Hurricane fraud; no joy on book issue; Sebastian growth; sex law enforcement? | Letters
Beware of developers in Sebastian: Your neighborhood is next
The Sebastian Planning and Zoning Board meeting Sept. 7 was attended by many concerned citizens who spoke out against a proposed development that will negatively impact our neighborhoods.
All legitimate concerns were dismissed by appointed board member Louise Kautenburg, who could not get the facts straight when giving her summary opinion. She reveled in banging her gavel loudly when the audience tried desperately to correct her. But, despite three level-headed board members who intensely questioned the project's logistics, the proposal passed, 4-3.
The deciding vote was, to our dismay, a blow, and sealed the fate of two peaceful adjoining neighborhoods ― a clear disruption to the quality of life of their residents.
No matter the legitimacy of the concerns, the board had seemingly no interest in what the people had to say, as evidenced by board members' willingness to vote for this proposal without a full understanding of the impact their decision made on the people who live there, the safety of the children who play there and preservation of endangered wildlife.
Rather, they effortlessly dismissed the needs and desires of their constituents when we vehemently opposed such development.
The construction of a new road included in this plan will ultimately become a traffic nightmare, leading speeding traffic directly through an otherwise peaceful residential street. The construction of a new, unnecessary exit gate will bulldoze the habitat of many endangered species, with no plan for an environmental study.
This vote demonstrates the unwillingness of board members in Sebastian to seriously consider the needs of the community.
As concerned Sebastian residents, we need to rally citizens to oppose this injustice to our neighborhoods. Now it's happening to us. Don't allow these board members whose campaigns are supported by developers set a precedent, because your neighborhood is likely next.
Donna Greco, Sebastian
Moms for Liberty: Disconnect between 'joyful warriors' and hateful avengers
It was with a growing sense of disconnect that I read a recent Wall Street Journal interview of the co-founders of the Moms for Liberty, advocates termed “joyful warriors.”
The article appeared just a few days after an Indian River County School Board meeting Aug. 28. I attended on behalf of those requesting the board consider taking a proactive stance against the proposed African-American education state standards.
The “warriors” were in full force at the meeting, with volunteers reading passages from books they wished to have banned. Instead of simply requesting removal from public school library shelves, they opted for a public, televised hearing of reading passages, ignoring the chair, and importing from North Carolina the “book-banning pastor,” John Amanchukwu, for his well-rehearsed performance art.
Soon after the meeting, the threats from the Moms for Liberty supporters began: against elected officials, against citizens sharing the news of the meeting, against the local press, and against me personally, a retired Florida attorney and officer of the court.
Many of the comments made against me by those professing to be Moms for Liberty proponents were removed by Facebook, and an overt threat resulted in me calling local law enforcement to report anti-Semitic rhetoric and threatening language.
Personal insults are one thing, but personal threats are a step way too far. I thank the local press for continued reporting in the face of such ongoing threats.
One begins to understand the stance taken by the Southern Poverty Law Center, terming the organization an extremist group, when one witnesses firsthand in our small community the tactics used by warriors that are anything but “joyful,” but are all about control, with an agenda that is in every way anti-public education, anti-home rule and pro-big government interference.
Peggy Lyon, Vero Beach
More: Indian River County School Board meeting theatrics Exhibit A of how not to stage protest
Cleveland Clinic facility fee could end up costing you
I recently discovered that Cleveland Clinic Hospital is now billing outpatient doctor visits using a Code 22, which is a facility fee instead of Code 11 for an office visit.
I was not notified of the change until I received the bill. You would think, after being a patient for three years, someone would have notified me about the change before it occurred. As a result, my doctor's fee is no longer paid as a participating provider copay of $25, but $91.19, because it is paid under a hospital copay instead.
It is confusing that even though my visit is outside the hospital facility, in a separate building, this code can be used. It legally is allowed to use this code, but ethically it feels wrong.
The hospital's website says “Patient-centered care: We don’t just care for your health conditions. We care about you.” This seems contradictory to what I am experiencing.
Did Cleveland Clinic consider the impact it will be on someone financially and emotionally by using this different code? After three years of building a trusting relationship with my doctor, it will not be easy to change doctors, which makes me angry. It seems the hospital is invested more in making more money than in “patient-centered care."
I wanted to share my recent experience since Cleveland Clinic has neglected to do this. I hope this will make others aware and not have to learn through a bill of the change.
Liz Prudenti, Sebastian
Merlin app highlighted in article a must-use for bird fans
Thank you so much for publishing the article “WHO’s That Singing,“ by Tracee Herbaugh, in the Sept. 12 edition of the newspaper.
The birding app Merlin, developed by Cornell Labs, is indeed a great tool to have on one’s phone. I had the pleasure of using the app all summer in Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia and North Caroline and it was truly amazing the many, many different birds that the app identified.
Early in the morning while walking my dog was the best time to hear many ordinary birds, as well as others that were just passing through the area. The app not only identifies the birds by their songs, but then allows the user to see a picture of each bird.
If you are a nature lover and enjoy getting to know the birds in your area, downloading this free app is a must. Thanks again, TCPalm, for this great article.
Donna Hosang, Palm City
Fed up with content provider over cost, lack of ABC channel
In early September, I saw we could not get ABC, Channel 25, because of a dispute. There was not much information on the Dish website. There was a guy repeating himself on Channel 25 about the situation.
This is very unfair. We pay a lot of money for Dish in our community; it is one of the higher expenses.
Many channels are repetitive and annoying. Now they take away ABC, which has some of my favorite shows, with the new season starting soon. Shameful.
Why is it always about the money? I think it may be time for a change.
