"As an alum of USFSP, and a teacher, I watched the board meeting to see if anyone would address the destruction of the USF college of education. The local county superintendent spoke, representing all of the superintendents in the Tampa Bay region. He was clear and succinct and raised a disturbing picture about the university decision to close the college of education undergraduate programs. USF leadership at the meeting failed to respond to his remarks with any due consideration. No mention of that in this article."

-- Marvin Hancock from USF Provost: St. Petersburg campus needs to do more to retain and graduate its students

"This is Not an issue of property values, NIMBY (not in my neighborhood) or the residents objecting to affordable housing in our neighborhood. We welcome any income level and only object to the density and scope of this project. Give us 30 or 40 units and 3 stories or less and there would be no fight ir objections. There is a glaring lack of supporting infrastructure, roadways, local shopping, public transportation etc to support 95+ proposed units and between 4 and 7 stories. This is an issue of building density and rezoning that does not fit the needs or voices of the community."

-- Sean Urban from Legal challenge puts hold on planned affordable housing project

"99% of those who oppose the amendment are residents of Old SE. It’s a case of NIMBYISM City Council already made up their minds. It will pass—there’s no fighting it. Voting “no” will hinder our economic hubs. People will go to Tampa to live and work. Also if voted “no”, developers will attain massive assemblages of lots in neighborhoods surrounding downtown such as Campbell Park, Wildwood Heights, 13th Street Heights, Melrose-Mercy, Bartlett Park etc (all disadvantaged neighborhoods) tear them out and rezone. Where are these people going to go? Don’t further restrict a built out, exploding peninsular city. If you say “no” you’re asking for massive accelerated gentrification in this city."

-- Shaquille Lashley from Community Voices: Why so hasty on the Coastal High Hazard Area prosposal?

"What neighborhood does the writer of this opinion live? What qualifications does he possess to offer it? Dozens of professionals have poured into this amendment to insure it be a viable plan to protect our environment and allow smart growth in 41% of our city. I urge council to move forwards and not let the voices of a few disgruntled living in a single neighborhood sway what’s right for our city."

-- Mario Farias from Community Voices: A better way to develop the CHHA