Assault weapons ban; Costco plans; book restrictions; Sebastian garbage contract; Disney

Treasure Coast Newspapers
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Rep. Mast should take lead on assault weapons ban

As a wounded war veteran, Congressman Brian Mast has seen firsthand the devastation caused by AR-15s. He knows these weapons of war have no place on our streets, killing our children and threatening law enforcement.

His concern for his own security is the reason given by his staff for the decision not to hold in-person town halls.

The congressman holds one of the safest Republican seats in Congress. He is uniquely qualified to take the lead in sponsoring a ban on AR-15s.

The public is overwhelmingly in favor of reinstating this ban, which did result in a reduction in mass shootings while in effect. As his constituents, we need to make the congressman aware of our wishes and encourage him to show the heroism he showed on the battlefield in the halls of Congress.

Jeanne Gibson, Jensen Beach

More: Rep. Brian Mast calls for ban on future assault rifle sales after Parkland shooting

Sharon Garland, of Hobe Sound, participates in the March For Our Lives nationwide protest on the Roosevelt Bridge in response to the Uvalde school shooting Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Stuart. "I'm here because the gun violence in our country has gotten out of control and our congress needs to step up and reinstitute gun safety laws. We used to have a ban on assault weapons in this country that was allowed to expire during the George W. Bush administration and I believe we need to readdress that issue. We need to have a ban on the sale of assault weapons," said Garland. March For Our Lives is a youth-led movement dedicated to promoting civic engagement, education, and direct action by youth to eliminate the epidemic of gun violence.

Costco foes need to embrace the future

In response to Vera Cavallo ... again.

FYI, I was not one of the NIMBYs in Palm City who did not want Costco. I fully supported Costco and the location, close to Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike, but the NIMBYs got it rejected.

So instead of a viable and vibrant retailer, we now have a tractor supply, maybe a hotel, maybe a gas station, maybe a grocery store, maybe, maybe.

And that's better because? Guess all those Palm City farmers need a place to shop.

And Ms. Cavallo missed the point about Willoughby completely. Yes, it's a beautiful community, but when it was beginning to be permitted/developed, how does she think the residents felt about such a massive development in the sleepy town of Stuart? Does she not think there were NIMBYs then protesting this?

To the best of my knowledge, there will always be pros and cons to every municipal decision made. Even here across the bridge, in my quiet fiefdom of Palm City, where there has been massive growth and development.

Martin County has been discovered, folks. Our piece of paradise is rapidly growing and changing. I guess we need to grin and bear it or get out.

Jan Belwood, Palm City

More: State rules in favor of Costco, reversing judge's ruling against Stuart in lengthy appeal

Why certain books scare our state's leaders

Dan Armstrong’s letter on April 2 hit the nail on the head as to why there are book bans going on in our schools. In talking about students, he states: “school library books have made them more open minded and knowledgeable about controversial but essential subjects.”

This is what our governor and legislature would call “woke” and it is precisely what they don’t want our children and young adults to become: open-minded and knowledgeable. Because “open-minded and knowledgeable” people tend to be liberal-minded because they are educated and smart and have been exposed to “controversial but essential subjects."

Edward Booth, Port St. Lucie

More: Martin County schools remove more than 80 book titles for sexual, racial content after complaints

Grace Linn, 100, of Jensen Beach, waves to an applauding crowd after she spoke about the 80 books that were removed last month from district school media centers during the Martin County School Board meeting, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 500 SE Ocean Blvd in Stuart. "My husband, Robert Nicoll, was killed in action in World War II, at a young age, defending our democracy, Constitution and freedoms," said Linn. "One of the freedoms the Nazis crushed was the freedom to read the books they banned. They stopped the free press, banned and burned books. The freedom to read, which is protected by the First Amendment is our essential right and duty of our democracy. Even so, it is continually under attack by both public and private groups who think they hold the truth." Pulitzer Prize winner Toni Morrison and best-selling young-adult novelist Jodi Picoult are some of the writers whose works were removed from the Martin County School District's middle and high schools last month.

