Property taxes boost Sarasota County library
Thanks to Winter Haven City Manager T. Michael Stavres for his guest column on the many ways property taxes fund important public services (“Here’s What Your Property Taxes Really Provide,” February 2).
But it fails to mention an important service funded primarily by property taxes: our public libraries.
Readers have accused me of supporting a Florida income tax. I apologize|Opinion
On the evening of Thursday, March 14, 2025, every seat in the Selby Public Library was filled, with some guests even sitting on the floor to listen to Shelby Van Pelt’s speech. Shelby Van Pelt is the author of “Extraordinarily Bright Creatures” and a finalist for the 2025 Sarasota County One Book, One Community program.
Last year, Sarasota County borrowed nearly 2.8 million items from our outstanding public library system, and more than 166,000 people participated in library programs and activities.
Our library system offers a vast selection of books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and more at no cost to those who use these resources.
Talk about affordability!
Ilene Denton, Vice President, Sarasota County Library Foundation
Praise for Buchanan’s role in health care
It is with deep gratitude that I want to share with you the impact Congressman Vern Buchanan has made in improving health care for his constituents, the state of Florida, and the nation.
His leadership during 10 terms in Congress has been a guiding force in advancing innovation and practical solutions in health care.
I lead BayCare Health System, the region’s largest academic health system, which is building a hospital that will be Manatee County’s only not-for-profit hospital and will open in 2028.
BayCare’s mission is to improve the health of all those we serve, including working with our elected leaders to improve access to care.
Rep. Buchanan has been a true partner in this vision.
During his tenure as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, Rep. Buchanan embraced new solutions to expand access to care, such as the Home Hospital Waiver Program that allows patients to recover in the setting of their choice.
Another example: Promoting personal ownership of health through incentivizing wearable technology.
Health care delivery in this country is incredibly complex, but leaders like Rep. Buchanan make sure we keep moving forward.
We all applaud the Congressman’s leadership.
Stephanie Conners, President and CEO, Clearwater BayCare Health System
Herald-Tribune: How to send a letter to the editor
This article originally appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Property taxes boost Sarasota County’s great library system | Letters
