imagination and creativity to approach existing systems with innovative solutions -- and the arts are that piece of the curriculum.
Nurtured in youth, an appreciation of the arts will pay dividends for a lifetime.
James Perry President,
Center for Fine Arts Education
Tallahassee