Barbara Hamilton, Fort Pierce
One thing to be victimized by storm; another to be victim of fraud
Insured property damage is projected to reach $9 billion after Hurricane Idalia. An eye-popping price tag, but far less than the $112 billion following Hurricane Ian’s Category 5 storm a year ago.
Cleaning up your property and rebuilding is pricey. But it can cost even more if you become a victim of fraud. And unfortunately, Florida and fraud go together like thunder and lightning.
Almost 100 years ago, the Ponzi scheme was born right here in the Sunshine State. Charles Ponzi famously conned people into buying swampland for development. Decades later, Florida remains a mecca of moving scams and mortgage fraud, land and insurance shams, roofing and contractor cons.
Like a fast-moving storm, popular wire fraud scams can inflict damage quickly because con artists can make money fast. This particular scheme involves tactics such as phishing, hacking and spoofing. Your computer is typically hacked by someone pretending to be your real estate agent, asking for a deposit into a bank account for closing costs.
The good news ― like preparing for an impending storm ― there are ways to protect yourself. Beware of changes made at the last minute. If something doesn’t look right, pick up the phone and call your agent, the title company or your lender and speak to them directly. Don’t send financial information in an email. Don’t rush into sending money or signing a contract.
This is especially relevant following a hurricane. If a contractor or roofer is pushing you to sign a contract or hand over a large deposit before any work is done, think twice. Ask for a business license, check the company’s history with the state and get feedback from previous customers.
Florida property owners know the risk of storm damage, but shouldn’t have to endure property loss or financial harm because of fraud.
Brandon Tucker, Martin County, is executive director of the Florida Landowners Association.
Who will enforce Florida genitalia, abortion laws?
As I watch the laws passed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and his foot soldiers regarding Floridians' genitalia and abortion, I wonder how they are going to enforce them.
One of the laws passed by those with this perverted obsession is that people must use the bathroom of the sex they were assigned at birth or face heavy penalties for not doing so.
Who is going enforce this law and how?
Joan Fox, Vero Beach
Bias? Indeed; easy to see where it rests ...
Since Moses came down from Mount Sinai, people have been complaining about the written word; a number of recent letters to the editor did, complaining that the news media is biased in favor of President Joe Biden.
The letters describe media coverage of Biden by the “Democrat-controlled media machine” (DCMM) as working overtime to keep Donald Trump’s legal woes in the spotlight, besmirching Trump’s good name and failing to report on Biden’s many as yet to-be-determined offenses.
None of those letters complained about the Republican-controlled media machine’s (RCMM) coverage of Biden and Trump. There were no complaints of bias in the RCMM’s news reports on Hunter or Joe Biden’s criminal pathology or about Trump’s election interference and leadership role in the Jan. 6 riot being characterized as acts of patriotism. According to those letters, DCMM’s coverage is biased and the RCMM’s coverage is not.
Complaints about finding, or more accurately, seeing bias in the news media is not exactly new news, nor is finding lies, misdirection or omissions in the media news to anyone. However, complaining about media bias without acknowledging that what people choose to read, write letters about, watch or listen to, says more about their biases and beliefs than any of Fox’s or CNN’s distortions.
Bias is in the eye of the beholder.
Chris Christensen, Palm City
Civil discussion beyond anonymous social media welcomed
I have to comment on this Letters to the Editor section.
It strikes me that there are essentially about 40-plus regular contributors, with a small percentage of one-time writers. I feel like I joined the TCPalm debate club since moving up here a little more than three years ago. It is enjoyable and we all share something in common. We are not afraid to express our opinions on nearly everything from local issues to national, etc.
I remember (yep, aging myself) when my former local newspaper had to limit submitters to once every 30 days due to the volume. The letters that begin "I am a local high school student, etc." are the ones that give me hope this is not going to disappear. We need to encourage involvement beyond anonymous social media.
Jeff Hamilton, Sebastian
Forgiving student loan debt would give us more money for all of this
Forgive student loan debt? What a slap on the cheek for those of us who have paid, or are paying, for money we have borrowed.
Admittedly, that would make more money available for tobacco, alcohol, drugs, tattoos and rock concerts.
Truly, American is the land of the free.
James A. Strine, Port St. Lucie
Thanks to Democrats for passing programs that help people's lives
On behalf of my many compassionate friends and myself, I would like to thank all the people who voted for a Democratic candidate, whether many years ago or in the recent past. As a result, the lives of the working and middle class benefited from wonderful programs.
Take a moment and look at what was accomplished by this party.
Medicare, Social Security, the Veterans Administration, civil rights, Affordable Health Care Act, minimum wage, unemployment insurance, Fair Pay Act, child labor laws, Medicaid, Voting Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and I'm sure there are many others.
Look at this picture and it's crystal clear the blue party has the interests of the working and middle classes first and foremost in its policies.
My deepest appreciation to everyone who realizes that this country would be in dire shape without the efforts of all the men and women in our workforce. Everyone benefits when all people have a chance to live a decent life.
Susan Johnson, Vero Beach
Start using common sense in making major decisions like these
It's time for we Americans to quit indulging in our habits of being fearful, angry, hateful, vengeful and warlike.
It's time we abandon choosing between the nastiest candidate for president and a milquetoast neoliberal guy, and vote for the best candidate, one who isn't fascist.
It's time we provide for a future for our kids, that we take seriously threats to our survival like the climate crisis and nuclear war, that we kept fossil fuels in the ground and stop wasting immense amounts of wealth on the rich, the corporations, the militarism and the imperialism.
It's time we took care of ourselves, of ordinary everyday people. It's time we use our common sense.
It's time!
Steve Gifford, Vero Beach
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hurricanes; bird calls; growth; sex laws; ABC; Moms joyful? | Letters
