Friday's letters: Safe haven, trees wreak havoc, no response from GOP
Hurricane shelters are vital
I spent Tuesday and Wednesday nights before Hurricane Ian made landfall at the Taylor Ranch Elementary School in Venice. The building had been recently upgraded so that it would be a safe shelter in a hurricane.
I brought a beach chair, a fleece robe, iced tea, snacks, a book and my phone.
The staff was very kind and professional. They even fed us pancakes, coffee and sandwiches. I felt like they really cared about me.
My cheerful, clean, first-grade classroom was a safe haven for about 25 people, mostly seniors. We had our own bathroom, and the staff constantly resupplied us with toilet paper and paper towels. There were police and emergency workers.
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I felt so safe that I slept through a lot of the hurricane! My house had some minor roof damage, but I would have been terrified had I spent that night alone with water licking up to my front door and into my garage.
Never think that you and your loved ones can survive a hurricane, but not a hurricane shelter! It was great.
Driving home after the hurricane was challenging, but the school was only a few miles from my home, so I was able to get back fast and tackle the cleanup.
Thank you, Taylor Ranch – and thank you to all the public servants for keeping us safe and calm!
Catherine P. Henry, Englewood
No news about Ian was bad news
“Gramma,” our grandsons 8 and 11 years old asked, “Will your house in Florida be OK?”
Yes, dears – we put our hurricane shutters up when we left for a few months and, unless the old trees fall on it, all will be fine.
No news was good news until we heard from our house watcher. Those trees did us in. The roof tiles were in disarray. The cooking porch roof was gone. The pool cage was destroyed beyond repair and thrown into the pool with more tree debris.
There was no electricity for seven days and only one returned call from businesses. Anxiety set in as we headed the 1,250 miles home.
Eleanor Vick, Venice
No GOP candidates respond to voter guide
The League of Women Voters has for decades provided the electorate with nonpartisan information on upcoming elections. It asks all the candidates for their positions on current issues, and it seeks to have an informed electorate.
So it is scary and telling that when Florida’s current Republican candidates for state and federal offices have been asked by the League to share their views on the issues, they have all declined to provide any answers.
This is a major coordinated break in tradition. These are issues concerning all Floridians.
Keep in mind that in 2020, the Republican Party did not put forth a platform at its national convention to inform voters about its positions on the issues. The same party that endorsed a would-be autocrat for president is once again failing to inform the electorate.
Listen up Americans: Do you want a democracy or a dictatorship? Hold candidates responsible. Pay attention!
Susan W. Newmark, Longboat Key
No bills at walk-in clinic for uninsured
It came as no surprise that people are overwhelmed by huge medical bills (“Feeling overwhelmed by your medical bills,” Oct. 10).
A visit to any of our local emergency rooms could result in a bill in the thousands of dollars. Added to that there is the high cost of prescription medicine.
Fortunately, residents of Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties who are uninsured and have low income can see a doctor and get free prescription medicine at the Good Samaritan Pharmacy & Health Services in Nokomis.
The free walk-in medical clinic, open since 2015, is staffed by volunteer licensed doctors, nurses, pharmacists and trained patient advocates. Although no appointment is needed, anyone may call for an appointment.
The major advantage of using these services is that everything is free – no sliding fees - and with the pharmacy on-site, patients can begin their therapy immediately.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 941-445-5687.
Bill Palace, Osprey
Vote ‘no’ on sales tax extension
Just received my mail-in ballot, so here's a "Thank you" to our wonderful Sarasota County elections office.
I urge everyone to vote "No" on the 1% sales tax extension for 15 more years! Do not give our county commissioners any more money to supplement the overdevelopment they have rubber-stamped without providing the infrastructure to support it.
They do not hear our pleas to rein in the out-of-control development of Siesta Key, Old Miakka, Venice, North Port – everywhere! They approve it all, and we pay for it.
With a $1.5 billion budget (15% more than last year), they have enough of our money.
End the sales tax subsidies. Vote "No" on the sales tax extension.
Michaelynn Magac, Sarasota
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Comfortable haven in storm, no response from GOP in voter guide
