Greed yields Martin, St. Lucie cesspool; bag Old Dixie; defend Ziegler GOP trio? | Letters

Why has Martin County devolved from crown jewel to cesspool?

Martin County has been the crown jewel of the Treasure Coast with its vast waterways, ocean access, world-class fishing, incredible wildlife, clean air and abundant warmth.

Hidden just far enough away from the bustling metropolises of Dade and Broward counties and close enough to Orlando that you could make a day trip, Martin was the ideal location for those seeking a quiet, serene place to call home.

Many called it paradise. Protected by rigorous development regulations, Martin County had maintained its small-town charm, beachfront fishing community persona for decades.

If you traverse the Intracoastal Waterway down the coast of Florida, you will experience blue waters and picturesque scenes worthy of an artist's capture. You will know you have reached Martin County by the murky brown water and smell of decay. The St. Lucie Estuary is a toilet for all the foul waste dumped from Lake Okeechobee and the runoff from surrounding developments. From there, it works its way into the Indian River Lagoon.

The roar of jet engines continuously taking off and landing shakes windows, leaving a black film across homes and businesses and heavy toxins in the air. Blaring train horns annoyingly sound throughout the day and night, echoing across the water like a megaphone. If you live near their paths, the disruption of peace is unsettling.

Treaded heavily upon, Martin County residents take it on the chin like a champion expected to take a dive in a prizefight. At the same time, elected officials continue making deals compromising the once coveted way of life.

Controversy is the new norm as development sparks anger and debate over quality-of-life issues and environmental concerns. Remorseful residents ponder how such a pristine place could fall victim to such deterioration. Poor stewardship, ignorance and greed are how.

Nick Gulotta, Stuart

Time to relegate Old Dixie Highway to scrapheap?

Words are important. Names are important. They can convey values.

Take street names, for example. Some communities assist in navigation by using functional, value-neutral street names using numbers or letters. Some neighborhoods emphasize the value of nature by naming streets for trees or flowers.

But some names are so value-negative they are almost never used. Have you seen a “Hitler Highway” recently? Or a “Stalin Street?” Or “Genocide Circle?” What about “Dictator Drive?” Some names and concepts are too offensive to use.

One that sticks in my craw is “Plantation Drive.” That would be more aptly named, “Forced Labor Camp Drive.” And there is one that most of us in Indian River County use frequently to which we don’t give a second thought, but we should. The offensive name is “Old Dixie Highway.”

Most commonly, “Dixie” is associated with the old South and Confederate States. Dixie was considered the land south of the Mason-Dixon line, where the enslavement of people was legal and was the basis of the economy. The use of the term on street signs memorializes and gives tacit approval to the system of slavery that for 300 years produced devastating effects, which are yet to be repaired.

So I’d be pleased to see the name “Old Dixie Highway” be relegated to the trash heap of insensitive and inappropriate public designations.

How about a label that reflects positive values? Positive alternatives abound. “Democracy Drive” or “Republic Highway” come to mind. “Citizen’s Way” is a possibility. Or for those who like alliteration, we might use “Hibiscus Highway.”

Almost any name would be better than “Old Dixie Highway.” I say rename it!

Jack Stiefel, Vero Beach

IRSC slaps loyal classical music listeners in face

I am still in a state of shock that there is no longer a classical music station on the radio on the Treasure Coast.

When Indian River State College's radio station started playing Christmas music, I thought classical music would return after the holiday.

They are saying R&B is a more popular format than classical music. R&B may be popular in Fort Pierce, but I am not sure it is all that popular throughout the Treasure Coast. Besides, I thought NPR was supposed to be educational, like PBS.

Who made this decision? If WQCP was lacking financial support, why weren't the listeners told there was a possibility of losing our classical music station?

Will the station really get more money from R&B donors than from classical music donors?

As a member of the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance, I have been happy to see all that it is doing to support the arts on the Treasure Coast, but this radio format change feels like a slap in the face.

Joette Giorgis, Port St. Lucie

What's going on? Rep. Brian Mast trashed Fort Pierce and its mayor, Linda Hudson. The question is: Why now?

Mast should honor Reagan, create partnership with Fort Pierce, a city he serves

First, we would like to thank Rep. Brian Mast for his devoted service to this grateful nation and his gallantry during combat on the battlefield. He has proven himself as a stellar American leader. There are many veterans, political leaders, business owners and church leaders in need of his partnership.

Over the years, we have been warriors committed to improving the lives and conditions of the citizens in Fort Pierce, a district Rep. Mast represents in the U.S. Congress. We are pleading with him and his office to establish a partnership with the city of Fort Pierce, and work together to fix and repair, as well as change his perception that Fort Pierce is a dilapidated city.

It is imperative that he unite with Fort Pierce to help find new ways to uplift our beautiful the city, rather than pointing out the wounds of the city.

In the words of Ronald Reagan given in his farewell address to the nation on Jan. 11,1989:  "We must always consider that we shall be a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us."

Jerome Rhyant, Fort Pierce 

Mast, Congress must fully fund nutrition program for women, children

While America stands at the precipice of fiscal disaster, Congress delays, adjourns, obstructs and wastes both time and money on their absurd priorities: restoring whole milk to school lunches and investigations without facts or substance.

Welcome to the Political Theater of the Absurd, where solutions to real crises like downgrading America's credit for the first time in its history, immigration reform, a budget and aid for our democratic allies who are in a fight for survival are avoided in favor of the nonsensical.

But this avoidance of responsibility comes at a very high cost both at home and abroad. For example, if Congress fails to fully fund WIC by Jan. 19, estimates from various women's organizations say states will need to reduce WIC nutrition participation by about 2 million young children and pregnant and postpartum adults nationwide by September.

