An article in The Ledger indicates Lakeland Electric has entered into an agreement to purchase energy from a 74.8 MW solar farm owned by Williams. [Work kicks off on Williams’ large-scale solar project in North Lakeland, March 9]
Lakeland Commissioner Stephanie Madden is quoted as saying that this is a responsible investment. Seth Blackwell says the city sees the system as both affordable and reliable.
Who we don’t hear from are the people responsible for dispatching Lakeland Electric’s power. I have no idea how these people are going to economically fit this new, must use solar farm into the existing energy supply system (fleet).
What the average electric power consumer wants is reliability and low cost. Solar farms are not reliable (dispatchable) due to their inherent variability in energy output based on weather conditions and time of day.  The article does not indicate the impact on customer bills. Lakeland Electric needs to be transparent and indicate if the solar farm will lower or raise the cost of energy.
What about people concerned with carbon dioxide emissions? Per Bill Gates’ book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” worldwide power generation contributes 26% to carbon dioxide emissions. The impact of a 74.8 MW design (18 MW average) solar farm on climate change would be insignificant.
Edward McDonald, Auburndale
Voice of the People, March 8, 2026: No refunds for consumers who paid illegal tariffs
As a combat decorated soldier from the Vietnam War, the news of one of our neighbors being the first to die in Operation Epic Fury only brings home the personal cost of this misadventure in the Middle East. An episode of an administration that cannot get its reasoning communicated clearly to the taxpayers of this country.
Let’s not forget the extraordinary cuts made to programs of Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP ($1.1 billion per year) and the impact it is having on lower income and middle-class citizens. An action that was deemed necessary to be able to give tax breaks to the “Trump-Epstein Class,” AKA Trump’s Cabinet members and cronies.
Besides the excruciating personal loss of our neighbors, the military costs of Operation Absolute Resolve (Venezuela) estimated at $1.1 billion to $2 billion, including $20 million per day to stage assets. And Epic Fury through March 2 has cost us $5 billion, including $630 million to stage our military assets in preparation. Estimated long-term projections are from $40 billion to potentially $95 billion. And a broader economic impact of $210 billion to trade and energy markets.
Where are our priorities?
We should tax Trump’s pals to pay for Trump’s wars.
Bruce W. Paulson, Winter Haven
Voice of the People, March 1, 2026: Grady Judd’s hyperbole over protest
I read in The Ledger where two elected officials and one deputy city manager were all exonerated of any violations of the Florida Statutes Ethics guidelines. [3 Polk County officials cleared, Feb. 15]
It seems the members of the Florida Ethics Commission either do not understand the law or are willing to turn a blind eye. The Florida Statutes Chapter 350FS states the commission’s job is to “promote public interest and maintain the respect of the people for their government.”
It doesn’t matter how these three people did what they did or what forum they used to spread their hateful remarks, ignore problems, etc. It doesn’t matter what the commission says, the public knows who these people are by their conduct.
Elected officials are supposed to represent all the citizens of this county and the cities in it. City and county employees are prohibited from enriching themselves, showing favoritism or giving preferential treatment to anyone, and from using their positions for personal profit.
The Ethics Commission is supposed to be the public’s guardian to ensure compliance. The least they could have done is censure these people for their conduct.
Remember this when you vote for your county representatives. Bad behavior should never be rewarded.
Patricia Turner, Winter Haven
Voice of the People, Feb. 22, 2026: Polk students’ ICE protests aren’t courageous
What if people whose last names begin with Bondi, Hegseth, Miller, Orban, Putin, Trump, etc. behaved like this?
“The LAW of Moses commanded us as a heritage for the community…. It overflows… with wisdom…. It runs over with understanding….  It floods with instruction…. The first human beings never finished comprehending wisdom….” 
Why can’t folks give wisdom a try?
Florence Deaner, Winter Haven
Send letters to the editor to voice@theledger.com, or Voice of the People, P.O. Box 408, Lakeland, FL, 33802. Submit on the website at http://tinyurl.com/28hnh3xj, or go to TheLedger.com, click on the menu arrow at the top of the website and click Submit a Letter. Letters must be 200 words or less and meet standards of decency and taste.

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