Letters to the editor should be 250 words or less. Include your name and city or community of residence. Guest opinions should be 600 words or less and include a brief summary of the author’s credentials relevant to the topic. Guest opinions may include a head shot of the author. For the Fort Myers News-Press, email submissions to mailbag@news-press.com and for the Naples Daily News to letters@naplesnews.com
Keep school board nonpartisan
Here in Lee County, school resumes after summer break on August 12, 2024. About three months later, Floridians will be considering a constitutional amendment that, if passed, could take away the rights of parents to vote for their children’s school boards. It’s paradoxical that in this state that touts “parental choice” throughout the educational process, some parents would have no choice in determining who sets the policy and direction of their children’s schools.
The offending proposal is Amendment 1, making school board elections partisan. What could be wrong with signaling one’s perspective about education in broad terms through party alignment? Look more closely at the details. Since Florida is a closed primary state, only registered members of a political party can vote in a primary, and then they can only vote for candidates from their party. School board elections, with more limited slates of candidates, are often decided in the primary. If, for example, the only viable candidates are registered as Republicans, none of the Independents or Democrats would have any input into their school board members. The same would be true if the parties were switched, of course.We need all of our constituents to be able to select from all of our candidates, in order to provide the best leadership possible for our children. When you’re preparing next fall to send your kids or grandkids back to school, be sure to prepare to do your best for them by voting NO on Amendment 1.
Rev. Dr. Sally Haynes, Sanibel
Cape Council criticism
Our city website contains approximately one year of council meetings and documents. We can’t look back to see how council has governed and how our hard-earned money is being squandered. We won’t know who acted on our behalf, except for one year. Should this and other deceptive practices continue, the public will see a corrupt organization, not individual council members.Fort Myers website includes videos and documents from 2019, Bonita Springs 2015, Port St. Lucie 2019, North Port 2014. Venice 2013 and Sanibel 1974.Our utility rates, impact fees, the stipend and salaries were determined by using data from other municipalities, some of which are above. Consultants gather data from other municipalities to generate studies that justify increases in taxes, fees and other charges. If cyber security is a problem why not retain consultants to bring us into compliance and help our city clerk? Or is there something council and/or staff doesn’t want us to see?
Voters will push back in 2024 and 2026. I intend to use any legal means necessary to defeat any referendum that codifies your illegitimate stipend, no matter how it’s framed.Apparently council doesn’t want working people at the meetings. Why else would council consider 9 a.m. meetings, a draconian move? Why not charge $100 admission and keep "the pesky residents" away? This appears to be another self-inflicted wound, like the stipend, destroying the Yacht Club and Jaycee Park. Council shoots itself in both feet while implying, through rule changes, the residents did it.Good luck in November.John Sullivan, former mayor, Cape Coral
Letter carrier food drive
Millions of Americans live from one day to the next uncertain where their next meal will come from — a sad statistic that helps to reinforce the importance of The National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, to be held this year on Saturday, May 11. Letter carriers see many of these folks along our routes each day. Our food drive can make a positive difference in the lives of those who have been dealt difficult circ*mstances in their life. Since launching in 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States.
Locally, Meals of Hope and letter carriers will be collecting food on May 11. You can play a major role, if you’re leaving to go back home prior to that date please leave your food at the box for your letter carrier or you can drop it off at the Post Office. Those who wish to help in a bigger way with donations of any sort or local markets who would like to kick start the drive with a few thousand cans of food please contact Steve Popper, president of Meals of Hope (239) 596-8990, cell (239) 370-4800.Al Micieli, Naples, Branch 4716, National Association of Letter Carriers
McGregor Boulevard off limits?