Extensive research cited by Moms Rising and the Economic Policy Institute, among others, found WIC to be a cost-effective investment that strengthens our local and national economies and improves the nutrition and health of hardworking low-income families — leading to healthier infants, more nutritious diets and better health care for children and subsequently to higher academic achievement for students.

Nothing reveals priorities more clearly than the things we (as people or as government) spend our money on.

Clearly this Congress has prioritized showmanship, brinkmanship and drama over the needs of its women, children and families. It is time to call on Congressman Brian Mast and the House Majority to re-order their priorities. Tell them to make fully funding WIC a new top priority.

Felicia Bruce, Fort Pierce 

Harrell, Overdorf should sponsor Alzheimer's program for law enforcement

The Florida Legislature is considering many bills that will impact our neighbors, family and friends. One bill — the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Training for Law Enforcement Officers — is critical to the more than 580,000 Floridians living with Alzheimer’s and their 827,000 family caregivers.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6 in 10 Floridians with Alzheimer’s will wander at least once throughout the course of their disease. This along with the inability to identify places and names elevate the chances individuals may interact with law enforcement.

This is very personal for me. Unfortunately, my uncle Norman, who was like my second dad, went missing for 18 long, excruciating hours. Thankfully, he was found the next day and returned home safely. It is crucial that we educate law enforcement officers in what to expect and how to approach someone suffering with this devastating disease.

That is why I am advocating for House Bill 801/Senate Bill 208, which will establish an Alzheimer’s and related dementia continuing education course for law enforcement. It is imperative that we equip our law enforcement officers with the resources needed to properly address situations involving those with Alzheimer’s, including crisis situations.

I ask that Sen. Gayle Harrell and Rep. Toby Overdorf please consider co-sponsoring this critical legislation.

Nancy Ginden, Palm City

Can lessons of church women martyred in El Salvador help today?

Today in America, there is deep political division. The world is troubled with wars, poverty and global warming.

It is important to find hope. Forty years ago, four American women found hope in God and they died because of it. Sisters Maura Clarke, Ita Ford and Dorothy Kazel and Jean Donovan stayed to help the people of El Salvador, when that country was undergoing a brutal civil war. They knew there was a very real risk of being killed.

Sister Maura wrote: “The situation is very tragic. People are fleeing … looking for some kind of safety as the so-called death squadron strikes anywhere and everywhere … Each day we trust God to guide our ways … and in spite of fear and uncertainty at time, I feel at peace and hopeful.

“The church’s role is to accompany those who suffer the most, and to witness our hope in the resurrection.”

Ann Frearson will give a free talk about the four American church women martyred in El Salvador at 10 a.m. Feb. 3 at the Best Western in Stuart. For more information, call 772-341-7370.

Louise Cunha, Stuart

Preschool educator: Youngsters directed to too much screen time

Being in the business of teaching children of preschool age, I have many concerns for their futures.

On one hand, the experts on children say that screen time should be limited to 30 minutes a day for older preschoolers and 30 minutes a week for toddlers, and then, when they enter voluntary pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, computers are assigned to them for assessments or lessons. Many have no idea how to navigate technology because their parents listened to the experts and followed their advice. The social aspects of learning seem to have gone by the wayside.

I have been in the preschool environment for more than 30 years and the basic needs of children have not changed. They most of all need to belong and feel loved and safe. They need to be listened to and have conversations with adults and children. Knowledge comes from the teachers, their peer and hands-on, visual and auditory learning.

The excitement of their surroundings within the classroom has a dramatic effect on their learning. Socializing, problem-solving and independent learning is our goal for these little people.

We have found our children to be very successful without the use of screen time. So the powers that be in Tallahassee or wherever need to re-assess the true needs of young children.

Nancy Bruno, Palm City

How can right defend Florida GOP Chair Ziegler with straight face?

A letter to the editor Jan. 7 starts with the line: “The quote from the vice chairman of the Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler’s indiscretion was a ‘black eye’ on the party falls short of reality.”

No, what falls short of reality is seemingly trying to get readers to think that the alleged rape and video voyeurism by the Florida Republican Party chairman are in the category of an “indiscretion.“

And the right wants to complain about media manipulation?

Tom Going, Vero Beach

Shocking immigration numbers should be wake-up call

Let's look at the number of illegal border crossings, by month for 2023:

January-156,274; February-128,877; March-162,317; April-211,401; May-204,561; June-144,607; July-132,652; August-181,059; September-269,735; October-240,988; November-191,113; December-225,000 (first 27 days).

Total: 2,044,023

This number is greater than the population of of Austin, Texas; Miami, Seattle, Nashville or Boston.

When are we going to wake up and demand that our borders be closed to all but those using the legal means to immigrate, otherwise we are doomed?

Ray Mancari, Vero Beach

Trump Cabinet members warn public not to re-elect him

Do people who support Donald Trump realize he is, or wants to be, a dictator?

His policy is just like Vladimir Putin (who he seems to admire). He wants to get rid of people who don't agree with him. Putin did just that when he sent his most ardent competitor to a harsh, brutal prison in Siberia. The enemies of the tyranical governments in North Korea and China also treat dissidents harshly.

Trump even wants to jail Joe Biden. Why?

Do Trump supporters want to give up our democracy and U.S. Constitution?

I can't think of anything good Trump wants that's good for this country. In fact, members of Trump's past Cabinet have warned us: Never let Trump get elected again, because it would be so bad for the world, let alone our country.

Rita Wolper, Stuart

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Brian Mast, Harrell, Overdorf can help; tots screen time; Trump woes