Letters to the editor for Saturday, December 4, 2021

Note to readers: Partisan politics have kept state and national issues on the minds of many of us, and we get that. But we'd like to encourage more comments on local issues affecting Southwest Florida as well. Today's letters include views on local matters to get things started.

-- the editors

World-class health care within reach in Naples

What a joy to watch our community hospital achieve high grades. Naples has made clear its long desire to have world-class health care -- today it appears within reach.

Paul Hiltz (NCH Healthcare System CEO) is everything we hoped he would be. A brilliant and modest leader with a plan to deliver, he has assembled a team to succeed. The rezoning proposal of our landlocked downtown hospital is a work of art.

Considering everything from contiguous related specialties to providing affordable rental housing for outstanding medical personnel, here’s a plan we must all embrace. This includes our city leaders who need to understand that sometimes up is the only direction available.

For too long we’ve heard our doctors say “if you’re REALLY sick I’ll drive you to the airport.” We’re at the threshold of seeing this change forever.

Joe Trachtenberg, Naples

Retirement years enriched by neighbors

In the spirit of the holidays, I would like to give thanks to Naples for enriching our lives, by providing a small-town environment with a sophisticated, diverse community to spend our post-career years. My husband and I built a Neapolitan home 16 years ago. Ironic for a daughter of Southern Italian immigrants. We were fortunate to join our HOA with several longtime friends from Minnesota; hence built-in pals to enjoy retirement years in the sun. We are blessed to have neighbors from Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Canada, Germany, Belarus, Ukraine, Michigan, Illinois and more, each with vastly different backgrounds and life experiences. And yet, unlike much of this country, we respect, value and even celebrate our differences.

Neapolitan life, however, is not all well-tended gardens and golf courses, gorgeous sunsets and gourmet dining. Our city has its share of social and economic issues, all manageable; unlike our country, which is a mess. Our commander in chief blames the previous administration for COVID, inflation, supply chain snafus, immigration issues, Afghanistan, gas prices, you name it. Where is the guy who pledged to unite the country? And why is he coddled by most of the media? I mourn the demise of fair and balanced journalism and worry that too many rely on social media for "news."

Meanwhile, back in our 'hood, life is good. Grazie, Naples. Great choice for us.

Rita Schiavino Simmer, Naples

Moving to Southwest Florida? So is everyone else

Lee County is one of the fast-growing counties in Southwest Florida. This may be great news for developers and businesses, but for the environment this is a cause for concern. The demand for resources and land will dramatically increase as more and more people are moving to Southwest Florida. In addition, the health of the environment is at risk with increase of pollution, waste, fertilizer, etc. as humans crowd the local area. Ever since the beginning of the 20th century, rapid construction of tourist attractions, hotels, commercial buildings, etc. has bulldozed over Florida’s diverse land. In fact, a study conducted by 1,000 Friends of Florida, a nonprofit organization, predicts that 33.7 percent of Florida land will be developed by the year 2070. Wetlands, protected land, and crucial habitats are included in that 33.7 percent. Just this year, Florida purchased thousands of acres of land for conservation purposes; however, this land (consisting of wetlands) is also available for development with mitigation banking. So the land is for conservation but if someone pays the price they can destroy acres of a wetland and then begin construction?

We need county officials and local governments to ensure that the land labeled for conservation is actually being protected and preserved rather than used for agricultural or development purposes. Efforts need to be established now rather than later to regulate and limit development before we reach a point of overdevelopment on protected lands and crucial habitats.

Paige Pierpoint, Fort Myers

Generosity enables Neighborhood Health Clinic

We can never say it enough. For more than 22 years we’ve had the privilege to say "Thank you" countless times in response to the generosity we’ve received from our supporters who embraced the clinic’s mission to provide quality medical and dental care to those in need.

The scope and variety of charitable donations we receive is staggering and profound. Monetary gifts are gratefully accepted and necessary, although that is just the tip of the iceberg. Volunteer medical and dental professionals, ably assisted by an army of volunteer administrative and support personnel comprise the backbone of our organization, providing an array of quality health care services to clinic patients. Thank you.

Because of the generosity of our donors and volunteers, no patient pays for services. And since the clinic’s patients are looking for a hand up, not a handout, they donate -- if possible -- $20 per month for clinic overhead. There is never a cost for any services provided.

During this holiday season as we all gather together to celebrate with family and friends, on behalf of everyone at the clinic, I want to wish an especially grateful happy holidays to all our doctors, dentists, nurses, hygienists, technicians, non-medical administrators, staff and donors, whose generosity energizes the mission of Neighborhood Health Clinic. We couldn’t do the work we do without neighbors like you, helping us to help neighbors in need. Thank you!

Paul Jones, MD, Board Chair Elect, Neighborhood Health Clinic, Naples

County should shift more funds to food banks

Your article, “Food banks struggle to keep up” (Nov. 23), is a sad commentary on the priorities and values of our county commissioners and administrators. Lee County recently started allocating the $186 million coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Nonetheless, our food banks – a lifeline for many residents – are struggling to satisfy demand. How can this be?

Of the $186 million, the county allocated a meager $5 million towards assisting food banks. Yet here we are with a situation that cries for attention from our county. Obviously, $5 million is inadequate to deal with this situation. According to the article, food banks are asking residents for help with donations in spite of the fact that many are still feeling the negative impacts of the pandemic themselves. The county has the money. Is it too much to ask our commissioners to shift dollars NOW to directly help those families who are hungry this holiday season?

Our commissioners constantly boast that our county is thriving, yet families are still lining up for food to put on their table. There is something desperately wrong with this picture.

Charlotte Newton, Women For a Better Lee, Fort Myers

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Saturday, December 4, 2021