Apparently McGregor Boulevard is “off limits” to people that don’t live on it? This was the statement made to me tonight while walking my dog on McGregor Boulevard at the Edison-Ford Estates. The person who expected me to “get out of his way” on his bicycle disregarded the fact that the estate fence is up against the sidewalk on one side, and there’s 30 inches of grass between the sidewalk and the cars ignoring the speed limits on the other.He came up behind me and could not wait until I reached a spot such as the fire hydrant easem*nt in the fence, but instead wheeled his bike around, blocked me on the sidewalk and threatened me. He said “what kind of blue-collar moron are you?” and “Don’t you know you’re supposed to stay on your side of Cleveland Avenue?”His own wife was disgusted with his conduct and rode on, leaving him behind, as he continued to shout profanities at me and yell that “I’d better learn my place and it’s not on McGregor Boulevard.”The significant lack of police presence in this area is a contributing factor to the entitled behavior of these individuals, who consider themselves above the law. As far as I’m concerned, the city does not do enough to protect pedestrians.Robert Waldrop, Fort Myers
Republican controversy
Now the Republicans are arguing amongst themselves as to what to do, pass legislation and get something done OR fight and dismiss their most recently elected leader. When will they get to doing what they were sent to Washington to do − that is run the country rather than run themselves into controversy? And we here in Florida have to put up with / tolerate Matt Gaetz who has become one of the rabble rousers!
Franklin Warner, Fort Myers
Value of occupational therapy
As April marks National Occupational Therapy Month, I’m writing to celebrate the value of occupational therapy in our Southwest Florida community.Occupational practitioners work with patients of all ages and health conditions to maximize their independence in everyday activities or “occupations.” Whether it’s helping children with Down Syndrome practice their social skills, basketball players with torn rotator cuffs, or veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder reintegrate into the community, occupational practitioners use research and critical thinking to develop unique treatments around patients’ goals. They address individuals’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs and modify the environment to promote accessibility and participation for all.You can find OTs and OTAs in hospitals, schools, community centers, homes, and more. Within these settings, they are pivotal in providing safety recommendations, education on adaptive equipment like dressing sticks, and increasing patients’ strength and function. A 2016 study revealed OT was the only Medicare spending category found to significantly decrease readmission rates for patients with pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction, and heart failure with increased investment. Another study within the last year found adults receiving occupational therapy services reduced their risk of falls in the hospital by 81%.With Encompass Health and Lee Health breaking ground on a new rehabilitation facility last month, occupational therapists will be among many health professions supporting future patients’ recovery. I urge our community to join me in expressing appreciation for occupational practitioners and their unwavering commitment to enhancing lives and promoting independence, not just for April but for any month.Courtney Dougherty, University of Florida Occupational Therapy student, Cape Coral
We need better choices
As everyone should be aware we have an election this year for highest office for the most powerful country in the world. And the political parties have left us in a quandary as to who should lead this country.
If President Biden were your father would you allow him to drive your car or any car; balance your checkbook; cook on a stove; look after your young girls; go walking alone at night; believe anything he says without checking it?
If ex-President Trump were your son would you allow him to disobey all your rules and make up his own rules; disrespect your family, neighbors and people of authority; leave him alone with any girls; believe anything he says without checking it?
Being as naïve as I am I would like to believe everyone would say no to the above questions. Out of 340 million people these are our choices? One more question: When was the last time anyone has voted for someone instead of against someone. As Americans we must demand that our political parties give us a choice for the highest office in the land, before it's too late.
Theresa Wermerskirchen, Cape Coral
Media bias
Here is further confirmation of the bias of the media. Recently, a senior editor of National Public Radio outed the organization’s heavy liberal bias. Uri Berliner revealed that the group has 87 registered Democrats in editorial positions, but zero Republicans.Even though he is a liberal himself, Berliner was revealing how slanted the network has become.NPR is partly funded by our tax dollars. This is simply using our tax dollars to promote the liberal agenda. Can you imagine what the Left would be saying and doing if our tax dollars were funding Fox News?
Ron Wobbeking, Naples
Republicans must reject Trump
Will it take a tsunami to finally get these once responsible Republicans who have been conned by Trump to see him for what he really is?He doesn’t care one iota for anyone except himself. He has demonstrated over and over that he would be willing to burn America to the ground to stay in power. He has shown that he has no respect for our veterans, for women, for the law, for science, for anyone who doesn’t look like him and more.He has no integrity, no character, no empathy, no sense of humor. He thinks it is funny to imitate someone with a disability. He thinks it’s funny to insult people and give them not so complimentary nicknames.In short, as his former secretary of Defense made clear, he has absolutely no leadership qualifications.For sure Republicans in general are a pretty intelligent bunch of people, but more of those enlightened ones must summon the courage and take a stand before it’s too late.America doesn’t need to be made great again Trump's way, it already is great.