Sebastian garbage service really stinks

I was shocked to learn that a 7-year agreement was made by the Sebastian City Council which will mandate garbage collection for all households. No more choice for residents!

How many of us were there at the meeting to weigh in on this? How can council members know what most residents want? This deal is not good for residents.

It also raised our rates from $43.26/quarter to $19.45/month, which is going to be higher since a 6% franchise fee will be included. Why the franchise fee? Our bill will be about $20 more each quarter! That means $80 more per year.

Collection will only be once a week.  Now it is twice a week.

In 15 months, this garbage collection will become part of our tax bill, so that with a 3% increase each year, many taxpayers will not realize how much more we will be paying for less service. Will council members review the cost each year?

Since the city will be billing residents before the charge is part of our tax bills, it may result in several hundred thousand dollars in debt for Sebastian. Great planning, City Council!

In the last five months, I have called Waste Management six times to complain that our garbage was not picked up as scheduled. Many of my friends and neighbors in the city have also remarked that the service is not reliable. Why didn't the council members consider bids from other garbage collection companies?

I hope other citizens speak out about this and show up at the next Sebastian City Council meeting to voice their concerns on April 12.

Mary Jane Ingui, Sebastian

If we're going to censor, let's celebrate it properly

Thomas Bowdler and his sister Henrietta published “The Family Shakespeare” in 1807. The censored work deleted all passages and words in Shakespeare’s plays deemed by the Bowdlers to be indecent.

Since then, the word "bowdlerize" has come to mean prudish, fig-leaf censorship. Some teachers, librarians and other snooty intellectual types now celebrate Bowdler’s birthday as a cautionary recognition.

I suggest Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaim Bowdler Day July 11 a state holiday, with the closure of public schools, libraries, art museums and other woke facilities. Such closures would, of course, be temporary.

Jim Fogel, Hobe Sound

Please, Gov. DeSantis, leave our cash mouse alone

Why is the governor going after the golden goose?

Perhaps the largest single tourist attraction in Florida, generating more money than any other single industry in the state, is being targeted. Governor, please don’t hurt Mickey.

Jerry Klein, Stuart

Where's the media outrage of Biden family's misdeeds?

For the record, I found the recent story by AP Reporter Jill Colvin, “Trump indictment: End of 'Teflon Don,' " biased and insulting.  If only Ms. Colvin had spent this much time covering things that are really important, such as migrants on the southern border being stuffed into the backs of vans or Hunter Biden’s laptop.

From Day 1 when President Joe Biden undid all of Donald Trump’s accomplishments, it’s been a downward spiral for our country. Are you better off now than you were four years ago?

Recently released bank records show Hunter Biden took money from China and distributed it to no fewer than four Biden family members shortly after his father left office. Now that’s a story worth reporting.

If anyone is coated with Teflon, it’s the Biden family, thanks in large part to the media. Can you imagine if Trump’s kids had left a laptop filled with questionable monetary transactions with China and Russia?

Sadly, journalistic integrity is dead, but Trump Derangement Syndrome is alive and well. The press turns a blind eye to any missteps from Joe Biden and his feckless administration. The coverage is either glowing or at the very least neutral.

And for the record? The reason nothing has “stuck” to Donald Trump is that all of the charges have been politically motivated ― the impeachments, the January 6th dog and pony show, and now this travesty of justice.

Prosecutor Alvin Bragg is doing the Democrats' bidding. They want Donald Trump to be the Republican presidential candidate because they think the press and outlets like MSNBC and CNN have tarnished him so badly they will once again win. They want to pull the rabbit out of the hat a second time and God help America if they do.

Patricia Perrone, Stuart

A letter writer's message was inspiring

I so appreciated Dr. Judy DiMattia's letter from March 29, "Local authors make for great speakers." What a bit of refreshment in the midst of the usual political opinions. As a local author, I found Dr. DiMattia's letter validating, encouraging and motivating. I'll continue to pursue ways to interact with the community as she suggested. A win-win for all! Thanks for the advocacy, Dr. DiMattia!

Patricia Butler, Stuart

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Assault weapons; Costco; book restrictions; Sebastian garbage; Disney