Fred Jodice, North Fort Myers
Clean water amendment
It’s in your mailbox! Please, watch your mail for your opportunity to continue your support for “The Florida Right to Clean and Healthy Water” amendment. Your action is essential in our efforts to safeguard Florida’s waters.We cannot thank you enough for signing the 2024 petition. However, we did not achieve the required 900,000 signed petitions to be on the 2024 ballot. The petition you signed for the 2024 ballot initiative, by law, cannot be used for our new effort to be on the 2026 ballot.We’re kicking off our 2026 “Right to Clean and Healthy Water” amendment initiative by directly mailing the Floridians, who have shown their support previously, the new petition to sign and send. Please, continue your support by: Signing the new 2026 petition; asking two Florida registered voters to sign the enclosed petitions; sending all three petitions in the enclosed postage paid envelope.You can send up to five petitions in the envelope.
Over 200 organizations and businesses support the amendment including Calusa Waterkeeper, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, the League of Women Voters, and former Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah.Conservancy of Southwest Florida, SCCF and Captains for Clean Water sponsored a study that found a repeat of the 2018 algae bloom would cost our local economy $5.1 billion in economic output, a loss of 43,000 jobs, and $17.1 billion in decreased property values.Your support is crucial! Please, sign and send!Kathy Greenberg, Fort Myers
Not usual, sane or patriotic
Usually when a candidate says "If we don’t win on November 5th, I think our country is going to cease to exist. It could be the last election we ever have. I actually mean that. If we don’t win, I think this could be the last election we ever have," that candidate is rejected as a megalomaniac.
There is nothing usual, sane or patriotic about this Republican Party.
Bill Linehan, Naples
Basis for optimism
China’s, Russia’s & Trump’s Doom & Gloom Economies vs the USA’s vibrant dynamic economy led by Biden; WOW! Is there any doubt in this moment of time of the advantages of a free democratic society over totalitarian dictatorships which Trump is committed to achieve for America? Russia and China are seeding lies in the minds of Republican extremists in the House of Representatives in attempts to block support for Ukraine. Unfortunately Trump sychophantic representatives are even repeating the lies and, with repetition, they even begin to believe them. Consequently, our House of Representatives is a shipwreck assuming none of its responsibility for governing. How in the world someone like Marjorie Taylor Greene could cause our House of Representatives to be the shipwreck that it is, is mind boggling. And it all leads back to Trump sitting there in the courtroom with his doom and gloom while his crimes are being exposed to the American public.
"The EXvangelicals" by Sarah McCammon sheds light on the cause of the Trump control of peoples’ minds. It also provides a basis for optimism because many evangelicals are abandoning their mind entrapment and, simultaneously, support for Trump. Democratic control of the presidency, the House of Representatives and the Senate in November is a likely result of the doom and gloom of Trump, China and Russia.William Pettinger M.D., Bonita Springs
Israel fighting our battle
On April 14th a coalition of the unlikely prevented a bloodbath in Israel and humiliated the warmongers of the Islamic Republic. This was a stunning failure for the IRGC and a shock to its hired guns in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq. But defense alone cannot defeat an enemy, and this was not the “great victory” for Israel touted by our president.In line with its policy of bribing and appeasing the Islamic Republic at the expense of our allies, the Biden administration is once again restricting Israel’s right to respond. For its part, the Republican controlled House of Representatives is inexplicably slow walking a military aid bill.Israel narrowly survived a 21st Century Pearl Harbor, but the same latter day brownshirts and idiot dupes that rallied for Hamas are now praising the Islamic Republic. They are occupying our campuses, marching in our cities, obstructing our roads, bridges, and airports, spewing antisemitic hatred and chanting “death to America.” In another era they would have been labelled “a fifth column” and prosecuted.There is a war being waged against America and Western Civilization, and Israel is fighting our battle for us. The very least we can do is arm her and not tie her hands.Allen Menkin, M.D., CAMERAS Naples Partnership of Christians and Jews
America's image changed
America used to be like the Cleaver family: Normal and well respected in the neighborhood.Mr. Trump has changed that image drastically.It’s as if Ward Cleaver lost his mind and is running through the neighborhood in just his soiled undies shouting threats and absurdities so vile that even Eddie Haskell is aghast. June, Wally and Beaver are fearfully hiding in their basem*nt.Fred Rutherford and his son Lumpy are sitting in lawn chairs in their front yard munching popcorn and loving the spectacle.
J. Cant, Naples
